ABOUT THIS EPISODE
Last Spring I hosted The Embodied Educator Summit, we had amazing international speakers all around embodied education.
And I felt like I wanted to share some of that goodness with every educator in the world. So with much pleasure I gift you my generative conversation with blessed Niki Elliott!
Can you think of a fellow educator who might be at the edge of their teaching capacity, please feel free to share this with anyone who needs it.
May it bring you love and light on your embodied journey, inside and outside your classroom.
In this episode of the Embodied Educator Summit series, host Liz Wientjes introduces Dr. Niki Elliott, a revered educator who integrates applied educational neuroscience with mind-body wellness.
She shares her journey from teaching in classrooms to leading the Center for Embodied Equity and Neurodiversity at the University of San Diego. Together they delve into the importance of addressing nervous system states to improve learning outcomes and classroom environments, particularly through the lens of equity and inclusion.
The discussion includes the principles of Polyvagal Theory, the role of breathwork and movement in managing stress, and transforming educational practices to foster co-regulation. Dr. Niki also conducts a brief breath and movement practice, emphasizing the need for educators to embody the principles they teach to better support their students.
00:00 Welcome to the Embodied Educator Summit
00:16 Introducing Dr. Niki Elliott
04:34 Dr. Niki's Personal Journey
10:40 Understanding Polyvagal Theory
15:51 The Two Train Track Approach
20:12 Equity and the Nervous System
27:03 Understanding Nervous System Biases
28:59 Exploring Polyvagal Theory and Vagus Nerve
30:46 Breathwork and Yoga Practices
34:22 Practical Demonstration of Breathwork
40:13 Trauma-Informed Practices in Education
45:07 The Importance of Community Support
48:23 Final Thoughts and Encouragement
// EMBODY MOMENT @34.22
@34.22 Dr. Niki guides us into an embodied practice - Building Vagal Tone to grow nervous system capacity.
You can follow this guided practice seated and standing is also possible if your prefer that. We demonstrate the seated version.
Dr. Niki Elliott is a clinical professor of education in the School of Leadership and Education Sciences at the University of San Diego, and formerly served as director of the Center for Neurodiversity, Learning, and Wellness at the University of La Verne. With 30 years of experience in education, she has taught students from elementary school through university, developing a deep passion for supporting children with mood, learning, and behavior challenges, particularly inspired by her adopted son's experience with prenatal trauma and intellectual disability. Dr. Elliott integrates yoga, mindfulness, and breathwork into her teachings, and currently offers graduate-level courses and seminars that integrate education neuroscience, polyvagal theory, neurodiversity, mindfulness, and social-emotional learning for educators and school counselors.
As the founder of the Mindful Leaders Project, Dr. Elliott has implemented innovative trauma-informed programs in various school districts and supported thousands of educators and counselors. She also teaches an 8-week certificate course, Embodied Equity for Educators and Helping Professionals, through the Polyvagal Institute. Her work with Dr. Stephen Porges has helped professionals understand and mitigate unconscious bias from a nervous system perspective, leading to significant improvements in classroom climate and student engagement. Dr. Elliott holds degrees from UC Berkeley, Teachers College, Columbia University, and UCLA, along with certifications in yoga, clinical breathwork, and secular mindfulness practices. Sheadvocates for a holistic integration of mind, body, and heart in education.
🌍 https://www.mindful-leaders.org/about/our-founder/
📱Instagram: @iam_drniki https://www.instagram.com/iam_drniki/
🤳🏻 LinkedIn: @drnikielliott
// EVENTS
- Liz hosts a 6-Day Retreat in Greece May 8 - 13 May, 2026. This will be in Dutch, Thuiskomen in je lichaam, groeien in je vak en je leven. Voor meer informatie klik hier: Retreat Samos - Thuiskomen in je lichaam, en groeien in je vak en je leven.
Gratis proeftuin voor dit retreat online via Zoom op 15 oktober 19.30 - 21.00 Meld je hier aan
- Dr Niki hosts together with Lori Desautels a 1 day Virtual Summit for educators, click here for more info: Education Summit Fall 2025 https://www.polyvagalinstitute.org/educationsummitfall2025
// THE EMBODIED EDUCATOR
🌍 www.theembodiededucator.nl | liz@theembodiededucator.nl
👀 Watch+subscribe via Youtube @TheEmbodiedEducator
📱LinkedIn: @Liz Wientjes
📱Instagram: @Liz Wientjes - The Embodied Educator
Make a Donation to help spread the importance of embodied knowing around education.
The Embodied Educator Podcast 👩🏻🏫 is hosted by Liz Wientjes. She's been in higher education for over 15 years teaching Communication, assessing, guiding and coaching many international students. To broaden her classroom horizon, over the last three years Liz has also freelanced in Primary Education and high school where she's discovering new teaching qualities and challenges!
This podcast comes from the crossroad with her other passion❤️🔥 embodiment. As a Pilates teacher, a (Flamenco) dancer, young horseback rider and as bodyworker. This blend came to be The Embodied Educator. Brains don't learn. Humans learn. Humans with a nervous system, a heart, a pulse, sensations, and a natural push for aliveness. So why do we create so much learning spaces that don't feed/allow/ackwknowledge that aliveness? Not just for the body but for our whole being?!
That's what this free and made with love and care podcast is about. If you support our mission, a review, likes+starrs+shares and/or a donation help this podcast to grow. Consider paying it forward, any way available for you. Thanks for being part of this Community of Care for Education.
Dr. Niki for PVI - Polyvagal Principles in the classroom (and also regarding neurodiverse learners)
One day summit for educators PVI - with dr Niki & dr Lori Desautels
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Some parts are written with help of AI - apologies if there's an inconsistency or inaccuracy - I create this podcast in my spare time and totally out of love for learning, teaching and paying it forward :-)
