Lyons Heart Wellness

The Practice of Care: A Trauma Conscious 200 Hour Teacher Training

The Practice of Care is a 200-hour trauma-conscious yoga teacher training created by Nikki and Sophie for anyone seeking a more grounded, inclusive, and community-centered approach to yoga. Held outside the traditional studio setting, this training invites you into a practice rooted in yoga's rich history and philosophy while honoring the realities of our modern lives and westernized yoga. Together, we'll explore trauma-conscious facilitation, accessibility, embodiment, ethical teaching, and the power of care as both a personal and collective practice.

Whether you hope to teach yoga or deepen your own relationship with the practice, this training offers an environment where curiosity, community, and connection are valued over western norms, capitalism and the physical form. We believe yoga belongs to everyone, and that meaningful practice is cultivated through presence, mutual support, and a commitment to making yoga more accessible for all. The Practice of Care is an invitation to learn, grow, and build a practice that centers compassion, justice, and belonging, from the inside out.

The Practice of Care:

a Trauma Conscious 200 Hour Teacher Training

With Sophie Lyons-Covarrubias & Nikki McMaster-Martorano

The Practice of Care is a 200-hour trauma-conscious yoga alliance certified teacher training created by Nikki and Sophie for anyone seeking a more grounded, inclusive, and community-centered approach to yoga. Held outside the traditional studio setting, this training invites you into a practice rooted in yoga's rich history and philosophy while honoring the realities of our modern lives and westernized yoga. Together, we'll explore trauma-conscious facilitation, accessibility, embodiment, ethical teaching, and the power of care as both a personal and collective practice.

Whether you hope to teach yoga or deepen your own relationship with the practice, this training offers an environment where curiosity, community, and connection are valued over western norms, capitalism and the physical form. We believe yoga belongs to everyone, and that meaningful practice is cultivated through presence, mutual support, and a commitment to making yoga more accessible for all. The Practice of Care is an invitation to learn, grow, and build a practice that centers compassion, justice, and belonging, from the inside out.

Current FAQS about this 200 hr Yoga Teacher Training:

When: April-November 2027

In Person Training Weekends: Saturdays & Sundays | 10:00 AM–6:00 PM

  • April 10–11

  • May 8–9

  • June 12–13

  • July 10–11

  • August 14–15

  • September 11–12

  • October 9–10

  • November 13–14

Monthly Virtual Sessions: Thursdays | 6:30–8:30 PM

  • April 29

  • May 27

  • June 24

  • July 29

  • August 26

  • September 30

  • October 21

  • November 4

Where: Hidden Well Studios in Brookline, MA + Virtual Sessions

Hidden Well isn't a traditional yoga studio—it's a family-owned community space run by healers and people who are passionate about bringing folks together. After reflecting on our own experiences within the yoga industry, it felt deeply important for us to host this training in a nontraditional "third space" that prioritizes connection, accessibility, and community over performance or competition.

Commitment: 2 days in person sessions monthly and 1 virtual evening session monthly, + homework, reading and practice (200 hours!)

Lead Trainers: Sophie Lyons- Covarrubias & Nikki McMaster-Martorano

Guest Teachers and Trainers: TBD

Scholarships and Payment Plans: Of course! More info coming soon!

Contact: thepracticeofcare@gmail.com

Information Sessions Coming Soon! Leave your email or number in the interest form below and we will keep you in the loop!

Fill out Interest Form HERE

More about your lead teachers:

Sophie Lyons-Covarrubias (she/they) is a Boston based, Queer woman that specializes in offering trauma informed yoga classes. She is passionate about bringing together the LGBTQIA2S+ community through the practice of yoga and creating brave spaces for folks to explore agency in their bodies. Sophie is an 800hr certified Yoga teacher with over a thousand hours of teaching experience. She is trained as a 200hr Kripalu Vinyasa Teacher, a 300hr Trauma Center Trauma Sensitive Yoga Facilitator (TCTSY-F), and a 300hr Ignite Yoga & Wellness Institute Instructor. Sophie is also a Level II Reiki Healer, Trauma-Conscious Yoga Guide (TCYM) and an experienced regular yoga teacher (E-RYT) . Sophie completed their Master’s degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling with a concentration in LGBTQIA2S+ Mental Health at William James College. They also earned a BA in Holistic Psychology and Wellness from Lesley University, with a specialization in yoga therapy, trauma, eating disorder recovery, and addiction.

Nikki McMaster-Martorano (she/her) is the founder of and heart behind Terra Flow. She is a Trauma Informed E-RYT, Reiki Master and educator. When she is not teaching yoga in the city, she is a Yoga and Social Emotional Learning Specialist in an elementary school in Boston, who strives to make whole body wellness accessible to all. Nikki became curious about yoga when her career in education began and was amazed by the impact the practice had on her and her elementary school students. Inspired by the kids to learn more about the practice, Nikki enrolled in YTT in the summer of 2018. Since then, she has been teaching yoga with an authentic, inclusive and anti-racist lens in and around Boston, always teaching what she’s practicing- with an emphasis on being a lifelong learner and practitioner on and off the yoga mat. Nikki was trained in Ashtanga-based Vinyasa with Renee LeBlanc, Trauma-Informed Yoga with Sophie Lyons, and Embodied Yoga for Social Justice and Leadership with Susanna Barkataki. She received training in decolonized sacred energy and Usui Reiki from Zel Amanzi, and completed her Advanced and Master Reiki training with Danielle of Reiki Boston. Her goal as a yoga teacher is to cultivate and offer an environment where students feel safe to develop a sense of agency over their practice, while honoring the roots and deep, ancient wisdom that this practice has to offer. Expect to move mindfully, explore yoga beyond asana (yoga poses) and develop a deeper connection between your mind, body and breath.

Training Curriculum

Our Traum Conscious 200-hour Yoga Teacher Training offers a well-rounded foundation in the philosophy, practice, and art of teaching yoga. Through experiential learning, discussion, practice teaching, and self-inquiry, you'll explore both the ancient roots of yoga and its modern-day applications. Throughout the training, you'll study:

  • The history of yoga, from ancient traditions to contemporary practice

  • Yoga philosophy

  • Classical and modern styles of yoga

  • Foundations of meditation and pranayama (breathwork), and Asana

  • Yoga anatomy, physiology, and functional movement

  • Teaching through a trauma-informed and inclusive lens

  • Sanskrit pronunciation and commonly used yoga terminology

  • The art of creating meaningful and inclusive yoga offerings

  • Sequencing classes with intention, creativity, and safety

  • Gentle and corrective hands-on assists

  • Yoga for every body, with an emphasis on accessibility and adaptation

  • Sanskrit pronunciation and commonly used yoga terminology

  • The business of yoga and building a sustainable teaching practice

Whether your goal is to become a yoga teacher or deepen your personal practice, this curriculum is designed to help you embody the teachings of yoga with confidence, curiosity, compassion, and integrity.