Sorry, this page is no longer available
We may earn an affiliate commission when you visit our partners.
Course image
Jessica Fleming

Yoga, breathwork and meditation can be wonderful practices for people who are experiencing depression, anxiety and for those who are healing from past trauma.

Yoga can support individuals on a holistic level, this course will teach you how to use yoga, breathwork and meditation to create a felt sense of safety in the body and the mind.

When people are experiencing mental health conditions, their nervous system is often dysregulated and their brain is not able to function optimally, when yoga is done in a slow, mindful and rhythmic way, it can calm and settle the nervous system and allow the brain to operate well.

Read more

Yoga, breathwork and meditation can be wonderful practices for people who are experiencing depression, anxiety and for those who are healing from past trauma.

Yoga can support individuals on a holistic level, this course will teach you how to use yoga, breathwork and meditation to create a felt sense of safety in the body and the mind.

When people are experiencing mental health conditions, their nervous system is often dysregulated and their brain is not able to function optimally, when yoga is done in a slow, mindful and rhythmic way, it can calm and settle the nervous system and allow the brain to operate well.

This course will give you an overview of the nervous system, the brain and brainwaves and the effect that mental health conditions can have on the systems of the body and mind.

You will gain an understanding of mental health from both and Eastern and a Western perspective, we will discuss the ancient yogic view of mental health, known as the Gunas.

You will learn about what your students may be feeling during your yoga classes if they are experiencing depression or anxiety and how you as a yoga teacher can best support them.

You will learn how to run a trauma sensitive or trauma informed yoga class, you will learn how to avoid common trauma triggers when teaching yoga classes.

You are supplied with guided, sample yoga classes that have been specifically designed for people experiencing mental health conditions.

We will go over which breathwork practices are best for people who are experiencing mental health conditions, you are supplied with guided breathwork practices and printable PDF scripts for each practice so that you can guide your students through the practices easily.

When teaching meditation to students who are experiencing mental health conditions, this needs to be approached with some caution, you will learn why, we as teachers, need to approach meditation for people who are experiencing mental health conditions with some caution and what meditations are best to do when experiencing depression, anxiety and when healing from past traumas.

You will also receive a sample class plan and class tips.

This course comes with a 43 page printable workbook with all of the information from the course including print outs to use in your yoga classes.

This course is best suited to those who are already yoga teachers but is also suitable for any person who would like to learn holistic practices, such as mindful movement, breathwork and meditations, that can support individuals who are experiencing mental health conditions.

Enroll now

What's inside

Learning objectives

  • Learn how to guide yoga classes specifically for people experiencing depression and anxiety
  • Learn how to offer trauma sensitive yoga classes
  • Learn which breathwork and meditation practices are the most suited to people experiencing mental health conditions
  • Learn how mental health condition affect the nervous system and the brain and how yoga can support the body and mind to heal
  • Learn about the ancient yogic view of mental health

Syllabus

Introduction
Resources
Mental Health Anatomy And Physiology
Read more

Traffic lights

Read about what's good
what should give you pause
and possible dealbreakers
Focuses on using yoga, breathwork, and meditation to promote mental health and healing
Taught by Jessica Fleming, who has expertise in yoga for mental health
Provides guided yoga classes designed specifically for individuals experiencing mental health conditions
Helps students understand how mental health conditions affect the body and mind, and how yoga can support healing
Offers detailed information on teaching mindfulness practices and meditation to students experiencing mental health conditions
May be relevant to those interested in becoming yoga teachers or enhancing their knowledge of yoga for mental health

Save this course

Create your own learning path. Save this course to your list so you can find it easily later.
Save

Reviews summary

Comprehensive yoga for mental health training

According to students, this course offers a comprehensive and highly practical approach to teaching yoga for mental health. Learners frequently highlight its invaluable resources like sample classes, printable scripts, and a detailed workbook. The course provides a deep understanding of how yoga impacts the nervous system and brain, blending Eastern and Western perspectives effectively. Students particularly praise the clear guidance on breathwork and meditation techniques and the crucial focus on trauma-sensitive teaching, helping them create safer spaces. While generally well-structured and easy to follow, some experienced professionals desired more advanced discussions, and a few beginners found some terminology initially overwhelming.
Suitable for existing yoga teachers but may require basic yoga knowledge for beginners.
"While it says it's suitable for non-teachers, I think a basic understanding of yoga anatomy would be helpful before diving in."
"As a seasoned mental health professional, I was hoping for a deeper dive into certain topics. It's a great intro, but not as advanced as I'd hoped."
"The course is definitely geared towards teaching, which is what I needed as a yoga instructor."
"I'm not a yoga teacher, but I wanted to learn more for my own well-being and it delivered beyond my expectations."
The instructor is highly praised for clarity and compassionate guidance.
"Instructor explanations are empathetic and clear, making complex topics accessible and engaging."
"The instructor is fantastic – very knowledgeable and compassionate in her delivery of the material."
"I especially valued the clear distinctions between different breathwork techniques and their specific benefits for mental well-being."
Integrates Eastern and Western views with practical yoga applications.
"I found the modules on the nervous system and brainwaves particularly insightful... It really deepened my understanding."
"I appreciated the blend of Western and Eastern perspectives on mental health. The section on avoiding trauma triggers was extremely helpful."
"What an amazing course! It provided me with a comprehensive understanding of how yoga affects mental health."
"The emphasis on safety and regulation for the nervous system is a game-changer for me and my practice."
Provides highly actionable strategies and invaluable teaching materials.
"The sample classes and printable scripts are invaluable resources for teaching trauma-informed yoga. Highly recommend..."
"Absolutely essential for any yoga teacher. The guidance on breathwork and meditations for anxiety and depression is clear and practical."
"This course provided me with practical, actionable strategies to incorporate trauma-informed practices into my existing yoga classes."
"The workbook is a fantastic companion, making it easy to revisit key concepts and apply lessons effectively."
Some suggestions for additional interaction, demonstrations, or pacing adjustments.
"I would have liked a bit more interaction or case studies to deepen the practical application."
"While I appreciated the sample classes, I found myself wanting more in-depth practical demonstrations, perhaps with varied scenarios."
"I felt the pacing was a bit fast in some modules, but I could always rewatch to catch up."
"Some technical aspects of the video quality could be improved, but the content itself is excellent."

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Yoga Teacher Training For Trauma, Depression and Anxiety with these activities:
Review basic anatomy
Understanding basic anatomy helps students understand how yoga poses affect the body and how to practice safely.
Browse courses on Anatomy
Show steps
  • Review your notes from anatomy class or read a book or article on basic anatomy.
  • Focus on the major muscle groups and bones.
  • Use diagrams or images to help you visualize.
Review meditation techniques
Reviewing meditation techniques helps students refresh their knowledge and understanding of the different techniques used in yoga.
Browse courses on Meditation
Show steps
  • Review your notes from a meditation class or read a book or article on meditation techniques.
  • Practice different meditation techniques.
  • Focus on your breath and body sensations.
Practice yoga poses
Regularly practicing yoga poses helps students understand the foundations of yoga and build a strong foundation for their practice.
Browse courses on Yoga
Show steps
  • Find a quiet place to practice.
  • Start with simple poses and gradually progress to more challenging ones.
  • Hold each pose for at least 5 breaths.
  • Focus on your breath and body sensations.
One other activity
Expand to see all activities and additional details
Show all four activities
Watch videos on yoga philosophy
Understanding yoga philosophy provides students with a deeper understanding of the purpose and benefits of yoga.
Browse courses on Yoga Philosophy
Show steps
  • Find a reputable source for yoga videos.
  • Watch videos on different aspects of yoga philosophy.
  • Take notes or write down your thoughts.

Career center

Learners who complete Yoga Teacher Training For Trauma, Depression and Anxiety will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Reading list

We haven't picked any books for this reading list yet.

Share

Help others find this course page by sharing it with your friends and followers:

Similar courses

Similar courses are unavailable at this time. Please try again later.
Our mission

OpenCourser helps millions of learners each year. People visit us to learn workspace skills, ace their exams, and nurture their curiosity.

Our extensive catalog contains over 50,000 courses and twice as many books. Browse by search, by topic, or even by career interests. We'll match you to the right resources quickly.

Find this site helpful? Tell a friend about us.

Affiliate disclosure

We're supported by our community of learners. When you purchase or subscribe to courses and programs or purchase books, we may earn a commission from our partners.

Your purchases help us maintain our catalog and keep our servers humming without ads.

Thank you for supporting OpenCourser.

© 2016 - 2025 OpenCourser