Testimonials

Hear what instructors, clients, and programs have to say about T.R.Y.

Rich Belsky

TRY instructor

Incredible training and stellar trainers. Learned so much about the causes and expressions of trauma, and am so excited to utilize the TRY method to spread yoga to those who suffer. Thank you so much, Joyce and Darwin! I went to the TRY workshop in August. I was so impressed by the technical aspect of doing yoga in order to heal your mind. I have suffered from trauma and know that yoga helps me ground myself but did not know why. This training will help me to bring this gift to others in ways tailored to their needs. Joyce, Darwin, Nicole, and Bunny are amazing! Thank you!

Alicia Marie Wadington

TRY instructor

Three days of self-study, vulnerability and magical knowledge of Trauma Recovery Yoga. I highly recommend this training for ALL beings. Everyone is welcome to learn. This method allows you to enhance and appreciate your compassion to deliver a positive approach, and share yoga to those that need it most.This training was amazing! I expected a bit of personal growth, but I got way more than expected! Joyce and Darwin obviously did their due diligence with research and the guests that came to help teach us this method. I know that the skills I obtained from this workshop will help me to help others, and the love is going to continue to spread quickly! Thank you thank you thank you!

Honey Vergara

TRY instructor

Anyone that works with people in need of healing, in any capacity, MUST take this training to learn how trauma effects the body and how to enable them with the tools to work towards healing.

Stefanie Jillian

TRY instructor

This training was amazing! I expected a bit of personal growth, but I got way more than expected! Joyce and Darwin obviously did their due diligence with research and the guests that came to help teach us this method. I know that the skills I obtained from this workshop will help me to help others, and the love is going to continue to spread quickly! Thank you thank you thank you!

Becca Roberts

TRY instructor

I really enjoyed my training with TRY. So much great information and a specific plan for teaching those with trauma. I had been looking for a training for almost 2 years and one day TRY popped up and I am so glad I did it. I have been teaching yoga since 2009 and over the last couple of years, the need for trauma-sensitive yoga has come to me. So many therapists know the benefit of yoga and recommend yoga to their clients but all yoga classes aren't designed to be for those in trauma. I feel blessed to be able to share this with those in my life.

Chanda Vaniman

TRY instructor

The training was really fantastic. It was a perfect fusion of psychology, anatomy, biology, empathy, compassion and - YOGA! To consider the integration of trauma within the realm of Yoga was a new philosophy for me. I was able to re-evaluate my own teaching style and learn methods on sensitivity towards those who are not as confident when stepping onto their mat. Joyce shares TRY from the heart and there is no holding back. I love that she presents the program with passion and vulnerability and encourages her students to do the same. She breaks down her sequence piece by piece and explains with enthusiasm and authenticity, why it works the way it does. In addition, I enjoyed listening to Darwin, Melissa and Dr. Ders talk about their various areas of expertise and how they all connect together. Each one of them bring a variety of tools to the table which integrate TRY to the mat.

Angie Negrete-Markle

TRY instructor

Feeling Inspired! Now more than ever connection and service to others is needed in this world to combat the effects of trauma in a multitude of ways. This training will not only prepare you to do the work for many different cases but also give you a deeper understanding of the many potential states of trauma and its effects on the mind and body and why this it is important to counter the effects with yoga and meditation. Joyce, Darwin, and Nicole deliver the training in a structured, compassionate, knowledgeable way that serves all those attending. I have done other at-risk trauma yoga training and this one by far gave me more tools and confidence to do the work. Feel encouraged to seek this one out if it's calling you and thank you TRY team for all you do!

Erika Trujillo

TRY instructor

Joyce and Trauma Recovery Yoga (T.R.Y.) is just what this valley needs to improve our health and well-being.

Annie Weisman, Ph.D.

TRY instructor

TRY has been introduced to Western High School in Las Vegas, NV since the beginning of the school year. Joyce has grown the Tuesday/Thursday class from just a few students to a steady group. In addition, she has worked with many of the Athletic teams; one in particular, the Boys Soccer team who ended their season as State Runner Ups. Joyce is committed, passionate and a true inspiration to all that come in contact with her. Our students who have been a part of the Yoga classes this year have nothing but great things to say and cherish the commitment Joyce has for them and our school.

Dana Crowley

TRY instructor

TRY Yoga has been a pilot program at our first High School here in Las Vegas. Every week Joyce, founder of TRY Yoga goes in after school to support students and teachers of Western High School with one hour of her specially designed yoga. Many people don't correlate that high school students, especially students of Western High School. This school has over 250 students classified as homeless and they are one of the lowest-performing schools in the CCSD. The intention to bring this style of YOGA to Western was to support many of the troubled teens in having a safe place to deal with life's daily struggles versus turning to drugs or other abusive behaviors. Thank you TRY for all that you do!

Melissa Blynn

TRY instructor

I am stronger today as a result of Joyce being part of my rehab. I was in a car accident which resulted in my neck being broken in two places and two vertebral arteries severed which resulted in 6 strokes. Joyce understands trauma and provides yoga stretches and exercises that are gentle yet strengthening at the same time. If you aren’t able to perform a traditional yoga position, Joyce provides alternative positions that are still advantageous. Yoga, with Joyce, is all about wellness never pain. When I first started yoga sessions with Joyce, my left arm couldn’t support me at all. I continued to practice the exercises and it wasn’t long before I was able to put weight on my left arm and have it hold without collapsing. Her cheerful, encouraging personality is inviting and makes the whole experience fun, positive and a great stress relief. I feel very fortunate to have had Joyce as my yoga instructor.

Eileen Gerhar

TRY instructor

Joyce has demonstrated the unique ability to tailor her yoga skills to accommodate cognitive, language, or physical limitations so that anybody can enjoy the benefits of Yoga.

Kristin Zehnder

TRY instructor

Joyce is an integral part of NCEP group program services, she ensures clients have a positive experience with yoga and to see it is an integrated part of the body mechanics to health and wellness. Joyce services are needed to help the client with the holistic approach to body and mind.

Rosa

TRY instructor

I attended the T.R.Y. teacher training in November 2016. I highly recommend this training to anyone who works with those who have experienced trauma. This training could not have come at a better time for me as it helped give me the tools to stay balanced, healthy and whole both physically and emotionally during a recent medical diagnosis. I know these tools are something that I will continue to use for the rest of my life. T.R.Y. is a gift and has already changed lives for the better and will continue to do so.

JaeAna

TRY instructor

TRY did a session for our HR team within a non-profit trauma-centered client I have. The session was boldly powerful. It brought people to tears and inspired some who've never done yoga to take it up as a regular practice. It worked well for all of our leaders, regardless of their level of yoga proficiency and physical readiness. There is nothing like inspiring self-care in our leadership, who work with trauma all day long than putting them through the physical manifestation of its beautiful practice through this special yoga. It fostered great open dialogue between our team and kicked off a fabulous week-long Summit we provided. We had one of the richest and most vulnerable open conversations as a team as a part of this session. I am truly grateful for Joyce and her work. It is a special part of our week that is still talked about today!

Shannon Alvarez

TRY instructor

After serving as a Marriage and Family Therapist for over 17 years, I had the privilege of taking Trauma Recovery Yoga (TRY) Certification. The sensitive, respectful and healing philosophies and interventions are now a regular part of my therapeutic practice working with people affected by trauma, as well as my yoga practice. I appreciate being included in Joyce and Darwin's healing mission.

Melissa McCafferty

TRY instructor

TRY provided a workshop for our advocates that was relaxing and helpful. Our advocates experience secondary trauma due to the work they do daily. It's nice to be able to take time for ourselves and learn techniques to help us during those difficult times. We are so appreciative of TRY's staffs time, energy and skills. Our advocates now have skills that they will take with them once they leave our Center!

Cristina Hernandez

TRY instructor

T.R.Y. is being run at Robert Lunt which is an urban, at-risk school. We are a Title 1, 100% Free and Reduced Lunch school- 100% of our students live below the poverty line and experience multiple traumatic events on a daily basis- poverty, illness, food insecurity, addiction, homelessness, to name a few. Teachers report that students are calmer and more centered after leaving T.R.Y. sessions. Teachers have been able to incorporate these techniques into the classroom and take "brain breaks" when students need to refocus and center themselves. The goal is that students start to internalize these strategies, recognize when they need to re-center and begin to use them on their own. I would recommend T.R.Y. This is giving our students (and teachers) practical strategies to implement in their daily lives that can help them cope with stressors and trauma.

Lisa Drakulich

TRY instructor

T.R.Y. is an amazing way to bring yoga to my Veteran patients who have PTSD. It is not intimidating – the Veterans love yoga! They are calmer, sleep better, less anxiety, and increased self-esteem. I would absolutely recommend T.R.Y. This method of yoga is magical and saves lives!

Dr. Nicole Anders

TRY instructor

T.R.Y. provides relaxation techniques for teachers and students within our urban at-risk schools’ who are exposed to many adverse and traumatic situations in their homes and communities. The teachers work with these students daily and need to have tools to help them. Some noticeable changes in the students' behaviors are a better ability to refocus on a calm place when feeling overwhelmed and stressed. I would recommend T.R.Y. because it’s been not only a good tool for refocusing when overwhelmed but also a good took for positive teacher/school staff engagement.

Lisa Campbell

TRY instructor

After the 1 October incident, T.R.Y. has helped a great many of us deal with the trauma of what we saw and experienced. The T.R.Y. program gives our officers and first responders a better outlook, being ABLE to work. I would absolutely recommend T.R.Y. Besides the exercise you get while doing yoga, the meditation and message that Trauma Yoga sends are indescribable.

Nicole Charlton

TRY instructor

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