Working with Anxiety and Trauma through Embodiment 

Who this outdoor learning CPD course is for?

This outdoor learning CPD course is for:

• Outdoor learning practitioners
• Teachers

What you will learn

Topics include:

• Working with sensory preferences
• Embodiment and integration
• Recognising the importance of working with ourselves as well as our learners
• The crucial role nature interactions can play in supporting emotional regulation

During this course, we’ll call on current neurological understanding and you’ll try out new practical ideas. Also, you’ll reaffirm your knowledge of the emotional benefits of working in groups with nature

Learning objectives

The difference between grounding and centering (arriving for group experience going through body tensions and JUST noticing and bringing back to centre through breath. How do we help groups feel safe in their bodies in the place)

• Safety guidance for the session
• Behaviour is communication. Polyvagal theory and the five touchstones of somatic practice (we’ll work through these with various exercises)
• Locating feelings in our bodies and describing the physical sensation First, then naming the emotion (sit spot – emphasise how to approach sit spot)
• Importance of co-regulation: How does this resonate between brains and bodies?
• How movement and tuning into a place simultaneously regulate our bodies and feed the eight senses. Active exercise: Making body and sense sensation conscious. Also, we’ll use a handcraft activity and more significant tracking movements)
• Input on sensory processing, anxiety and trauma and behaviours. Also, the importance of a special safe space in the outdoors
• Working with stories in a therapeutic way
• Pebble meditation (‘handful of quiet’)
• Reflections. Also, how to work with embodiment practices and where you might introduce these practices into your sessions
• Review using a body metaphor

Study method

Onsite training course

Testimonials

Next available dates

What participants said about this CPD course

Will you use any of the exercises in your practice?

“Definitely going to use the ‘looking all around’ at the start of the sessions, as well as just breathing and quiet listening. I am going to look into the four-stone meditation too. This is a subject where the more you learn the more you realise you have no idea.”

“Since this session, I have suggested to the school I work with that I work with a couple of the children on a one to one basis so I can try some of these ideas in a Forest School environment. A couple of the children are really disruptive and violent in class. The forest school sessions and I will slowly bring in some of these ideas to see if it makes a difference, even if only small.”

Did you feel the session helped you/and or signpost to ways of embodying your own feelings?

“Very much so. I have been doing a lot of personal work on the inner child recently and it helped it make sense. I am trying to make sure that I am listening to my own feelings and where I am feeling the emotions since the workshop.”

Did you feel it started to equip you with ways of co regulating with the children you work with?

“Yes it has, however I feel that I have so much more to learn and actually maybe I feel less able, as it is something that has so much depth and I will worry about making things worse. But at least I feel that I can start to understand why and try to help the best way I can.”

Working with Anxiety and Trauma through Embodiment at Forest School

Why choose Circle of Life Rediscovery?

Circle of Life Rediscovery CIC has over 25 years of experience in training professionals and inspiring thousands of people of all ages and backgrounds into the outdoors in both the UK, Ireland, Portugal and SE Asia.
We are a leading organisation in nature connection and personal development. As such,we’ve received many grants and awards for our work with groups across different ages and backgrounds.
Our team also offers bespoke training. Get in touch to discuss your requirements.