Why We're Here
Trauma-informed principles were first introduced in healthcare settings, specifically around informed consent and body respect, and it is only in the recent years that this paradigm has started trickling down to the world of fitness and movement professionals. This is to be celebrated.
As a society, we cannot ignore the impact of trauma on individuals and groups; for somatic and movement professionals, it is even more critical for us to be up-to-date with the latest trauma research, and how it reframes our teaching approaches.
A trauma-sensitive and/or trauma-informed approach is often found in more clinical settings, where the probability of increasingly complex forms of trauma may be higher than in other spaces. This is not the case for many of our general fitness and movement classes.
Our trauma-awareness approach considers the context in which most movement and fitness professionals find ourselves in: non-clinical, wellness/fitness-focused spaces, with medium to larger-sized group and/or individual settings.
As a society, we cannot ignore the impact of trauma on individuals and groups; for somatic and movement professionals, it is even more critical for us to be up-to-date with the latest trauma research, and how it reframes our teaching approaches.
A trauma-sensitive and/or trauma-informed approach is often found in more clinical settings, where the probability of increasingly complex forms of trauma may be higher than in other spaces. This is not the case for many of our general fitness and movement classes.
Our trauma-awareness approach considers the context in which most movement and fitness professionals find ourselves in: non-clinical, wellness/fitness-focused spaces, with medium to larger-sized group and/or individual settings.
Additionally, we need to consider contextualising trauma-awareness within the wider discourse of decolonisation. Decolonisation serves as a framework for us to critically examine the colonialist nature of numerous trauma theories today, and invites us to consider a country's culture, as an important lens from which to view and practise our teaching skills.
The majority of research supporting trauma-sensitive modalities centres the Western experience (e.g. veterans returning from the Vietnam War), and much of the scholarship continues to be found in the USA, Europe and Australia. Given the absence of coverage on Asian and Eastern cultures, we have found ourselves having to reconsider some of these approaches, in order to be more nuanced and accessible. We believe that in doing so, we can better foreground trauma-awareness in fitness and movement spaces, in ways that also honour local and cultural needs.
The majority of research supporting trauma-sensitive modalities centres the Western experience (e.g. veterans returning from the Vietnam War), and much of the scholarship continues to be found in the USA, Europe and Australia. Given the absence of coverage on Asian and Eastern cultures, we have found ourselves having to reconsider some of these approaches, in order to be more nuanced and accessible. We believe that in doing so, we can better foreground trauma-awareness in fitness and movement spaces, in ways that also honour local and cultural needs.
Training Details
COURSE BREAKDOWN
This Yoga Alliance accredited training adopts is fully in-person with some self-study. We will prioritise in-person interactions for hands-on practicums, peer teaching and deliberative discussions.
100% attendance and completion of modules is required for graduation.
VENUE HOST & PARTNER
idō Studio
51 Cuppage Rd, #05-08, Singapore 229469
Click here for map.
DAYS/TIMES
| Day | Dates | Time |
|---|---|---|
| TBC | 4Q2025 | 8am - 6pm |
Syllabus
1. Understanding Trauma
- Current theories & relevant research
- Applied Polyvagal Theory in movement spaces
- Key pillars of Trauma Awareness
- Group safety in class settings
2. Power & Abuse
- Why do we need to talk about power?
- Understanding power dynamics in the teaching/learning space
- Words matter: the importance of language and how we use it
- Case studies
- Red flags: cult(-like) dynamics and how to notice / move away from them
3. Decolonisation in Practice
- TA & recognition of identities
- Cultural appropriation & decolonisation in yoga, pilates and other movement/wellness spaces
- Intersectionality & its significance within the wellness and movement community
- Reflective practices
4. Teaching Methodology & Practicum
- Cueing
- Class design and sequencing
- Hands-on assists
- Peer teaching
Lead Trainers
DEWI CHEN
(she/her)
RYT200,RPYT,
CD/PCD(DONA),GGS CPPC,SpBCPE,BRM Pro
Dewi Chen (she/her) Dewi is a certified yoga teacher, teacher trainer, manual therapist, and doula. She was the founder of Terra Luna Yoga, Singapore's first trauma-aware yoga and movement studio. Her calling in to the world of trauma-informed practices began as a personal journey at first, having been subject to abusive teachings and sexual assault within the yoga community. She then undertook more professional trainings in the field, from Trauma-Sensitive Yoga, Clinical Applications of Polyvagal Theory, Perinatal Mental Health, and several other related workshops.
Her yoga certifications are in Hatha Yoga, Yin Yoga, Pre/Post-natal Yoga, Restorative Yoga, Well-Woman Yoga & Therapy, Yoga Nidra, and Kids & Family Yoga. Outside of yoga, Dewi is also trained as a Barefoot Training Specialist® and BARE® workout instructor.
Drawing inspiration from her own experiences and her love for applied physiology, Dewi is a trained manual therapist and bodyworker. Seeing the body through a therapeutic lens not only aligned with her philosophy on trauma-awareness, it provided the necessary tools on how best to offer hands-on assists in movement classes.
Jennifer Tan (she/her) has been in education of various kinds for the past 19 years, from more academic settings, to CrossFit coaching and Yoga teacher training. Specific to yoga, she has taught various styles, trained in specialised areas such as applying accessibility and trauma awareness to the teaching sphere, and eventually placed much of this learning in her teaching and training of Restorative Yoga; this has nourished Jen’s eight-year-long (and counting) relationship with her teacher, Judith Hanson Lasater, who she assists both in-person and online.
Complementary to her teaching years lies her experience in curriculum development, which has recently culminated in the co-writing/leading of a 200h Yoga Teacher Training, and the writing/leading of a 50h Restorative Yoga Teacher Training. Thanks to her own journey of unlearning, these trainings increasingly seek to bring to the forefront topics such as intersectionality and the importance of decolonising our movement practices.
All of Jen’s classes are invitational and curiosity-driven, with the hope of finding ways to move and rest our bodies with confidence and compassion.
JEN TAN
Jennifer Tan (she/her)
E-RYT200, RPYT, FRCms, Advanced Relax and Renew® teacher, Yoga for All, Trigger Point Therapy®
Tution & Refund Policies
TUTION FEES
The regular fees are $850 SGD.
Early bird fees are $700 SGD.
100% payment must be made to guarantee enrollment. Payment can only be made via bank transfer.
REFUNDS
The programme will not give any refunds or credits after enrollment is confirmed. As training spaces are limited in number and by the hired venue, we ask that you ensure your availability to attend before committing to the course financially.
The programme reserves the right to cancel any training before it begins. In that case any payments applicants have made will be refunded in full.
