Intro to the nervous system & yoga

A short & accessible training for yoga teachers & practitioners who want to explore polyvagal theory, breath & Somatic awareness

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Understand the Body’s Language of Safety & Connection

10-HOUR CPD | Self-Paced Immediate Access
Yoga Alliance CPD (10 Hours)

About this training

This short CPD and taster course gives yoga teachers and dedicated practitioners a clear & grounded understanding of how the nervous system shapes our breath, movement and experience.

You will learn what polyvagal theory explains, and where it’s debated, explore breath-based regulation tools and practice simple somatic sequences that bring calm and awareness into your practice and teaching.

It is ideal if you are curious about trauma-informed yoga or preparing for the upcoming 50-Hour Nervous System and Yoga Foundations training.

This work was previously offered under the name Gem Maryan Yoga and is now gradually transitioning to Deeside Yoga Institute.

Join the Foundation Training

What you will learn

Understand the structure and function of the autonomic nervous system
Learn to recognise states of safety, activation and shutdown
Explore breath and vocal tone practices and how they may influence nervous system responses
Explore somatic awareness through supportive and safe embodied practice
Build confidence teaching from a place of safety and connection

Course fee and enrolment

Standard Fee: £65

Includes:

Live access + lifetime replay
Course workbook (PDF)
10-Hour CPD Certification (Yoga Alliance)

You will receive a course workbook, one teaching template and reflective prompts to deepen your understanding, teaching and practice.

Testimonial / graduate reflections

“This Yin Yoga Teacher Training truly surpassed all of my expectations. The depth of knowledge and honesty in the teaching made the learning both grounded and accessible. The hybrid format worked beautifully, allowing me to revisit the material at my own pace.”

Keely, Yin Yoga Trainee, 2026
If all teachers were like Gem the world would be a much lovelier place. Her knowledge is vast and I could listen to her all day. I'm awaiting her TedTalk and podcast. Her style of teaching is the perfect balance of loving, patient, confidence building whilst also pushing you a little out of your comfort zone because it's clear her intention is for you to be the best you can be. Gem's passion for yoga, Eastern Philosophy, anatomy, and many many other topics is super inspiring. This experience felt like a loving container and I have emerged with a renewed enthusiasm for life and certainly my yoga practice with I have deeply reconnected with. Thank you Gem, I truly appreciate the energy you shared with us, this weekend was medicine...I might sneak into every training 🤍

Suzy Holiday (White Rabbit Glasgow)
Yin Yoga Immersion
I absolutely loved my Yin Training with Gem, Gem is a fantastic teacher with tons & tons of experience, which she gladly shares with so much love & respect. I was unsure about doing the whole course online, but I think it could be a more effective way to learn! I felt more focused & comfortable in my own home, and although it was online, we all got to know each other & it felt very relaxed. The course is packed with learnings, but you never felt overloaded or rushed. I feel that my own personal teaching style has evolved from doing this course as well as learning about Yin, I honestly loved it and feel so grateful for the experience.

Jules McKinnon
My experience of Yin Yoga Teacher Training with Gem was certainly not as expected. With the emergence of Covid-19 and its associated lockdown, our 50hrs moved online. I needn't have worried though. I was looking to understand the philosophy of Yin, develop my practice and improve the way I share my practice with others; I wasn't disappointed. Gem's teaching was fun, interactive and pitched correctly. She was also supportive and available for questions/counsel at any time. I learned so much and couldn't wait to share my new knowledge. I also learned a lot about myself and my own practice, through introspection and journaling. Loved it.

Fiona McGill
A beautiful teacher training experience. Gem is so knowledgeable and delivers the training with a love and passion for all things Yin. I finished the Yin Teacher Training with all the knowledge and confidence to start my own Yin teaching journey. Gem gives so much across ALL the modules, you would be mad not to do your Yin YTT with Gem, let her love of yin yoga become your new passion

Graham Munro
So many beautiful take-always. Gem’s course was well structured, a perfect balance of practice & theory. Questions & enquiry were encouraged and Gem’s ability to respond with a great depth of knowledge, experience & wisdom was evident. Her passion, accessibility & unpretentiousness made for a truly comfortable, inspiring & joyous learning environment, she gently guided us all into finding our own paths within the Yin practice which was really quite special.

Yin Yoga Immersion Trainee
Gem’s Yin Yoga Teacher Training exceeded my expectations. It covered everything I needed to know to begin sharing yin yoga with others. Gem has so much insight and wisdom and delivers this authentically with passion and precision. There was the perfect balance of Yin practice, theory and teaching, planning classes, she welcomed the group into her warm and comfortable home and cooked delicious lunches each day! This course has give me the tools and resources to confidently start teaching yin yoga. Thank Gem!!

Emma Saville (2023 Yin Teacher Training)
The training was not just about imparting knowledge but also great preparation for starting to teach yin confidently. Great ideas about how to structure classes - very pragmatic training. Encouraging you to apply your knowledge in a practical way.

Sonya McKinlay (2023 Yin Training)

FAQs

No, but you will need basic yoga experience.
Yes, you will receive a 10-hour CPD certificate of completion which can be registered with Yoga Alliance once you complete the course.
This is a short introduction that covers key concepts in nervous system and somatic work. You can continue into the full 50-hour training in April.
Yes, it counts as 10 continuing education hours.