Cands is a licensed counselor and yoga therapist that specialises in trauma and mental health. She has supported many individuals one-on-one and on group therapy programs focused on the recovery from psychological trauma, and the physical health challenges that appear to co-occur with post-traumatic stress.

Cands is completing her Masters thesis on trauma-sensitive yoga in the South African context. This means that you are not only receiving training direct from Cands, based on many hours of personal and professional experience and training, but training that is also based on current world-class academic research in this field.

Cands is a licensed counselor and yoga therapist that specialises in trauma and mental health. She has supported many individuals one-on-one and on group therapy programs focused on the recovery from psychological trauma, and the physical health challenges that appear to co-occur with post-traumatic stress.

Cands is completing her Masters thesis on trauma-sensitive yoga in the South African context. This means that you are not only receiving training direct from Cands, based on many hours of personal and professional experience and training, but training that is also based on current world-class academic research in this field.

TSYFT-L1 (level 1) is for you if:

• You are curious about trauma-sensitive yoga and are just starting out.
• You’d like to deepen your introductory level knowledge of trauma and somatic approaches to trauma.
• You would like to try level 1 before enrolling in a more in-depth program.
• You would like to receive training that is evidence-based and rooted in the South Africa and broader African context.
• You would like to be eligible to be a facilitator on our group therapy programs and workshops.
• NB: this is an introductory qualification, and while we have many facilitators that go on to facilitate this modality successfully with a level 1 training – we would advise our level 2 training for those looking to open their own private practice in trauma-sensitive yoga. You will receive the title  RTP-F (Return to Presence facilitator, trained in our methodology).  

TSYFT-L2 (level 2) is for you if:

• You have some knowledge and trauma and somatic approaches to trauma, but would like to now take it deeper.
• You believe that this is an area you are interested in specialising in and / or offering alongside other services you offer.
• You are ready to invest time into a comprehensive training program.
• You would like to receive training that is evidence-based and rooted in the South Africa and broader African context.
• You would like to be eligible to be a facilitator on our group therapy programs and workshops.
• NB: You will receive the title RTP-AF (Return to Presence Advanced Facilitator, trained in our methodology) which will thoroughly prepare you to open your own private practice in trauma-sensitive yoga.

Our training is delivered in 2 levels. Both are conducted online and can be attended from anywhere you choose. Accessibility is important to us.

Trauma-sensitive yoga facilitator training – level 1 (TSYFT-L1) is our 20 hour, 6 week program. Trauma-sensitive yoga facilitator training – level 2 (TSYFT-L2) is our 50 hour, 4 month program.

Both are open programs, you do not need to have attended level 1 to attend level 2, and you do not need to be a certified yoga teacher or mental health professional to join us. Beginners and the simply curious are welcome!

TSYFT-L1 (level 1) is for you if:

• You are curious about trauma-sensitive yoga and are just starting out.
• You’d like to deepen your introductory level knowledge of trauma and somatic approaches to trauma.
• You would like to try level 1 before enrolling in a more in-depth program.
• You would like to receive training that is evidence-based and rooted in the South Africa and broader African context.
• You would like to be eligible to be a facilitator on our group therapy programs and workshops.
• NB: this is an introductory qualification, and while we have many facilitators that go on to facilitate this modality successfully with a level 1 training – we would advise our level 2 training for those looking to open their own private practice in trauma-sensitive yoga. You will receive the title  RTP-F (Return to Presence facilitator, trained in our methodology).  

TSYFT-L2 (level 2) is for you if:

• You have some knowledge and trauma and somatic approaches to trauma, but would like to now take it deeper.
• You believe that this is an area you are interested in specialising in and / or offering alongside other services you offer.
• You are ready to invest time into a comprehensive training program.
• You would like to receive training that is evidence-based and rooted in the South Africa and broader African context.
• You would like to be eligible to be a facilitator on our group therapy programs and workshops.
• NB: You will receive the title RTP-AF (Return to Presence Advanced Facilitator, trained in our methodology) which will thoroughly prepare you to open your own private practice in trauma-sensitive yoga.

As a licensed counselor and yoga therapist that specialises in trauma and mental health, with a strong public health background, it’s important to me that this trauma-sensitive yoga facilitator training is evidence-based, experiential, accessible and rooted in local context.

Evidence-based

This training progam is and will continue to be informed by current and world-class academic research in trauma, trauma-recovery and somatic approaches to trauma. Not all trauma-sensitive yoga is created equal, and it’s important to study those methods proven in research and clinical trials to be safe and effective for trauma survivors. We ensure we do now harm in this way.

Experiential

It is hard, if not impossible, to facilitate from a place of little lived experience. It is for this reason that this training program also has a strong component of self-reflection, and practical hours training (personal and facilitation practice). This is a training program that will teach you about yourself too, and promote your own personal growth. From this foundation, you are able to start facilitating highly effective, evidence-based trauma-sensitive yoga. 

Accessible

We appreciate the difficulty some students may face in traveling to and attending training, both in terms of cost and personal care responsibilities. For this reason our training is conducted entirely online and is self-paced. We have ensured the quality and integrity of the training while simultaneously keeping it at a level of financial and time investment that is accessible. You have 4 months to complete level 1, and 8 months to complete level 2. Scholarships are also available periodically, please ensure you are following us on Instagram and are on our mailing list to be notified of these. 

Rooted in local context

The South African Stress and Health Study found that the trauma exposure of the general population in present-day South Africa is approximately 78.3%. It is no surprise that South Africans are exposed to very high levels of trauma, that is higher than the global average. However, there is unfortunately limited research on trauma-sensitive yoga in the South African context. We are changing that! In this training, we are sensitive to the local context of our participants and their communities. We take international, world-class research and understand it through a local lens. This ensures effectiveness in our individual contexts, for our participants. 

As a licensed counselor and yoga therapist that specialises in trauma and mental health, with a strong public health background, it’s important to me that this trauma-sensitive yoga faciltator training is evidence-based, experiential, accessible and rooted in local context.

Evidence-based

This training progam is and will continue to be informed by current and world-class academic research in trauma, trauma-recovery and somatic approaches to trauma. Not all trauma-sensitive yoga is created equal, and it’s important to study those methods proven in research and clinical trials to be safe and effective for trauma survivors. We ensure we do now harm in this way.

Experiential

It is hard, if not impossible, to facilitate from a place of little lived experience. It is for this reason that this training program also has a strong component of self-reflection, and practical hours training (personal and facilitation practice). This is a training program that will teach you about yourself too, and promote your own personal growth. From this foundation, you are able to start facilitating highly effective, evidence-based trauma-sensitive yoga.

Accessible

We appreciate the difficulty some students may face in traveling to and attending training, both in terms of cost and personal care responsibilities. For this reason our training is conducted entirely online and is self-paced. We have ensured the quality and integrity of the training while simultaneously keeping it at a level of financial and time investment that is accessible. You have 4 months to complete level 1, and 8 months to complete level 2. Scholarships are also available periodically, please ensure you are following us on Instagram and are on our mailing list to be notified of these.

Rooted in local context

The South African Stress and Health Study found that the trauma exposure of the general population in present-day South Africa is approximately 78.3%. It is no surprise that South Africans are exposed to very high levels of trauma, that is higher than the global average. However, there is unfortunately limited research on trauma-sensitive yoga in the South African context. We are changing that! In this training, we are sensitive to the local context of our participants and their communities. We take international, world-class research and understand it through a local lens. This ensures effectiveness in our individual contexts, for our participants.

TSYFT-L1:

• Enrolment: Upon enrolling and completing payment, you will receive a personal details form and liability waiver.
• Prep week: Once this has been completed, you will receive your first manual insert. This contains all your preparatory material and your reading for week 1.
• Week 1 – 4: The first Friday thereafter you will receive access to your first module to watch, related homework to complete and your next set of reading material. Each Friday for 4 weeks you will receive the same as the above (module to watch, homework to complete and next set of reading material).
• Week 5 – 6: Once the homework related to the above 4 weeks has been completed, you will receive the details of your final homework assignment.
• You will have 4 months to complete all of the the above, from the date of your enrolment / payment.
• Consulting with Cands: The first Thursday of each month at 2pm – 3:30pm SAST is a consulting session with Cands. You can attend this to discuss any of the training material in-depth should you wish, it is not compulsory. To ensure you extract the most value from this, booking in advance with your questions you’d like to discuss is required to attend. 
• The 20 hours are made up as follows: 8 hours theory training (video modules are accessible for full duration of 4 months), 6 hours of homework training (1 – 2 hours of homework per/week for the first 4 weeks), 4 hours practical training, 2 hours final assignment (final written and practical homework assignment, you will receive feedback within 4 weeks of submission).
• All components need to be completed within 4 months of enrolment / payment for you to graduate succesfully. 

TSYFT-L2:

• Enrolment: Upon enrolling and completing payment, you will receive a personal details form and liability waiver.
• Prep week: Once this has been completed, you will receive your first manual insert. This contains all your preparatory material and your reading for week 1.
• Week 1 – 8: The first Friday thereafter you will receive access to your first module to watch, related homework to complete and your next set of reading material. Each Friday for 8 weeks you will receive the same as the above (module to watch, homework to complete and next set of reading material).
• Week 8 – 16: Once the homework related to the above 8 weeks has been completed, you will receive the details of your final homework assignment.
• You will have 8 months to complete all of the the above, from the date of your enrolment / payment.
• Consulting with Cands: The first Thursday of each month at 2pm – 3:30pm SAST is a consulting session with Cands. You can attend this to discuss any of the training material in-depth should you wish, it is not compulsory. To ensure you extract the most value from this, booking in advance with your questions you’d like to discuss is required to attend. 
• The 50 hours are made up as follows: 16 hours theory training (video modules are accessible for full duration of 8 months),12 hours of personal practice and homework training (1 – 2 hours of homework per/week for the first 8 weeks), 20 hours practical training, 2 hours final assignment (final written and practical homework assignment, you will receive feedback within 8 weeks of submission).
• All components need to be completed within 8 months of enrolment / payment for you to graduate succesfully. 

Training Program Structure

TSYFT-L1:

• Enrolment: Upon enrolling and completing payment, you will receive a personal details form and liability waiver.
• Prep week: Once this has been completed, you will receive your first manual insert. This contains all your preparatory material and your reading for week 1.
• Week 1 – 4: The first Friday thereafter you will receive access to your first module to watch, related homework to complete and your next set of reading material. Each Friday for 4 weeks you will receive the same as the above (module to watch, homework to complete and next set of reading material).
• Week 5 – 6: Once the homework related to the above 4 weeks has been completed, you will receive the details of your final homework assignment.
• You will have 4 months to complete all of the the above, from the date of your enrolment / payment.
• Consulting with Cands: The first Thursday of each month at 2pm – 3:30pm SAST is a consulting session with Cands. You can attend this to discuss any of the training material in-depth should you wish, it is not compulsory. To ensure you extract the most value from this, booking in advance with your questions you’d like to discuss is required to attend. 
• The 20 hours are made up as follows: 8 hours theory training (video modules are accessible for full duration of 4 months), 6 hours of homework training (1 – 2 hours of homework per/week for the first 4 weeks), 4 hours practical training, 2 hours final assignment (final written and practical homework assignment, you will receive feedback within 4 weeks of submission).
• All components need to be completed within 4 months of enrolment / payment for you to graduate succesfully. 

TSYFT-L2:

• Enrolment: Upon enrolling and completing payment, you will receive a personal details form and liability waiver.
• Prep week: Once this has been completed, you will receive your first manual insert. This contains all your preparatory material and your reading for week 1.
• Week 1 – 8: The first Friday thereafter you will receive access to your first module to watch, related homework to complete and your next set of reading material. Each Friday for 8 weeks you will receive the same as the above (module to watch, homework to complete and next set of reading material).
• Week 8 – 16: Once the homework related to the above 8 weeks has been completed, you will receive the details of your final homework assignment.
• You will have 8 months to complete all of the the above, from the date of your enrolment / payment.
• Consulting with Cands: The first Thursday of each month at 2pm – 3:30pm SAST is a consulting session with Cands. You can attend this to discuss any of the training material in-depth should you wish, it is not compulsory. To ensure you extract the most value from this, booking in advance with your questions you’d like to discuss is required to attend. 
• The 50 hours are made up as follows: 16 hours theory training (video modules are accessible for full duration of 8 months),12 hours of personal practice and homework training (1 – 2 hours of homework per/week for the first 8 weeks), 20 hours practical training, 2 hours final assignment (final written and practical homework assignment, you will receive feedback within 8 weeks of submission).
• All components need to be completed within 8 months of enrolment / payment for you to graduate succesfully.