Restorative Practices for Empowered Teaching Professionals: Healing in a Time of Change

People Doing Yoga Together

This program was a holistic initiative aimed at enhancing the well-being of faculty and lecturers by integrating healing-centered practices into their professional and personal lives. This program offered a trauma-informed yoga session and psychoeducation workshop that addressed the complex stressors impacting faculty and lecturers, particularly in today’s challenging socio-political climate. 

The purpose of this program was to support faculty and lecturers in achieving sustainable well-being through evidence-based, culturally relevant, and community-centered approaches. By providing tools to nurture mental, emotional, and physical health, it aimed to foster a supportive environment that encouraged participants to thrive both within and outside of their professional roles. 

The Facilitators Were:

Dr. Aesha Mustafa, Assistant Professor of Leadership and Counseling

Dr. Mishelle Rodriguez, Founder and Psychologist at Collaborative Changemakers

Dominique Theophilus, Co-owner and Registered Yoga Teacher at Miller Healer's Private Practice

Symone Davis, Graduate Student in Leadership and Counseling

Mandilyn Graham, Licensed Clinical Counselor at Collaborative Changemakers 

The Benefits to Participating Included:

  • Reduced Stress and Burnout: Learn practical strategies to manage stress and prevent burnout, improving both personal and professional resilience.
  • Enhanced Emotional Regulation: Build mindfulness and coping skills to navigate challenging situations with greater ease.
  • Increased Sense of Connection: Foster peer support and belonging through collaborative exercises and shared experiences.
  • Improved Well-Being: Engage in restorative practices, such as trauma-sensitive yoga and mindfulness, to promote physical and mental health.
  • Boosted Classroom Engagement: Discover how self-awareness and emotional regulation can positively impact your interactions with students and enhance their learning experience.
  • Time to Recharge: Enjoy a dedicated space to pause, reflect, and invest in your own wellness amidst the demands of academic life.
  • Cultivated Resilience: Build sustainable habits that help you thrive in a fast-paced and ever-changing academic environment.

This program consisted of two interconnected sessions designed to deepen and refine your learning and practice. The first session introduced key concepts and techniques. The second session offered an opportunity to build upon the foundation through more embodied practice, such as yoga (a highly anticipated element), and to reflect with facilitators and peers on successes and challenges as you work to integrate these practices into your life and classroom.