Yoga Vacation ProgramJanuary 20 — 23, 2026
2026 Trauma Symposium
Dr. Arielle Schwartz, Brett Cotter, and Michelle Lepak
An Integrative Exploration of Recovery, Regulation, and Renewal
This powerful symposium brings together leading voices in trauma healing for an immersive exploration of the body, mind, and spirit’s innate capacity to recover, transform, and thrive. Through diverse yet interconnected approaches—ranging from therapeutic yoga and somatic practices to presence-based awareness and deep emotional release—you’ll gain new tools and perspectives to support trauma recovery and post-traumatic growth.
Together, we will explore how trauma is held in the body and how it can be gently and effectively released through practices that activate resilience, expand consciousness, and restore connection to self and others.
Topics include:
- Applied polyvagal theory in therapeutic yoga: Learn how to support nervous system regulation through breath, movement, and mindful awareness.
- Somatic therapies for trauma recovery: Explore how body-based practices help discharge trauma, promote safety, and rebuild inner trust.
- Resilience and post-traumatic growth: Understand how adversity can become a gateway to wisdom, strength, and transformation.
- The Four Frequencies of Presence: Access Spacious, Grounded, Compassionate, and Transcendent Presence to gently meet and process trauma.
- Felt Sense awareness and protective consciousness: Discover how the body holds trauma and how to listen, respond, and invite healing from within.
- Communicating with parts of the mind: Learn compassionate dialogue techniques to integrate fragmented aspects of self.
- Lenses of Awareness: Develop the capacity to shift how you perceive your inner experience and expand your conscious presence.
- Emotional release and reconnection: Access core emotional freedom and return to your source of joy, clarity, and peace.
- Training in grounding and mental clarity: Strengthen your ability to stay centered, calm, and focused—even in the face of emotional turbulence.
This symposium offers a rare opportunity to experience cutting-edge trauma therapies alongside spiritually-informed healing modalities, all within a safe, compassionate, and deeply supportive container.
Whether you’re a therapist, healer, yoga teacher, or someone on a personal journey of recovery, you’ll leave with practical tools, embodied wisdom, and a renewed sense of possibility.
Come as you are. Leave with greater clarity, connection, and a deeper trust in your own healing path.
Schedule:
January 20: Evening Satsang – Arielle Schwartz
January 21: Noon Workshop – Arielle Schwartz; 2pm Workshop – Michelle LePak; Evening Satsang – Brett Cotter
Janaury 22: Noon Workshop – Brett Cotter; 2pm Workshop – Arielle Schwartz; Evening Satsang -Michelle LePak
Janaury 23: Noon Workshop – Arielle Schwartz; 2pm Workshop – Brett Cotter; Evening Satsang – All Panel Q&A
Offered as 4 satsangs and 6 workshops (subject to change).
The presentations associated with this Yoga Vacation Program begin with an 8pm satsang on the first day of the program and conclude with an 8pm satsang on the last day of the program. Click here to read more about the Yoga Vacation Program details and view the ashram schedule for yoga classes and meals during your stay. We suggest you arrive at least one day prior to the start of your program for the optimal experience.
Arielle Schwartz, PhD, CCTP-II, E-RYT is a licensed clinical psychologist, certified complex trauma professional, EMDR consultant, and Kripalu-trained yoga teacher. A leading voice in the field of trauma recovery, she is internationally recognized for her integrative, mind-body approach to healing and her ability to make complex psychological concepts both accessible and deeply human.
Arielle is the author of seven influential books, including The Complex PTSD Workbook, EMDR Therapy and Somatic Psychology, The Post-Traumatic Growth Guidebook, and her most recent title, Applied Polyvagal Theory in Yoga. Her work blends the latest research in neuroscience with the wisdom of somatic psychology, yoga, and mindfulness-based practices, offering a comprehensive framework for trauma recovery and emotional resilience.
As the founder of the Center for Resilience Informed Therapy, Arielle specializes in applied polyvagal theory—helping clients and clinicians understand how the autonomic nervous system shapes mental and physical health. Her therapeutic approach weaves together relational therapy, EMDR, parts work, somatic practices, and therapeutic yoga to restore balance, safety, and connection from the inside out.
Brett Cotter is the award winning author of The Suicide Prevention Family Handbook, 3 Keys to Managing PTSD, and The Stress Is Gone Method. He has 25 years experience helping clients process the most traumatic events of their lives. Brett has taught in Fortune 500 companies, hospitals, schools, military bases, the VA, and holistic centers such as the Omega Institute, Kripalu, Himalayan Institute, New York Open Center, Tibet House US, A.R.E. Center of New York, Dharmakaya Center, and Sivananda Bahamas. Brett serves as the trauma expert for Meditation University’s teacher training program, as a Diplomate with the American Academy of Experts in Traumatic Stress, and trains peer specialists in his suicide prevention protocol. Brett’s programs are accredited by the International Mindfulness & Meditation Alliance and his breathwork is certified by the American Institute of Stress.
Michelle Lepak, LCSW is the developer of Presence Psychotherapy, a spiritually grounded approach to trauma treatment that integrates somatic practices, mindfulness, and emotional healing. Her work has been published in the Journal of Integrative Psychotherapy and the International Journal of Trauma Care, reflecting her commitment to deep, holistic therapeutic care.
Michelle has served as clinical associate faculty in the Department of Psychiatry at the University of Pennsylvania and is currently on faculty at the Omega Institute. She has led trauma-focused trainings for mental health professionals at Rutgers University and the National Institute for the Psychotherapies.
She is extensively trained in several body-based trauma modalities, including Somatic Experiencing, EMDR, and AEDP, and is an approved consultant in Internal Family Systems (IFS), offering guidance and supervision to therapists integrating IFS into their work.
In addition to her clinical training, Michelle has been a dedicated meditator for over 30 years and is a certified Level 1 restorative yoga teacher. Her approach draws on both psychological insight and spiritual presence, offering a compassionate, integrative path to healing for individuals and professionals alike.
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