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Welcome to "The Language of Yoga" podcast, hosted by Becca Schmidt, E-RYT500/YACEP, a 20-year veteran yoga instructor. Prepare to take your yoga teaching skills from average to extraordinary as Becca shares her wisdom, experiences, and practical tips for helping your students find a transformative journey of self-discovery.
In this podcast, we'll delve into the art of using language to cue and connect. Discover the power of vocal tone, volume, repetition, and even the beauty of silence and stillness. But that's not all – we'll also explore the impact of incorporating class themes such as the Chakras, the Yamas and Nyamas, the elements of fire, water, and air and many more.
By embracing these themes, both you and your students can tap into the magic of metaphor and visualization. Imagine guiding your students to embody the grounding energy of the root chakra or incorporating the principles of the Yamas and Nyamas for ethical decision-making on and off the mat. Themes add depth and richness to your classes, allowing your students to connect with the natural forces within themselves.
Throughout the podcast, Becca will share invaluable insights, personal experiences, and practical tips on seamlessly integrating words, vocal qualities and themes into your instruction. Whether you're an experienced teacher seeking to revitalize your classes or a curious beginner diving into the depth of yoga, "The Language of Yoga" is here to empower and inspire you.
Becca: [00:00:00] Welcome to the Language of Yoga. I'm your host, Becca. Well, today's guest, Alberta Dearing, has a really beautiful story to tell. So I'm glad you're here listening with us. You know, a lot of yoga teachers are generalists. They teach at the local yoga studios or the gyms or community classes, but not Alberta.
My guest today teaches trauma informed yoga. And she also serves as the director of development for a nonprofit called Kula for Karma Orlando. Welcome Alberta.
Alberta: Thank you, Becca, for having me here today. It means a lot.
Becca: Great. Well, before we get into the mission and vision of Kula for Karma, I always ask my guests, it's sort of an icebreaker question. What do you, you remember about your first yoga class?
Alberta: My first yoga class has been full circle for me. I walked into the studio with a [00:01:00] Hatha yoga class. I felt like, why am I here? Do I belong? It was my first time being in a yoga studio. And as I stood there, there was this unspoken feeling of community. So I continued to flow with some ease and of course some challenge, and then at the end of the class, I felt like I really belonged.
It was this beginning of what's next, and when I have that feeling, a lot may unravel, and it did.
Becca: From your first class. Did you have a seed planted in your heart that maybe this is something you would want to do as a vocation?
Alberta: I think that seed in my heart, the knowing that there was more and wanting to be open to the possibilities
Becca: I love that.
Alberta: Mm [00:02:00] hmm.
Becca: get into what Kula for Karma is. Tell us, , first of all, what Kula for Karma means and a little bit about the vision and the mission of this organization and what you do there.
Alberta: So I am the director of development for Cooler for Karma. Kula is community, karma, service to others. And their mission is to bring therapeutic yoga, mindfulness, into populations challenged with mental health trauma and addiction. It's a 19 plus year non profit that has been serving these populations at risk use, homelessness, LBGTQ, prisons, hospitals.
Becca: What is your definition or what is the definition for trauma informed yoga?
Alberta: Trauma informed yoga, when you think of it as helping communities, populations [00:03:00] with a feeling of safety, a self regulation in, in different arenas where the student needs that direction or that mindfulness or the community.
of peace, of what can they do to get beyond the addiction or the recovery that they need.
Becca: Let's go to a class that might be held at a juvenile detention center. Describe what that class might look like.
Alberta: When I think about myself teaching at the juvenile detention centers or others, we come and we read the room. They're separate, so the boys are in one class, girls separate. And together we lead the [00:04:00] class in a manner where they feel, , safe. And we create this space, a safe space with movements that are trauma informed, as mentioned, those that don't trigger, those that are aligned.
Try this on. What about this? Remember, this is your body. Do what you want. If you don't, we can do another pose. It's all up to you. There's no have to's and, it's very powerful.
Becca: the class typically more asana or is it more meditation? What does that
Alberta: I think there is a collaboration or a planning of keeping it fun. These children have been through a lot, trauma, and together we outline a space where they're feeling Well, this is fun. Or we have music like they love rap music [00:05:00] and they move to that. We get into meditation.
We could get into partner yoga. , at the end, the Shavasanas are. Incredibly powerful, sometimes you don't expect that, but many a times when you return to the youth group and ask them how was that for you or share that, they may say peace begun with me or I slept better or can we do that again? Oh, I love that pose.
Can we do that? So it's that, , shaping it in a way that, yeah, We could lean in from class to class and them wanting to come back for more.
Becca: , you mentioned that one of the first opportunities for teaching was at a juvenile detention center. So, did you request that, or was it just sort of something they needed some help on, and you were at the right place at the right time, and how did that go?
Alberta: I love that question because one, it lights me up. I was [00:06:00] certified as a teacher at my studio and my first teaching was at Orange County Jail for 30 women, a mandatory class. I looked at them and mind you at, . In trauma training or teacher training, I was petrified, public speaking, standing up in the front of the room, and there I was in front of these 30 women.
I found my voice that day. I found my voice. I connected. I am a survivor of domestic violence. And that moment, that truth of what could I do next went back to the yoga studio of I, there's something more and that I feel myself getting choked up here. There is definitely more. I then began to volunteer at the juvenile detention center.
And while I was there, Major Mathena came to me and said, you know, Alberta, the Code of Misconduct has dropped here significantly with the yoga and I look, [00:07:00] I was like, he said, what can we do? I had just started with Kula for Karma at the time and let's put a proposal together. I went in my car. I called the leaders.
We put the proposal three weeks later. Our funding was provided for four juvenile detentions at a number of 40, 000. He called me and I will never forget that moment. So that was the beginning from volunteering to Expanding into trauma informed yoga for the youth groups.
Becca: So what did those programs look like? Were they, , once a week, were they, ,
Alberta: Three times a week. Three times a week. And then we had more funding, and then I was asked, I became very connected with the key leaders in Tallahassee. And I got a call, and she had asked, Can we bring the programs to all 20 juvenile detention centers? [00:08:00] Absolutely
Becca: the state of Florida? That's
Alberta: all throughout Central Florida. I mean, I don't want to take all your time because then I launched many other programs with the success of those programs nationwide.
Um, so it was an incredible realities that it was so much needed and that obviously science based programs with a youth group were effective. And I was hearing it right
Becca: mean, that really warms my heart because, , sometimes we teach and we don't always know, first of all, we don't even know what landed and, , we don't always have the opportunity to get that. profound or immediate feedback. So , I'm real excited about that for
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Becca: you. Tell me more about the whole concept of trauma informed yoga and for teachers who maybe are new at, at teaching yoga and they want to be [00:09:00] more informed.
The world is changing a lot, a lot. And I think all of us who are teaching need to know Truly what trauma informed yoga is, can we identify it with a student? Do we ask, do we look at nonverbal cues? How do we know if there is, there might be 5 people in our room who we need to be cautious on trigger words, , trigger poses.
So help us understand this sort of in a little bit bigger picture for. Let's say that the average teacher who's teaching at a studio, a gym, or outdoor classes.
Alberta: That's a good question because I think it's important to understand and be trained with the essential trauma informed language. And without it, when you walk into maybe a juvenile detention or [00:10:00] maybe a studio, you The truth is, the question is, who here is carrying that trauma? Well, we don't know that.
PTSD, anxiety, past traumas. So knowing the language of the essential therapeutic language would be, how does this feel for you? Maybe try this on. How about this variation? Oh, I don't want to. That's fine. Be still. That's, Purposeful to reading the room as you walk in, if they're anxious in a studio, maybe adapt a style that would be a fit for those students, or if they're just not wanting to be a part of the practice.
Well, then let's get into some movement. Let's get into more essential language.
Becca: People come to yoga for all kinds of reasons. And I think as of late, we [00:11:00] have more and more students who are referred. Go to yoga. This might be from their counselor or from their doctor or even from a friend, go to yoga and that will help you with your anxiety or your fears. So we don't always know if that's the caveat for them coming into our classroom.
Is there anything specific we can look for or just be sort of hypersensitive to who might be carrying a little bit bigger load than the next person?
Alberta: That question is really important because every individual in a space in a studio or ever or wherever it is may be carrying trauma that we're not aware of. So being sensitive to the language of teaching that class, it's critical. We don't know if we're going to trigger the person down dog that right there may not be the fit.
So also having an understanding of. the [00:12:00] population at a studio, you may have other individuals who are there for the purpose of, I have anxiety. I need to move. I'm feeling, I know it's going to be better for me.
So fitting that in, in a way of the, our class of mindfulness of movement of the breath work, and then perhaps adding in other. Asanas or, or poses that will be a fit for everyone in the room. And I think that goes to back to trauma inform essential language. Having that as part of the, training is essential because I don't think when I'm in a studio or practicing elsewhere that that language is used.
Becca: And, you know, it makes me think. The way we teach, we use special language for somebody who might have a shoulder injury or, , really [00:13:00] rough time with their knees. So we're always adapting, we're modifying, we're finding, , these contraindications sort of are obvious because typically people will say, Oh, I have a rod in my back or, , I had shoulder surgery six months ago, so I'm protecting my shoulder.
, in the context of trauma, people aren't coming up to us and saying, Hey, , I suffered abuse. I have been dealing with, , some traumatic things I'm, , without a, a place to live. They don't always come up to us and talk to us about that.
Everybody could be carrying some kind of trauma into the class. All right, you mentioned trauma, , poses rather that we should be cautious of. Can you name a couple poses that might be triggers for people who, let's say, who have suffered sexual abuse? 11. 5.
Alberta: a good example. , I have one teacher who was teaching [00:14:00] at Harbor House, which is a safe house for domestic violence here. I'll, I'll elaborate more on that. , and she, the student, she was, , it wasn't down dog, it was tabletop. And I was, notified by the administration there that she was so triggered that they were very concerned about her.
So that's how serious knowing different triggering postures was for her, not to say that's going to be for every someone in trauma, but it's very critical to know that that may be a trigger and modify as necessary. And I did see this particular student again, survivor, and she spoke to me and that it's real time when you hear it, understand it.
Again, it's critical [00:15:00] to know what poses are in a fit in a studio or wherever you may teaching.
Becca: And just like with injuries, like a shoulder injury or knee issues, you give them choices. And I, I use the word, if this feels safe for you,
so is there an example of what we can say, let's say with some of the poses that we tend to use all the time, , table you mentioned or downward dog, certainly happy baby, some of the poses that seem to show up in a lot of classes. How do we as. Informed teachers give alternate poses. What, what kind of language would maybe be something that would just roll off the tongue?
Like do table, or if it feels better for you, what, what do you use Alberta?
Alberta: Choice, giving them the choice and letting them know from the beginning of the class, these poses, these [00:16:00] practices, these movements, may not work for you. And I see you, I get you, and I'm here to lead you in different, asanas or poses, they understand it more as poses, that will be a fit for you. If this doesn't work for you, we'll try this on.
If this doesn't, if you prefer you could be in child's pose, or you could be in Shavasana, you're still getting the benefit of the pose. If it's not comfortable, you have a choice, a body choice.
Becca: love the word choice, because for some people who may have dealt with a lot of trauma, they may feel like they have not had a lot of choice in their life. So this is a safe place. This is where you have a lot of choices. This is where the goal is to feel joy, comfort. Are they? Mm
Alberta: absolutely. And that's the purpose of why you had mentioned, , some people come for, you [00:17:00] know, a shoulder pain to sleep better. Well, there's a lot of students who come because they are in trauma and they want to be present in a class setting. And when we use the right essential language, it makes a world of difference.
Becca: How can we make this training more mainstream required? How can we make sure tens of thousands of people who are getting certified, how can we make sure that they are informed, better informed with the traumas that they may encounter in their students?
Alberta: Well, I think first it starts with leadership. Okay, Yoga Alliance. Is it a requirement? Well, it wasn't in mine and that's fine, but because I'm doing what I'm doing and I'm leading with trauma informed. It's all my populations nationwide. So I'm a teacher. I'm a leader. And I think that that's [00:18:00] critical moving forward in the, , where we are collectively with mental health to have that be a requirement.
It's so we don't even have to think about it. It's just part of the practice. We're trained to show up that way
Becca: one of the areas of growth I've seen over the past, I would say, 10 years or so in, in teacher training programs is This idea of, can I touch you or can I, would you rather me not touch you? And some studios might use a card or a clothespin or a sticker that gives a teacher,, access to give them a shoulder rub or a little sign that says, Nope, I am not interested in being touched.
And I think that's been a really good idea, but I think we could take that a little bit farther
is it eye contact? Is it proximity? Is it smiles? Is it [00:19:00] using their name? What, what are some of the other. , ways that we can make someone feel very safe, very comfortable, , part of the community without touch.
Alberta: That's a very interesting question because I think, you know, we go, everyone loves a shoulder touch maybe and some don't. So it's again, back. to choice. I think what I like to utilize at the end of a class is one book. It's called Journey to the Heart. And when I was at the Orange County Jail, um, I would bring that book and the student, they're all students, they don't have titles, right?
They're students, read from that book. And then I have chills right now. And I get emotional because They share what they're getting, and collectively, the other women would share. So you bring that into Survivors Domestic Violence [00:20:00] Journeys to the Heart, which I like to read. And they share that. And it becomes this.
So that's what we do. We don't have to touch.
Becca: I love that. Everyone's the student and everyone's the teacher. Wonderful. So here's a question I asked, , in one of the recent podcasts is. , there are a lot of tough times. , I mentioned just the hurricanes, the fires, the natural disasters. There's a lot of political discord. There are a lot of people that we, , meet daily that maybe we, we disagree with.
How do we as yoga teachers show up,, and support all communities?
Alberta: Time. I mean, when we think about what we could do, the truth of the matter is that old saying, it takes a village. And the reality of what's going on in the world and storms, et cetera, it's that. Creating [00:21:00] this space, it's not about, it is about making change, but as an individual, when we show up and embrace the tools, I like to call wherever I go, whether it's prisons or domestic violence facilities, a toolbox.
So, we go into the toolbox and we take out. What will help us self regulate because it's difficult to show up and not be real. We need to be real. We need to be present. We need to continue to serve as we do, but then we need to serve ourselves. Like what tool? Oh, okay. This is what I need to do today. I need to Meditate.
Oh, okay. This is going on. Oh my Lord, there's fires now. What about that? So it's the practice, the practice that each of us know that we could utilize and continue to do what we do in, in real time.
Becca: [00:22:00] Let's transition over to a program that I'm so excited about, your sound baths. Just walk us through, help me explain to our listeners how magical that is. So tell us what happens in your sound bath
Alberta: Well, first I'm happy you came and experienced that. I have to acknowledge a dear friend and we co teach together. Her name is Teresa. She's certified in so many areas and. It's been an honor, and we'll be, our fourth sound bath is this Saturday, and we have waitlists already, so who'd have known? And it's at my home studio, so there was a trust there.
The invites go out, obviously it's not out public, but it's people you know, and those people want to come, and then these people want to come, and it's just really grounding. It's, with all of these questions, it's what we need right now. What do we need? So we start with a Deep [00:23:00] intention, what's that intention into breath work into movement and then the bowls begin these beautiful sounding vibrations and then the gong begins and then the bowls we go back to that and it just continues into this flow of vibration, this flow of deep relaxation.
Some have, , Shared that their chronic pain was less, or they slept better, their sleep patterns improved. Stress, anxiety, past traumas, all through this practice, all through this synchronicity of community.
Us in this one space, my smile is so big, it's just so incredible, captivating, and then we go out to the fire pit. We blow whatever is into our hands, and we feel that, and we look into the [00:24:00] fire, and we release it. Following, we come into, this is all like a slow motion, right, and then we come inside, and we have tea.
And whoever wants to stay for tea and commune, they do. And I think out of all of the questions, this is what I know I need and there's gratitude. It's full circle. There's strength in this and it's so empowering to have this outreach for oh, so many in the community.
Becca: My experience was that it was very shifting for me, but it was also very safe. It was, . You can opt in or opt out, you can sit by the fire, you can stay for tea, and it was beautiful. And I hope that that's an area that you can expand because you and Teresa are both so gifted in, in doing [00:25:00] that program.
What is in the future for you, Alberta?
Alberta: Well, I'm taking a stand for those unheard who have not found their voice. I've found my voice for those in doubt or fear. You know, I'm here to challenge ageism and leave a legacy of change and as a speaker and as an advocate.
My mission is to ignite hope with domestic violence, mental health struggles, and I'm an empath, so I get emotional as I speak. I feel this in my bone. Mental health struggles, addiction, and my voice says, I got you. You are not alone. Together, we create change. And yes, we can.
Becca: [00:26:00] Alberta, that was very impactful and I hope Anyone who's listening to the podcast today will maybe rewind that, listen to it a couple of times because Alberta, certainly she's amazing. She's gifted, but we all have the opportunity to fight, , for what we believe in , , and help make that shift.
Be brave, be powerful. Thank you, Alberta. You gave us such great insight, wonderful stories, good information about how we can do better to teach those who are dealing with, , trauma, how we can look for it and how we can just show up stronger and better. Thank you for being here.
Alberta: Thank you for having me.
Becca: I hope you enjoyed today's show and I hope you'll want more information about how you can, as a yoga teacher. [00:27:00] Be really informed about people who might come to your class with some trauma, , just to be a little bit better at recognizing who you might serve better. So you can reach out to Alberta. I will have her email in the show notes and she'll also recommend a few books for you.
. If you would like to jot me a note, let me know what you liked about the show. Or if you have any suggestions on who I might have on future shows, please reach out to me at Becca at blue moon dot yoga. I really appreciate you listening.