This article offers essential information about MVP's new offering, our Somatic Healing Certification.

The program is designed for individuals who wish to explore the practice of somatic healing, improve their current skills, and integrate somatic healing practices into their wellness and health services.

Upon completion of this certification, participants will gain the necessary techniques and tools to facilitate healing and transformation in a one-on-one client setting.

Table of contents:

• Program Details
  • Instructor
  • Live Office Hours
  • Practicum
  • Continuing Education Credits
• Tools & Techniques
  • Somatic Healing Practices
  • Cognitive Techniques
  • Distinguishing Factors

Program Details

The Somatic Healing Certification program in an online, self-paced course. Click here to register!

Instructor

Michelle Young, MVP's CEO and Lead Trainer brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise in the field. Michelle has undergone extensive and qualitative C-IAYT Yoga Therapy Training, including Somatic healing. She has trained with internationally recognized body workers such as Leslie Kaminoff and Richard Miller. Michelle's practical experience includes applying somatic healing techniques in clinical settings and collaborating with licensed professional counselors and Doctors of Organizational Psychology.

Live Office Hours

The program has access to Live Somatic Healing Office Hours. In these office hours, you can connect with our Lead Trainers to ask questions. 

Practicum

To ensure you gain practical experience, the Somatic Healing Certification program includes a practicum component. During this phase, you will work with a client for 4-6 weeks, which involves an initial intake session, follow-up sessions, and an overall write-up and recommendation.

Throughout the practicum, you will be required to take session notes, conduct initial assessments, create a customized plan aligned with the client's somatic healing goals, and develop tangible measures of progress.

Continuing Education Credits

This course counts for 100 CEUs with Yoga Alliance & IAYT, the International Association of Yoga Therapists. 

Techniques & Tools

Somatic Healing Practices

• Pranayama: Breathwork exercises that enhance body-mind connection and promote relaxation.
• Body Awareness through Physical Movement: Techniques that cultivate a deeper understanding of the body and its sensations through mindful movement.
• Reaction/Response Variable: Strategies to help clients regulate their reactions and responses to different stimuli.
• Progressive Muscle Relaxation: A technique to systematically relax muscles and reduce tension.
• Somatic Self-Adjustment: Practices that enable clients to make subtle adjustments to their body posture and movement for enhanced well-being.
• Somatic Holding Exercises: Techniques that involve gentle holding or positioning of the body to facilitate relaxation and release.
• Hands-on Adjustments and Assists: Skillful touch-based techniques used in a therapeutic context.

Cognitive Techniques

In addition to the somatic practices mentioned above, the Somatic Healing Certification program incorporates cognitive techniques that leverage the mind-body connection. These techniques, similar to iRest, Yoga Nidra, and Pratipaksha Bhavana, engage both the conscious and unconscious mind in the healing process.

Distinguishing Factors

It's important to note that while our Pranayama & Breathwork Certification and Trauma-Informed Certification cover related practices, the Somatic Healing Certification program has its unique focus and distinctions:

• Pranayama & Breathwork Certification: While there may be similarities between breathwork techniques taught in the Pranayama & Breathwork Certification and the Somatic Healing program, the application and context differ. Somatic Healing emphasizes 1:1 work with clients.
• Trauma-Informed Certification: Our Trauma-Informed Certification primarily focuses on teaching groups, such as yoga classes, with trauma-informed approaches. While somatic healing practices may also be trauma-informed, the Somatic Healing Certification is tailored for 1:1 work.