In this training you will:

• Review and be assessed on your understanding and competency of the Guidelines for Teaching a WAE Trauma-Sensitive Yoga/Meditation Class as presented in Warriors at Ease Level 1.
• Review essential concepts regarding the neuroscience of stress and trauma as related to the role of a yoga/meditation teacher including:
  • Polyvagal Theory
  • Stress, trauma and the brain
  • Symptoms of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and Traumatic Brain Injury
• Review the concepts of Moral Injury and Post Traumatic Growth and learn a specific model to support healing and transformation.
• Yoga teachers will learn and practice trauma-sensitive asana sequence protocols and posture modifications which are suitable for able-bodied veterans and individuals with limited mobility.
• Meditation teachers will learn and practice trauma-sensitive techniques proven to be accessible, safe, and effective for a military/veteran population.
• Yoga and Meditation teachers will learn and practice teaching the WAE Health & Resiliency Practices (HRPs) and be guided on how to use HRPs in a class or workshop setting.
• Learn how to initiate, market, and grow a yoga and/or meditation program for warriors with the support of the WAE Teacher Network.
• Learn about key studies, emerging research, and initiatives within the Department of Defense and Department of Veterans Affairs which are helping to advance yoga and meditation in military and veteran communities.
• Practice iRest Yoga Nidra and other trauma-sensitive meditation techniques for self-care.

Prerequisites for Attendance

All Level 2 trainees must:

• Complete the Training Application 
• Have your Application Approved by Faculty 
• Fill out the Code of Conduct & Ethics, General Liability Waiver & Photo Release (optional).
• If you received a training scholarship you need to sign the Warriors at Ease Scholarship Agreement.
• Have a minimum of a 200 hour Yoga Teacher Training Education.
• Completed the Level 1 Warriors at Ease training through Yoga International.

*Note: If you took a WAE Level 1 training prior to March 23, 2018, you still must complete the Level 1 course through Yoga International. In 2018, we launched a new WAE certification model and Level 1 training. This new Level 1 course is an online, 30-hour, self-paced course that combines the lectures from four of our previous courses. At the end of the course, there is an online assessment. Upon the successful completion of the assessment, you will be issued your Level 1 Certificate of Completion. Please visit our website for further guidance on the current certification model: http://warriorsatease.org/how-to-get-certified/

To earn your Level 2 certification, you must:

• Attend all hours of the Level 2 Training
• Complete the reading and written homework assignments for Level 2
• Pass the Training Exercise (More details can be found on the “How to get Certified Page”)
• Provide documentation of the following:
  • 200 Hour Yoga Teacher Training Certificate of Completion
  • Level 1 WAE Certificate of Completion
  • Teaching Experience (Resume) Verification of at least 2 years of teaching experience OR at least 30 hours of teaching and a letter of recommendation from a teacher/mentor/student
  • Proof of personal liability insurance coverage
  • CPR certification

Homework Requirements

Upon the conclusion of the training, you will be assigned homework which will be reviewed by WAE faculty. On average, this homework takes trainees about three hours or more to complete. The assignments include suggested reading as well as written work designed to help you successfully take this work out into the community. 

In order for applicants to be considered for certification, homework needs to be turned in within 90 days of completing training. If homework is turned in after 90 days and before 6 months students will have to petition for reconsideration and be charged $200 (regardless of scholarship status). If homework is not turned in within 6 months the student will have to retake and pay for the training in full to be considered for certification (regardless of scholarship status). 

Documentation and homework assignments are submitted through the “Certification Application” located on a password protected page called “Level 2 Trainees” located under the Resources tab. Trainees will receive the password to gain access to the Level 2 Trainees webpage and the Certification Application in a post-training email. Or through the “Certification Application” located on the WAE Teachers mobile application in the “Level 2 Trainees” section.

Preparing for Level 2 Training

What to Expect:

While there will be some review of Level 1 concepts, the Level 2 training is largely a practicum, where you have the opportunity to deepening your understanding of the material, practice teaching with your fellow trainees and ultimately be evaluated on your understanding of the “Guidelines of Teaching a Warriors at Ease Trauma Sensitive Yoga Class” as presented in Level 1. Please take some time prior to the Level 2 training to plan for how you will teach a short class using these principles which can be found in the Level 1 manual that is available for download via Yoga International.

Suggested Reading:

Given the large amount of content involved in completing Level 1, we do not require additional reading prior to Level 2. However, after you’ve reviewed all the content of Level 1, we welcome you to explore our suggested reading list located here prior to and/or after the live training event. http://warriorsatease.org/suggested-reading

Contacts Us

You will receive additional information specific to your training site and course schedule once you are registered. In the meantime, if you have any questions, please contact Betsy Diller, our Registrar at reg@warriorsatease.org. We’re happy to assist you!

Important Notes

Participants in this training will review and practice how to integrate the WAE Guidelines for Teaching a Trauma Sensitive Class (as presented in the Level 1 training) into their teaching style in order to best serve the population they intend to support/are currently supporting. The teacher practicum involves a faculty evaluation and coaching (based on the WAE Guidelines) as well as peer mentoring.

For example:

• Yoga teachers serving those with limited mobility (such as amputees or individuals in wheelchairs) will focus on adaptive yoga/meditation practices.
• Yoga teachers serving an able-bodied population will focus on trauma-sensitive techniques that support resiliency, injury recovery and prevention, as well as performance enhancement.
• Meditation teachers will focus on how to effectively adapt the practice in which they’ve had formal training and experience to any military/veteran population as well as learn and practice additional techniques proven to support the health, healing and post-traumatic growth of warriors.

Continuing Education Units

Level 2 Training Events

Level 2 Payment Terms

Payment to Reserve a Spot in a Warriors at Ease Training 

In order for a participant to hold their spot in Level 2 training events, payment in full for the Warriors at Ease Level 2 Training is required within 7 business days of an approved Warriors at Ease Level 2 Training Application.

Refunds for Payments Received Before Application Approval 

• A full refund will be given if the refund is requested at least 45 days before the training event.
• A 75% refund will be given if the refund is requested at least 30 days before the training event.
• A 50% refund will be given if the refund is requested at least 15 days before the training event.
• No refund will be given if the refund is requested within 15 days of the training event.

Refunds for Payments Received After Application Approval 

• A full refund will be given if the refund is requested at least 60 days before the training event. 
• A 50% refund will be given if the refund is requested at least 45 days before the training event.
• A 25% refund will be given if the refund is requested at least 30 days before the training event.
• No refund will be given if registration is cancelled within 30 days of the training event.