How to Speak Somatically: The Neurobiologically-Informed Classroom with Denise Benitez

The body has its own wisdom. In yoga, we hear this phrase a lot and believe it to be true. But how do we learn to listen to the body, communicate with its innate intelligence and then convey this process to our students? How do we teach to this truth?

We can assume that at least half the students in any of our classes are struggling with something emotionally challenging. Often this is what brings them to yoga. We can focus on strengthening the body’s system for recognizing and regulating distress. You can “wire up” your class so your students’ bodies, and your own, become more resilient and less reactive.

In this workshop you will learn:

• An introduction to basic brain structures
• How muscles hold and release emotion
• How the skin, belly brain, and heart brain function in yoga practice
• The difference between right brain and left brain processing
• How implicit memory affects perception, sensation and impulse
• The polyvagal theory and why focused attunement with another person can shift emotional states
• The window of tolerance – the intensity of feeling we can experience while still maintaining a connection with practice or with another
• How yoga class can be a co-regulating environment
• How your non-verbal communication affects your students

Hours: 5.0 (includes 1.5 hours of practicum)

Tuition:

• $110 Early bird through Sept 16
• $125 Full price Sept 17 & after

This workshop is open to anyone, qualifies for Continuing Education Credits through Yoga Alliance, and is part of our 300-hour Advanced Teacher Training. To receive credit toward your SYA 300-hour Teacher Training, you must be enrolled in the program.

About the Teacher: Denise Benitez

Denise Benitez loves books, dogs, water, movement, dancing, poetry, and the tropics. You’ll find her classes informed by anything from her latest movement fascination to Jungian psychology, all of it anchored by her passion for kinesthetic discovery and wise movement that is sound and effective. Yoga has provided a soul purpos