Join Molly Birkholm, co-founder of Warriors at Ease and a trauma educator, when she presents “Trauma, Recovery, and Empowerment,” on the evening of Saturday, October 26, at the Newtown Congregational Church (NCC), 14 West Street, for a lecture and Q&A session. Learn tools to live free of conflict, anxiety, and fear while inviting joy into your life. Joy Hoffman, founder of the “The Joy of Art” and “The Joy of Yoga Nidra” will lead a session of Yoga Nidra following the discussion.

Ms Birkholm is a speaker, advisor, show host, and author. She is the co-founder of Warriors at Ease, which has pioneered evidenced-based resilience and trauma treatment programs for the United States military, including training more than 2,000 instructors who work at more than 65 military bases and Veterans Affairs (VA) hospitals. She has worked with thousands of trauma survivors, including survivors from the Parkland school shooting, human trafficking, serious accidents and illness, terrorists and attacks, all kinds of assault, prisoners, and the military and veteran community. Ms Birkholm’s peak performance and resilience training programs are used by C-suite leaders and top organizations, including the United State Department of Defense, JP Chase, Goldman Sachs, and the Young President’s Organization. She leads programs around the world and also teaches millions of students through her programs on “Building Resilience: Finding Meaning in Adversity” and “iRest Yoga Nidra for Deep Relaxation” on The Great Courses and as a show hosted on Yoga International. She is also an iRest Yoga Nidra Teacher Trainer and an active advocate for human trafficking relief.

Ms Hoffman offers Yoga Nidra for adults and children at schools, churches, community centers, small businesses, and health organizations across Fairfield County. Ms Hoffman is certified in Yoga Nidra through Amrit Institute, founded by Yogi Amrit Desai. She continued her education by attending workshops and training in the mind, body, and spirit connection for many years at Canyon Ranch in Tucson, Ariz., and the Berkshires.

Ms Hoffman currently teaches “The Joy of Art,” a weekly arts and art therapy, painting, photography, and age-appropriate yoga class for children grades K-5 at NCC. Ms Hoffman earned a master’s degree in fine arts from Boston University and Harvard.

Doors will open at 6:30 pm. Participants are encouraged to set up one yoga mat, two blankets, and one eye pillow prior to the lecture. Chair yoga will be offered. Yoga Nidra, also known as “sleep yoga,” allows the central nervous system to rest deeply while the mind calms naturally through brain wave patterns, offering tranquility and restoration. Yoga Nidra is taught through visualization and guided imagery.

All proceeds will benefit Ben’s Lighthouse, a program founded in memory and celebration of Ben Wheeler, that seeks to foster all children’s potential to build a more compassionate and connected world. Ben’s Lighthouse provides programs and opportunities helping kids and teens develop empathy, self-awareness, and social connection.

The lecture will be held in the sanctuary at Newtown Congregational Church beginning at 7 pm. Tickets are $20 for adults and $10 for students. Tickets are available online at eventbrite.com (keyword: Joy//Newtown, CT). Books and CDs will be available for purchase at the door.

For further information, contact NCC at 203-426-9024.