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What Is Trauma-Informed Yoga Teacher Training? Choosing the Right Program
tawow, welcome! Dr. Melissa Jay (she/her) here! Many of us fall in love with yoga because it helps us feel more grounded, present, and connected. Yoga teacher training is an invitation to deepen personal practice, gain meaningful skills, and build community through shared growth. More and more students are searching specifically for trauma-informed training, because safety, accessibility, and inclusive care are essential to creating spaces supportive of healing and connection. If you’re drawn to yoga psychology, mental health, and community care, trauma-informed training might be exactly what you’ve been looking for. This blog explores what yoga teacher training is, why trauma-informed education matters, and how to choose a program that aligns with you and your values. What is Yoga Teacher Training? Yoga teacher training is a structured program that helps you better understand the history, philosophy, and practice of yoga. In most yoga teacher trainings, you will learn postures, breathwork, meditation, anatomy, and teaching skills. The most common entry point is the 200-hour yoga teacher training, recognized internationally. From there, many graduates continue into a 300-hour advanced training, which expands both knowledge and confidence in guiding others. What Is Trauma-Informed Yoga Training? Trauma-informed yoga recognizes that every nervous system has a story. I often say that we know that we are offering trauma-informed care, when everyone is honouring what is unique to them. Trauma-Informed Yoga prioritizes choice, ongoing consent, cultural responsiveness, and care within relationships. Instead of correction and performance, trauma-informed teaching is rooted in curiosity, collaboration, and attunement. This approach reduces the risk of harm and supports sustainable healing, on and off the mat. It is also valuable for those who want to bring yoga into mental health work, schools, community spaces, or health-care environments where people may be navigating complex experiences. What Makes Our Trauma-Informed Yoga Trainings Different? At Canmore Counselling’s Trauma-Informed Yoga Psychology School, our approach is guided by: • Trauma-Informed and anti-oppressive values • Integration of yoga psychology and nervous system science • Small cohort learning with faculty support • Two-Eyed Seeing and decolonial teaching methods • Online, accessible delivery for a global community • Yoga Alliance registered certifications at the 200-hour and 300-hour levels • Our IAYT-accredited Yoga Therapy Diploma includes all of our Yoga Alliance certifications We honour the roots of yoga, Indigenous to South Asia and parts of Africa, and the diverse lived experiences of those who practice yoga. How Long Does Yoga Teacher Training Take? Timelines can be flexible depending on your training: • 200-hour trauma-informed training, completed in as little as two months • 300-hour advanced training, completed in as little as four months • Yoga Therapy Diploma over two years, which includes practicum and mentorship Each option includes supportive learning structures designed for folks who work full-time, have kids or teens, wear multiple hats, and who live across time zones (including overseas!) How Much Does Yoga Teacher Training Cost? We offer a variety of payment options, including tuition specials, early-bird rates, alumni savings, and payment plans. Costs vary depending on level and format, for example: • 200-hour tuition starts at $2,200 • 300-hour tuition starts at $3750 All of our tuition costs are available in Canadian funds. Why Choose a Trauma-Informed YTT? People choose trauma-informed training because yoga should feel emotionally and physically safe. This approach honours boundaries, supports nervous system regulation, and embraces accessibility. It recognizes that yoga is for every body, not just the flexible or the familiar. Graduates feel prepared to teach in both wellness studios and community care environments. How to Prepare for Yoga Teacher Training A meaningful first step is simply reflecting on what draws you to the practice. You do not need to be advanced or perfect... we practice connection over perfection. We invite you to bring your curiosity, willingness, and a desire to show up for yourself and others with care. If you feel called to learn in a community that values healing, psychology, and solidarity, a trauma-informed program will be a great fit. Learn More and Connect With Us Choosing a yoga teacher training that aligns with your values is an important decision. We are here to support your process. You can learn more about our online trauma-informed programs and reach out to Alex, who is awesome and happy to answer questions as you choose the right path for you: [email protected] Frequently Asked Questions Is online yoga teacher training respected? Yes. As long as the school is properly registered and provides high-quality learning, online training can offer strong mentorship and supportive community. Our programs are Yoga Alliance registered and include an IAYT-accredited pathway. Do I need to be an advanced yoga practitioner to become a teacher? Not at all. If you are ready to deepen your yoga practice and offer trauma-informed yoga in your community, welcome! Can yoga teacher training support personal healing? Many students find training deeply supportive for their own growth. It is not therapy, but it can strengthen self-awareness, regulation, and confidence. What if I want to integrate yoga into helping professions? This is our specialty. Many students are mental health professionals, educators, or community workers who want to support clients by integrating yoga and mind-body-spirit-heart practices. And, you do not need to work as a helping professional to join us. Thank you for being here!
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 We have explored Secure Attachment, Anxious Attachment & today we will start our attachment theory studies by exploring:
Avoidant attachment Let's start here... Dr. Marlene Moretti created the concept of an attachment coin 🟡which offers us a visual reminder that our attachment is made up of two primary needs: Connection & Independence While anxious attachment leads people to seek out closeness and connection, avoidant attachment centers on the other side of the attachment coin, distance and independence…. because any emotional or physical closeness or connection is too distressing 😢 What the experience of Avoidant Attachment can be like, across the lifespan: 🔹Distant/Unavailable: I am going to keep you at an arm’s length away. 🔹Fearful: If we become emotionally & physically connected, you will abandon me. 🔹Aloof: I am going to act like I don’t even care. There has been lots of research done about what’s happening with heart rate ♥️ While people with an anxious attachment style physically appear more anxious, people with an avoidant attachment pattern were found to be much more anxious, internally. Remember: Attachment is not about love, it is about security'. ~ Roger Solomon Reflective prompts, for you: ✨How do you feel? ✨What do you need? ✨How can you support yourself in meeting your needs? ✨How can others support you in meeting your needs? Soothing Strategy: Be gentle with yourself. Consider who you can reach out to, including a counsellor. Would love to hear your reflections, below! Attachment theory is used by our counselling team and guides the Trauma-Informed Yoga Psychology School. We take a deep dive into exploring how our experiences in relationships impact the ways we show up in the world. ♥️ Dr. Melissa Jay  We have explored Secure Attachment & today we will start our attachment theory studies by exploring:
Anxious attachment Anxious attachment is experienced as the fear of losing the relationship can lead to a heightened need for closeness and distress that any independence will lead to loss. What Anxious Attachment can look like, across the lifespan: 🔹Fearful: ‘I am so deathly scared that I will lose you, that I am going to keep you close’. 🔹'I am going to try and keep you close in ANY way I can think of'. 🔹Any independence feels like am going to be alone and abandoned. 🔹Any independence is too scary. 'Attachment is not about love, it is about security'. ~ Roger Solomon Reflective prompts, for you: ✨How do you feel? ✨What do you need? ✨How can you support yourself in meeting your needs? ✨How can others support you in meeting your needs? ✨Consider who you can reach out to, including a counsellor. Would love to hear your reflections, below! Attachment theory is used by our counselling team and guides the Trauma-Informed Yoga Psychology School. We take a deep dive into exploring how our experiences in relationships impact the ways we show up in the world. ♥️ Dr. Melissa Jay  Attachment theory is one of the theories that guides the Trauma-Informed Yoga Psychology School. We take a deep dive into exploring how our experiences in relationships impact the ways we show up in the world.
One of my attachment teachers along the way, Roger Solomon, has said: 💗 Attachment is not about love, it is about security. #micdrop Mary Ainsworth’s research identified that there are four attachment styles, which we are going to explore, together. Starting with Secure Attachment 💗 Secure attachment: When we are in a relationship where we feel safe and secure, we are then able to go off into the world and be independent and do the things that we want to do on our own. Because we know that when the bumps and bruises happen… (because they will…) (because life is hard….) … that we can come back, and that person is going to be there. To collect us. To hold us. Secure attachment is comfort in experiencing both closeness and independence, in the relationship. Consistency in the relationship nurtures our sense of safety and security, in relationships. Reflective prompts, for you: ✨What does security, in relationships, mean to you? ✨What does safety, in relationships, mean to you? ✨What does safety or security feel like, in your body? ✨Perhaps there are times when you have felt safe & secure in a relationship... This might be a therapist, a friend, or someone else... we need only one person to support us in deepening our sense of safety and security. ✨Lean-into those who collect and hold you, when life feels hard. Would love to hear your reflections! These teachings are an integral part of our Trauma-Informed Yoga Psychology School teacher trainings and our Counselling Team's approach! ♥️ Dr. Melissa Jay |
About this Blog:I’m Dr. Melissa Jay, a registered psychologist, yoga therapist, and educator. Archives
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Dr. Melissa Jay is an Indigenous, nehiyaw-Métis member of the Métis Nation of Alberta. The primary location of Canmore Counselling and Trauma-Informed Yoga Psychology School is located in Chuwapchipchiyan Kudi Bi (translated from Îyârhe Nakoda as “shooting at the willows”), colonially known as Canmore. We are grateful to be located on Treaty 7 territory and the current and ancestral lands of the Îyârhe Nakoda (Stoney Nakoda), which includes of the Bearspaw First Nation, Chiniki First Nation, and Goodstoney First Nation, as well as the Tsuut’ina First Nation and the Blackfoot Confederacy, including the Siksika First Nation, Piikani First Nation, and Kainai First Nation. This is also the home to the Rocky View Métis District 4 within the Battle River Territory. We recognize all Nations who continue to nurture these lands, and we are dedicated to uplifting Truth, language, and culture as essential to right relations. As an act of reconciliation and commitment to decolonization, we are committed to the TRC's Calls to Action.
At Canmore Counselling, we are also privileged to be yoga students, practitioners, and guides. Our offerings centre on the root of yoga as Indigenous to South Asia, and we are grateful to learn from and amplify the South Asian practitioners and teachers whenever possible. We are grateful for the eight limbs of yoga, as taught by Patanjali. It is a joy to walk alongside our incredible alumni of the Trauma-Informed Yoga Psychology School as they create opportunities for care, connection & curiosity within their communities.
We believe wholeheartedly that trauma-informed care requires commitment to community, social justice, decolonization, anti-oppression, and anti-racism. Thank you for being here :)
At Canmore Counselling, we are also privileged to be yoga students, practitioners, and guides. Our offerings centre on the root of yoga as Indigenous to South Asia, and we are grateful to learn from and amplify the South Asian practitioners and teachers whenever possible. We are grateful for the eight limbs of yoga, as taught by Patanjali. It is a joy to walk alongside our incredible alumni of the Trauma-Informed Yoga Psychology School as they create opportunities for care, connection & curiosity within their communities.
We believe wholeheartedly that trauma-informed care requires commitment to community, social justice, decolonization, anti-oppression, and anti-racism. Thank you for being here :)