Sakala School's Witnessing Beauty Yoga Teacher Training
Student Testimonials
I have been in my personal yoga practice for over 15 years and in my clinical practice for over 10 years. I've sought out and been interested in a yoga teacher training that would integrate my love of yoga and my clinical work as a trauma therapist for the past several years and found the Sakala program by happenstance. Immediately after speaking with Judy I knew this training was exactly what I had been seeking, however my experience went far beyond my expectations. I have learned professionally and personally through this process. I have the utmost gratitude for the comprehensive and integrative way that Judy presented the education and for the richness of the Sakala program that she has developed.
This can change and heal your life, and in turn, give you the tools to support that change and healing in others. Worth every investment of time and money. Judy's Witnessing Beauty Training is something that you will take with you for a lifetime in your heart, your soul and your soma.
I was so nervous to start this training as someone who dabbled in yoga in studios but mostly practiced at home. I had the false expectation of entering into a group of women who were legit yogis and could do handstands. It was the opposite- everyone was on my level which made it a safe learning environment and most importantly enjoyable. We were able to built authentic relationships which helped foster learning and growth throughout the training. I feel that Judy's technique in training is so unique in that it provides something others done (trauma informed) and she goes above and beyond to weave creativity through experiences into ALL classes! I am going to miss going to class so much!!!!
As a social worker I have always deeply believed in presenting myself as a learner. Judy, the Sakala School of Integrative Teaching, and the Witnessing Beauty Training are a perfect model of that. The program holds space for you as a professional and human, guiding you through a trauma-informed lens to integrate ethical and safe yoga practices into a clinical settings. It is through our own awareness and understanding that we can best meet others where they are and witness their strength, beauty, and resilience.
Judy is vastly knowledgeable, devoted, and passionate. I walked away with a more personalized set of tools for integrating trauma-informed concepts, and I am grateful for all I learned along the way. I discovered that trauma-informed yoga is people-informed yoga. And I am living proof that someone does not need to start this training as a self-identified yogi in order to gain insight, comprehension, confidence, practice, and ultimately build mastery into becoming a trauma-informed yoga therapist.
A year ago almost to the day I believe I began my Yoga Teacher Training. Just a month or two before that and likely I would have told you that is something I've never thought or probably will ever do. But if you're the same type of eccentric I am, a 200 hour nearly year long commitment is the type of thing you do in a fancy and make it work. And I'm glad I did. I would have stalled my progress and journey forward if I though too long and I think on some level I knew that. In a way, I was called even if it was through some level of unmindulness I was drawn to Sakala and for whatever reason what I would normally see as barriers seemed more like doors. I'm too curious not to open doors and so I did without looking back. Here I am now, yesterday not for the first time but for the first time that felt real I used what I learned. It was a group of 25 professionals, I had at most 30 minutes to utilize for the short drop in practices and I was experiencing one of my (least) favorite emotional dialectics Excitement and Worry. Through waves and waves of anxiety I needed what I learned more for myself than the people I was supposed to be easing. Each opportunity I had to lead them though I found myself regulating right along with them. I breathed with them and we learned together the power of the relationship between the teacher and taught. Never have I felt more relaxed, trusted, and in awe of the power of even simple connection. Sakala is the path I took to find that and I will continue to show my gratitude in the best way I know how by sharing what helped ease my soul with others through a format of kindness, good humor, and love.
This certification is as much about gaining knowledge as it is safety, exploration and an energetic connection to our teacher and peers. You will learn and grow from asking questions and being met with an honest and sincere reply to consider this answer or continue to explore what may feel more comfortable for you in the reply. Once you find your balance you will be able to embrace the fluidity of this journey and its ability to challenge you to dig deeper and connect to yourself. You evolve and find comfort and fascination in the unknown through exploring beliefs and history and navigating different branches of this world you may not have considered previously. All while guided by an empathic light who creates safety, awareness and a connection to ourselves and others through creativity, knowledge and experience.
Witnessing Beauty training is necessary for any clinician who wants to offer a long-standing healing modality for clients who have suffered from trauma, mood disorders, as well as anyone who has had an ACE score over 3. This training has given me the knowledge, confidence, and curiosity to be a better clinician. Witnessing Beauty will remain with me forever. Witnessing Beauty has inspired my literature review topic in my doctoral program where I am exploring the affects of trauma-informed yoga on adult survivors of transgenerational trauma. Judy facilitated her knowledge in a remarkable, spiritually-guided, and humble manner. The teachings about the about the body and yoga philosophy were incomprehensibly rich. I feel blessed to have had this opportunity, and I look forward to sharing this gift with the reentry community, in my private practice, and with others.
Being a student of the Sakala program is more than a learning experience for professional training purposes. Judy provides a safe environment for curiosity and exploration, her integrated teachings offer a full journey into yoga and mind-body wellness and healing. I looked forward to every class, and the insightful and creative ways we learned both in and out of the classroom/yoga studio. The program fostered a sense of community in the classroom and has a lasting imprint on your personal life and expand what you can offer for clients for top-down and bottom-up approaches through the integration of yoga in clinical care. It is a unique and hard to find program, comprehensive offering of neuroscience, clinical care, trauma-informed approaches, all aspects of yoga, and bio-psycho-social assessments that culminates in a very personal experience and professional growth and added skillset of integrating mind-body wellness and vehicle for post-traumatic growth.
Sakala's Trauma-Informed Yoga Teacher Training was such an immersive and transformative training. I learned not only about trauma and the experience of yoga within the trauma realm but about myself as a person and a therapist. I recommend this to anyone who is in the clinical field and is interested in bringing yoga into their practice. Judy is such a knowledgeable teacher that allows space for everyone and creates a comfortability with the topics and others in the class.
The Sakala program not only deepened my understanding of trauma informed yoga, and integrative healing as a whole, this program also provided me with the tools to support my clients in their integrative healing journeys in a supportive environment
This training is a must if you’re in the helping field and wanting to utilize holistic treatment for mind, body, and soul that truly promotes peace and balance while healing from trauma! This class is an experience not just a class.
For your own personal growth and empowerment, take this course, it may add years to your life.
Within the safe, nurturing environment of the community of classmates in my cohort, I discovered much about myself and experience true post traumatic growth. I discovered comfort in the wisdom of my crone. I wish to share that journey and help others find their wisdom as well. The teachers training created a safe space for growth and introspection. Elders need to discover safety in their bodies, bodies that are becoming unknown and sometimes unfriendly to them. My training will help to get the message of renewed self love to them.
I have practiced yoga for 18 years and utilized information about breathing practices in my clinical practice for the past 10 years. I have wanted to become a yoga teacher for the past several years but it hasn’t worked out for various reasons. I feel like our lives really do lead us down certain paths that we are meant to be on and Sakala YTT was where I was meant to be! Although I felt like I had significant knowledge of yoga asanas and breathing prior to entering, I’m impressed with how much more there was to learn.
I learned a lot about myself, why yoga has always been so healing for myself during difficult times, how to help my clients and use the ideas/concepts/poses in my clinical work, and most importantly how to be trauma informed in my teaching. Judy is brilliant and full of so much information to help you start your path as a yoga teacher, whatever that may look like.
This is an amazing journey, aside from just “yoga”, it teaches so many valuable lessons of the physical body, mind and spirit. It really delves deep into self awareness and our connectedness to others, nature and the universe and how we can all help heal each other. Judy Thompson is an amazing human! The thoughtfulness that she has put into the training manual and classes is outstanding! It is a beautifully balanced course that covers everything from the neuroscience, anatomy, Hindu Philosophy and all the poses, breath work and meditation all within the trauma-informed framework. It is a truly valuable experience that inspires, enlightens and enhances self-awareness that, you, in turn can share with your clients.
{Sakala School offered an} organized, hands on, multi-intelligence appreciation, learning style preference acknowledged, welcoming, safe atmosphere. Perfect timing. When the student is ready, the teacher appears. Thank you.
I was part of a very small cohort where I didn't think I was going to connect or have so much in common with anyone just because I always really just went into settings to take information in and listen. I did do this here but I also witnessed how much sharing became a big valuable part of the experience. I think that was very beautiful and challenging at times. Thank you Judy it was truly an Upanishad " sitting down near" an illumined teacher.
In the mental health field, it is often said for providers to practice self care, however, for me, it is always a difficult thing to do. The Sakala yoga teacher training program provided a safe space for me to not only practice self care but explore/reflect on things that were not serving me. I had the opportunity of being introduced to Dr. Gabor Mate who provided a new perspective on trauma. It helped with my own healing and provided knowledge to share that can help others as well. The Sakala yoga teacher training encourages self-growth and healing which provided me with the strength to continue to support others the best that I can in my role as a Mental health clinician.
{Witnessing Beauty Yoga Teacher Training} provides a meaningful approach to our work and offers a new and necessary tool for working with people on their healing journey.
This training is an amazing opportunity for professional and personal growth, which is paramount to the science and structure of clinical work with humans. I am a better human and social worker for having completed the course.
I enlisted in Witnessing Beauty for the concept of learning more about yoga- instead, I left with way more than I thought I would enjoy, plus a bonus of becoming a teacher.
One of the best decisions I made for the youth that I serve and for my own personal growth.