A Virtual Training | November 8th, 2024 - April 19th, 2025

Deepen Your Practice, Transform Lives

The Center for Somatic Grieving offers a unique 200-hour grief-focused Yoga Therapy Teacher Training Program that is designed for certified yoga teachers and yoga therapists who are interested in supporting people through loss.

Join us on this profound exploration, where ancient wisdom and evidence-based techniques converge to create a nurturing space for healing hearts burdened by grief.

A Journey of Compassion and Personal Growth

Your Sanctuary for Growth and Healing

Join us for a sacred exploration into the heart of grief, where ancient yogic wisdom meets evidence-based techniques. In this training, you will learn how to facilitate CSG’s proven mindfulness-based, grief-focused curriculum, which supports you in fostering deep and meaningful relationships with your students as you hold a safe and empowering space for them to become more who they truly are.

The Path of Transformation

With the perspective that grief is a powerful catalyst for personal growth and change, this training will offer you the opportunity to dig deep within yourself, heal your wounds and gain greater insight into your personal experience of loss as you learn new tools and skills for supporting others.

Align with Your Heart’s Mission

If you're passionate about supporting others through grief, envision yourself as a transformative guide with the skills of a certified yoga therapy facilitator, and seek a comprehensive experience that combines the rich traditions of yoga with therapeutic practices for deep impact—then you've found your path. This training is meticulously designed for individuals committed to making a difference, eager to dive into their own depths of potential, and ready to assume the role of a compassionate mentor guiding others on their journey to healing and self-discovery.

Join us and become a vital part of a community intent on illuminating and transforming lives, one heart at a time.

What You’ll Gain from This Training:

Transformative Learning & Personal Growth

This training equips you with the skills to build deep, impactful relationships with your students, guiding them in a safe and empowering environment that nurtures their true selves. Embrace grief as a catalyst for growth and change, diving deep into your own experiences to heal, gain insight, and develop new tools for supporting others.

Deepened Understanding and Integration

This training goes beyond teaching skills; it's an invitation to personal transformation and self-awareness. Engage with your own grief story, undertake shadow work, and identify your strengths and areas for growth. Through practices like meditation, journaling, and personal reflection, you're encouraged to cultivate a deeper connection with yourself. Learn methods to support others in their healing journey, fostering a genuine connection and understanding between you and your students.

Comprehensive Curriculum

Our curriculum blends ancient yogic wisdom, mindfulness, and modern therapy techniques for comprehensive understanding and application in grief and trauma-informed yoga therapy. The 200-hour program includes classroom sessions, webinars, readings, reflective exercises, and a practicum where you'll lead a grief-focused group, gaining hands-on experience and instructor feedback to grow as a Mindful Grieving Yoga Therapy Facilitator.

Expert Guidance and Support

Our faculty, seasoned in both yoga practice and grief counseling, are dedicated to supporting you through your learning journey. Receive innovative grief support strategies, refine your teaching abilities, and enjoy personalized support throughout your training journey.

Bridging Healing with Business

In addition to the healing aspects of this training, we also provide insights into the business side of yoga therapy. You’ll gain the necessary tools, templates, and strategies for effective marketing and ethical promotion of your work, setting the foundation for a sustainable and impactful career in this field.

Cultivating a Supportive Community

Beyond the skills and knowledge, this journey is about connecting deeply with a community of like-minded individuals. You'll forge enduring personal and professional relationships, building a network of support and collaboration. This experience allows you to emerge as a proficient yoga therapy facilitator and become part of a collective dedicated to making a meaningful impact on the world through empathy, understanding, and shared human experience.

KIND WORDS FROM PAST STUDENTS

  • "This yoga therapy teacher training came along at the most divine timing, as all things do."

    Not only was it the continuation of my own grief process, but it was paramount for relevant happenings in my personal life at the same time. This training equips teachers and students the skills set to process a variety of changes and transitions in life with the complete self-inquiry that it entails. Training under a genuine and authentic teacher, such as Wendy, was an added gift to learn from her light that she passes on to be translated into our own.

    — Rena, Certified Mindful Grieving Facilitator

  • "This program is so beautiful and powerful."

    I feel so filled up by the process we went through. I loved being able to dive deep into my own grief and process while simultaneously learning to hold space for others. Our world needs this more than ever at this precious and fragile time. I'd highly recommend to anyone who feels called to hold space for grief to invest in this training.

    — Rebecca, Certified Mindful Grieving Facilitator

  • "We came together to share, grieve, cry, and begin to move forward in ways we had not experienced before. "

    We were able to share parts of ourselves that were hidden and too painful previously to feel, let alone recognize. Our group was able to experience this program because of a generous financial gift.

    — Certified Mindful Grieving Facilitator

  • "Wendy Stern is masterful."

    Wendy's knowledge has been priceless and all gained from real life in the field experience. This format works, it is safe, and it changes lives. The truth is we are all walking around with grief, most of it unprocessed due to the cultural standard here in the west. This is cutting edge work, bringing what most of us isolate and hide to the surface and into community. I feel my heart has been blasted open, I feel my own personal growth work has been elevated and I feel deeply committed and inspired to share this work with the world.

    — Willow, CeretifiedMindful Grieving Facilitaor

  • "Wendy creates a safe container that weaves participants together to create a supportive community."

    We were able to express ourselves and shift our feelings of grief through meditation, movement, personal growth work and sharing.

    — CSG Participant

Become a Beacon of Light

FOR THOSE WALKING THE PATH OF GRIEF

Whether you aspire to guide individuals, groups, or specialize in working with specific populations, our Mindful Grieving Yoga Teacher Training will equip you with the tools and wisdom to make a meaningful difference in the lives of others.

Interested? Schedule a free Information Session

Prerequisites for Enrollment

Before joining our program, candidates must meet the following criteria:

  • Yoga Teacher Certification: Completion of a 200+ hour yoga teacher training program, ensuring a foundational understanding of yoga practices and principles.

  • Personal Growth Work: A minimum of 25 hours dedicated to personal growth, which can include participation in workshops, private therapy sessions, retreats, or professional training courses. This requirement underscores the importance of self-exploration and personal development in the journey to becoming an effective facilitator.

Graduation & Certification Requirements

To graduate from our program and receive your certification, the following components are essential:

  • Out-of-Classroom Assignments: Engage in reading and writing assignments to deepen your understanding and reflection on the course material.

  • Reflection Papers: Submit papers that capture your insights, growth, and experiences throughout the training.

  • Daily Practices: Commit to daily meditation and yoga practices, fostering personal well-being and deepening your connection to the teachings.

  • Journaling: Maintain a journal to document your journey, reflections, and revelations during the course.

  • Peer Mentorship: Participate in peer mentorship, offering and receiving support from fellow trainees.

  • Six-Week Practicum: Complete a six-week practicum, applying your knowledge and skills in a real-world setting to facilitate yoga therapy sessions.

Upon fulfilling these requirements, graduates will receive a certificate qualifying them to facilitate Community Circles, and Mindful Grieving Programs spanning 6 weeks, 6 months, and 9 months.

This certification empowers you to make a significant impact through specialized yoga therapy facilitation in various community settings.

Schedule and Curriculum

Virtual classes will be held via Zoom

Fridays from 9:30 AM – 5:30 PM MST,
Saturdays & Sundays from 10 AM – 6 PM MST

  • November 8th - 10th, 2024

    Introduction to CSG’s Yoga Therapy Program:
    Focus on Personal Process & Mindfulness-based Grief Education

    • Philosophy & Guiding Principles of Community-Based Somatic Grief Work

    • Evolutionary Themes of Mindful Grieving

    • Format of CSG’s Signature Yoga Therapy Programs

    • Introduction to Group Facilitation - Group Dynamics & Sharing Guidelines for Yoga Therapy Programs

    • Body Scan Technique

    • Introduction to Shadow Work

    • Shifting the Culture of Grief

    • Dying: A Conscious Exploration with Willow Meili

  • December 6th - 8th, 2024

    Break down of Primary Skills: Focus on Guiding Key Components & Exploration of Grief Through Shadow Work

    • Grief as a Teacher & Exploration of the Four Bodies How to Facilitate Key Components of CSG’s Signature Yoga Therapy Programs including:

      • Dharma Talk

      • Centering Meditation

      • Group Facilitation

      • 4 Phase Asana

      • Integration Meditation

    • Advanced Group Facilitation & Guidelines

    • Learning your Triggers Embodying your Emotions Through Asana

    • Creating a Bridge Between your Practice and your Life

  • January 4th - 5th, 2025

    Grief in the Body: Focus on Asana & Dual Process Language from the CSG Perspective

    • Evolution of Identity Through Loss + Grief as a Catalyst for Change

    • How to Guide Dual Process Language

    • Creating Closure

    • Trauma Sensitive Yoga

    • Trauma in the Body + Physiology of Trauma with Dr. Arielle Schwartz

  • February 1st - 2nd, 2025

    Working with Teens + Specialty Populations + Practice Teaching Sessions & Feedback

    • Working with Specialty Populations

    • Mindful Connections Yoga Therapy Program for Teens with Nancy Gruskay

    • Personal Strengths & Learning Edges

    • Practicum Preparation & Teaching

    • Practice Teaching Session & Feedback

  • March 8th - 9th, 2025

    Business of Mindful Grieving + Seva, Inclusiveness & Social Equity + Practice Sessions & Feedback

    • Practicum Teaching

    • Marketing & Business Practices with Chelsea Brady of Rising Creative

    • Facilitating Community Circles

  • April 19th, 2025

    Graduation Ritual & Closing Circle

    • Q&A

    • Community Gathering

Our Faculty

Wendy Black Stern

LEAD FACILITATOR

Nancy Gruskay

COHORT LEAD

Laura Cummings

COHORT LEAD

Dr. Arielle Schwartz

GUEST FACULTY

Chelsea Brady

GUEST FACULTY

A Virtual Training | November 8th, 2024 - April 19th, 2025

Join us for 200 hours of comprehensive training that includes:

  • 200 hours of comprehensive training

  • Live classroom sessions and video webinars

  • Enlightening reading materials

  • Reflective writing exercises

  • Peer mentorship opportunities

  • Hands-on practicum experience

  • Personalized feedback from experienced instructors

  • Teacher Tool Kit for Yoga Therapy Facilitation

  • Certification as a Mindful Grieving Yoga Therapy Facilitator

Pay In Full Investment: $3,499

12-Month Plan: $305/month

Wendy Black Stern

Wendy is the heart and soul behind the Center for Somatic Grieving, where her mission is to support individuals through the transformative process of grief. Her journey into this profound work began with a personal tragedy—the loss of her son Noah—which led her to a path of self-discovery and a deepened commitment to helping others. Wendy, a resident of Boulder, CO, finds solace in nature, and her passion for travel, deep human connections, and live music has provided a backdrop for her personal growth.

With over 25 years of experience as a yoga student and teacher, Wendy's expertise lies in integrating yoga with grief support. She is a certified Phoenix Rising Yoga Therapist and instructor, with additional qualifications in yoga teacher training and Reiki. Her work is heavily influenced by the teachings of Ram Dass, Shiva Rea, Twee Merrigan, Shannon Paige, and Phoenix Rising Yoga Therapy.

In 2012, Wendy founded the Grief Support Network (GSN), a non-profit organization that emerged from her personal loss. After GSN, Wendy founded CSG, where she is dedicated to transforming how individuals and communities perceive, experience, and navigate loss, promoting a culture that embraces grief as an opportunity for growth and connection. Wendy's approach combines personal reflection, group sharing, and a grief-focused, somatic curriculum to guide others in their healing journeys​​.

MEET YOUR GUIDE

Not sure yet?

If you're looking to dive deeper into what the Mindful Grieving Yoga Teacher Training can offer you or have specific questions, we invite you to schedule a complimentary 30-minute call with Wendy. This call is a great opportunity to discuss your interests, any concerns, and how this training can meet your needs.

  • ★★★★★

    Having a safe and nourishing container to attend to my grief process and physical body needs has been profound and deeply healing for me.

  • ★★★★★

    My work with Wendy was nothing short of life-changing.

  • ★★★★★

    This is an incredible program, there is a new layer I shed off from my personal self into my growth and healing in every circle that I attend. I am so grateful to Wendy and her loving team.

  • ★★★★★

    This program has offered me the best opportunity to somatically experience my grief in a private way, while simultaneously feeling a greater connection to those around me.

Frequently Asked Questions.

  • The program is for certified yoga teachers and yoga therapists interested in supporting people through loss, and integrating yoga therapy into the healing process of grief.

  • Participants must have a 200+ hour yoga teacher certification and at least 25 hours dedicated to personal growth work, which could include workshops, therapy sessions, or retreats.

  • Skills for supporting others through grief, a deepened personal understanding of grief, a comprehensive curriculum blending yogic wisdom with modern therapy techniques, and insights into the business side of yoga therapy.

  • Topics cover somatic grief work, mindfulness-based education, trauma-informed yoga, shadow work, and practical teaching techniques. The program includes classroom sessions, webinars, readings, reflective exercises, and a practicum.

  • Yes, these include completing out-of-classroom assignments, reflection papers, daily practices, journaling, peer mentorship, and a six-week practicum.

  • It's a virtual training held via Zoom, with sessions on specified Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays at specified times MST.

  • Yes, graduates can facilitate Community Circles and Mindful Grieving Programs of various lengths.

  • The training offers expert guidance from experienced instructors in both yoga practice and grief counseling, along with a supportive community of peers.

  • If you're looking to dive deeper into what the Mindful Grieving Yoga Teacher Training can offer you or have specific questions, we invite you to schedule a complimentary 30-minute call with Wendy. This call is a great opportunity to discuss your interests, any concerns, and how this training can meet your needs. Schedule your call here: Schedule a Call with Wendy.

ENROLL TODAY

Fostering Global Connections in Mindful Grieving

With over 50 certified Mindful Grieving facilitators, the CSG teacher community is rapidly expanding. Over the past 3 years, we have certified facilitators in countless states throughout the US and in several countries throughout the world!  Our global community of teachers offers a rich, diverse learning community in which we can explore our cultural backgrounds and beliefs on living and dying and create a healthier, communal, and inclusive relationship to grief and loss.