If you would like to know more please contact Nikki directly via email: admin@yogafocus.co.uk or visit: www.yogafocus.co.uk/professional-training/  

Yoga Focus has been running Yoga Therapy Foundation modules annually since 2017. It is led by Nikki Jackson, who is the director of the 580 hr Professional Training Course in Yoga Therapy accredited by The British Council of Yoga Therapy.  

Nikki has worked in NHS as both a yoga therapist and occupational therapist, since 1991 particularly in area of Mental Health. Vicky Arundel leads on the Anatomy and Physiology aspect of the course.

Vicky is a specialist Yoga Therapist in Musculoskeletal conditions and has extensive trainings in Myofascial Release, Chronic Pain Therapy and Somatics.

This Foundation course is also the Stage One training of the full 580 hour yoga therapy course. This enables you to apply to be a fully qualified professional yoga therapist at the end of the module.

The Stage Two course comprises of 550 hours of seminars, weekend trainings and week retreats at the Mandala Ashram, South Wales. Training venues are in countryside settings to reflect Nature connections which are at the heart of this yoga therapy training course.  

Nikki’s teachings are compassionate based first and foremost. She is influenced by the Dharma having trained as a Mindfulness for Health and Chronic Pain Teacher through Breathworks and having trained in Tibetan healing yoga in Dharamsala, India .Trainings emphasise kindness at the heart of the healing process with emphasis on vihara (lifestyle management) and the natural processes of life,   which are explored throughout the course as a valuable part of the recovery process. 

The approach taught is ‘person centred’ as opposed to ‘one cure fits all’ and trainees will learn to be more adept and creative in using different models of practise suitable for assessing and evaluating the needs of individual clients and the health condition they are suffering from.  

Each day will consist of exploring Yoga Therapy for conditions such as:

·       Mental Health

·       Cardiovascular and respiratory

·       Spinal and Musculo-skeletal 

·       Elderly

·       Cancer

·       Neurology

Trainees will:

·       Gain further knowledge of a variety of physical and mental health conditions

·       gain confidence and understanding in the principles behind yoga therapy and how it differs from yoga teaching

·       enhance skills and develop tools in a variety of safe yoga therapeutic practices specific to individual’s particular health needs

·       improve confidence in assessing, implementing and evaluating a variety of conditions through detailed case studies

·       learn how to hold and support clients as they unravel the causes behind their health condition

·       develop compassionate communication skills related to the client’s needs whilst maintaining professional boundaries

·       gain further experience in using a variety of yoga therapy models for the therapeutic process such as: koshas, kleshas, ayurveda, gunas, chakras 

·       improve knowledge, through on-line seminars, of the anatomy and physiology pertaining to medical conditions explored

Trainees are required to:

·       attend a minimum of 80% of the course trainings which includes 6 full training days with option to be on line or in person and 6 on line seminars

Assessments for this course include:
Formal:

·       written: complete assessment quiz for each A and P seminar 

·       observation: engage in discussions and collaborative exploration of case studies

Informal:

·       participate in orientation quiz for each condition

·       engage in reflective diaries for home practise

·       research topics further and share in group discussions and via WhatsApp group

·       demonstrate chosen appropriate practices for the group

Graduates will receive a certificate from the British Wheel of Yoga and will be awarded 30 CPD points

Course Dates:

A & P seminar: Thursdays 6-7.20pm: 
19th March,  9th April, 30th April, 21st May, 11th June, 2nd July

Training Days: Saturdays 9.15 -4.15pm: 
21st March, 11th April, 2nd May, 23rd May, 13th June, 4th July