welcome to first thunder wellness

meet heidi davis

Heidi Davis - Iiniipoiakii, Buffalo Talking Woman, is a Recreation Therapist and Yoga Facilitator from Lethbridge (Sikookitoki), Alberta. She is passionate about offering inclusive, inspiring yoga and movement programs that include land-based cues, Indigenous teachings and language, and modifications for all levels of participation. Heidi co-facilitates with Elders when possible, and has offered classes for Reconciliation and Indigenous Peoples week, open to the entire community and influenced by the knowledge keepers who mentor her. She is a settler who has been adopted by the family of Emma Many Feathers.

Heidi works for Alberta Health Services, and offers yoga as part of her client’s therapy options. She guides gentle yoga classes for individuals on their recovery journey; offering movement, practices to influence breath and the nervous system. Over the past 20 years, she has worked in many streams of care,  currently in neuro rehabilitation with the Lethbridge and Area Stroke Team and with Addiction and Mental Health Outreach and Diversion.

Facilitating active living programs is important to holistic care, recognizing the mind body connection. Heidi believes that finding stillness after movement allows for contemplation, truth, and calling the Spirit home. Heidi is dedicated to creating a place to gather, move, share and connect to each other and to self. Heidi has facilitated group exercise programs for the past 20 years. She is AFLCA certified, a member of Alberta Therapeutic Recreation Association, graduated from Flow State 200 YTT (Shonna Lamb and Kendall Bowes)  and completed The Current Community 300 YTT in August 2023 (Erin Evans and Lydia Zamarano). She is also certified to guide Yoga Nidra, Wall Yin, Meditation, and Trauma Informed classes (TCTSY) and is registered through Yoga Alliance. She was named Professional of the Year in 2017 by ATRA,  and won the Innovative Practice Award from Canadian Therapeutic Recreation Association in 2018. Heidi received the Community Leader Award from Reconciliation Lethbridge in 2023.

First Thunder Wellness Offerings: 

  • Land-based Yoga Teacher Training

  • Expressive Arts and Team Building

  • Wind and Willow Wellness Retreats

  • Retreats with Ballet Beats

  • Vinyasa, Trauma-informed and Land-based Yoga offerings - email for more information and locations

  • Pop Up Yoga Lethbridge -  www.popupyoga-lethbridge.com

CONNECT with Heidi:

Email: firstthunderwellness@gmail.com (for registration questions, please email dance@balletbeats.com)

Instagram: @firstthunderwellness

Land-Based Yoga Teacher Training Calgary

Level One - FALL 2025 dates coming soon!

Facilitated by Heidi Davis, Recreation Therapist, RYT500

Thank you so much for your interest in First Thunder Yoga Teacher Training. This  training course will offer a practical approach to guiding yoga, meditation and breathwork in a variety of settings. We will explore philosophy rooted in the 8 limb path of yoga and land based healing principles, and provide an experiential learning environment. 

As a Recreation Therapist, yoga has been an incredible skill to bring to my clients who are recovering from strokes, substance abuse, and other chronic conditions. Yoga facilitation skills will impact many areas of health care, community programming, and individual healing journeys.

The First Thunder Yoga Teacher Training will offer a concise and well resourced educational opportunity that will empower facilitators to offer safe and accessible yoga and meditation in order to uplift and inspire a wide variety of individuals on their life journey. You will receive a manual with 4 breathwork techniques, 8 grounding practices, 6 meditation scripts and 6 asana sequences, and additional resources to continue your exploration of the yoga path!

What will we learn?

By the end of the training, you will:

  • Be prepared to facilitate safe and beneficial yoga practices in a variety of settings

  • Begin to develop an understanding of the history and ancient wisdom of yoga

  • Be prepared to gather meaningful data and information through yoga offerings to support individual goals

  • Study approaches/techniques that make the world a better place, and reduce suffering

The objectives of this training will be achieved through lectures, group work, asana practices, and sharing circles.

At the end of this training you will be prepared to offer a welcoming and inclusive space where practitioners connect to the land and ones self through creative language and grounding practices. You will be able to guide safe, smart experiences in shapes/poses to elevate the spirit on a healing journey.

Material will include asana (physical practice of yoga), facilitation theory, yoga philosophy, meditation, breathwork, and more. We will explore recovery, resilience, Indigenous ways of knowing with an Elder, and grounding practices for the nervous system. 

Who can attend?

This training is designed for Recreation Therapists, Physical Therapists, Occupational Therapists, Therapy Assistant, Allied Health Professionals, Teachers, Recovery Support Staff, and other community members who want to develop practical yoga and meditation facilitation skills. 

This training is not approved for Yoga Alliance credentials due to its unique nature

Time Commitment + Location

This training will occur over a two day period, fall dates coming soon!

The first day will be 8 hours of study, the second day will be 7 hrs, and plus 5 hours of homework

Completing this 20 hour training will provide you with a certificate of completion. Full attendance is required for a certificate of completion.

Trainings take place in both Lethbridge and Calgary or bring our training to your community.

Pre-requisites

An open heart and mind. This program is open to all. You do not have to have a 200 YTT certification. 

Investment

The First Thunder Yoga Teacher Training is offered at $599 + gst for early bird registrations, $699 + gst after early bird. This includes a manual.

If you prefer to pay for the training in full, please use link below to sign up. Alternatively, you can secure your spot by paying a $150 non-refundable deposit here. We will then contact you to discuss and set up a payment plan that best fits your needs. The full payment is required 1 month prior to training.

I would love to see you there! If you hear the call and want to sign up, or if you require more information, please reach out! 

 As my elder says, “With tears in my eyes, and an ancient song in my heart, thank you”.

With gratitude,

Heidi