Today we’d like to introduce you to Judy Weaver.
Hi Judy, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I believe that the practice of Y.O.G.A. (Your Own Growth and Awareness) helps us to live life more fully, encourage students to have fun, find their edge, let go of expectations and incorporate yoga into their everyday lives. I hold an Ashtanga Vinyasa yoga teaching and yoga therapist certifications. With over 35 years of learning and teaching as a yoga therapist, I developed Bodymind Recalibration™ a multi-discipline practice building cognitive and somatic body-mind relationships and founded Connected Warriors, the largest volunteer-based non-profit delivering Trauma-Conscious yoga programs to active-duty service members, veterans and their families around the world and co-founded Yoga Unify, a non-profit that honors the traditions and stewards the forward evolution of yoga by up-leveling the profession.
I developed Trauma-Conscious Yoga methodology in 2007 primarily from my therapy work with a U.S. Army Ranger diagnosed with ALS (Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis) easing his journey and extending the length and quality of his life. Trauma-Conscious Yoga is based on the understanding that trauma is held in the cells of the body and mind – it is physiological rather than psychological. Reconnecting the body and mind with the synchronization of conscious breath, movement and concentration in a safe, secure and predictable environment support healing and wellness. This protocol has been used in three university clinical studies and is currently being used by Connected Warriors and other health care practitioners.
As a member of Yoga Alliance Advisory Board, On-line Presenter and part of their Core Curriculum Working Group and a member of IAYT exam working group, I have been able to share my passion for this practice of yoga to support the yoga community. I was a significant contributor to the YSC book “Best Practices for Yoga for Veterans” and other trauma or PTSD related books. I am honored to use my body of knowledge to lead certified yoga teacher trainings, workshops and lectures across the U.S at yoga conferences, festivals, universities, yoga studios and other locations.
My newest project resulted in a wonderful collaboration with Denise Griffin, fine artist and illustrator for Tune-in to the Rhythm of Your Soul. This book provides a basic understanding of the bodymind as a BioMachine and how we, as energetic beings, are having a human experience. Using amazing art and connection practices to understand the Koshas – the nesting dolls inside each one of us. You will learn how to navigate your humanness by accessing the primitive tools we are born with to better manage trauma, anxiety and other stressors on the bodymind. This experiential book uses tools and techniques that support inner peace and freedom-from-fear as you learn how to tune-in to your authentic self – the rhythm of your soul.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Not a smooth or direct road – but just like life, acknowledging the issue, creating a strategy to overcome and staying power to execute.
The biggest struggles were balancing personal and professional life and managing my financial and energetic investment to create an education pathway that did not exist in Florida at that time.
Subsequent struggle was to establish a practice and staying positive until word of mouth started to spread.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
As a yoga therapist and a teacher’s teacher, I specialize in the ability to meet students where they are and to deliver either therapy or technical knowledge in trauma/PTSD, trauma-conscious yoga, post-traumatic growth integrating physical and mental health and wellness.
I am known for helping private clients to recover from physical, emotional or spiritual trauma using techniques that teach them how to recalibrate their bodymind so they can connect to their authentic self.
I am fortunate that my experiences with trauma demographics were extreme – military, veterans and active-duty servicemembers – provided me with depth of knowledge and a broad scope of working with an enormous population of veterans and their families.
Do you have any advice for those looking to network or find a mentor?
Find someone who inspires you and identify the traits, characteristics and leadership presence that you connect with. Listen and learn from those in the industry you are in or want to enter. Connect and engage with peers and influencers. You have to put yourself out there and ask questions and make connections – the world is much smaller than we think.
Contact Info:
- Email: judy@bmrecal.com, Judybmrecal@gmail.com, jlwlhp@gmail.com
- Website: bmrecal.com
- Instagram: @judyconnectedwarriors, @judybodymind
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/judy.weaver.3705
- Twitter: @judyconnected
- Other: https://www.yogajournal.com/people/game-changers-influential-yogis/
Image Credits
Ben Winkler Robert Sturman Yoga Journal USAF Photography
