Stress, Anxiety & Trauma Pathways

Advanced Anatomy, Physiology & Clinical Bodywork

Understanding the body’s response to stress, anxiety and trauma.

What happens within the body when we experience stress, anxiety or trauma? How do these experiences influence our physiological processes? And how can understanding these connections help us become more effective, present and supportive therapists?

Part of Tony Eng’s Roadmap to the Body Series, this advanced workshop explores the physiological pathways, structural and functional relationships, and theories associated with stress, anxiety and trauma.

The focus goes beyond understanding the body’s responses. It also explores how therapists can use this knowledge to support nervous system downregulation while developing a deeper awareness of their own therapeutic presence.

Because understanding what happens within the body is important. Understanding how to be present with the person experiencing it is equally valuable.

What Will You Explore?

Physiological Pathways & Connections

Explore the physiological pathways and connections associated with stress, anxiety and trauma, developing a deeper understanding of their structural and functional relationships.

Understanding Stress, Anxiety & Trauma

Examine the theories surrounding stress, anxiety and trauma and how they relate to the body’s physiological responses.

Nervous System Downregulation

Deepen your understanding of how the body’s interconnected pathways and physiological processes relate to nervous system downregulation and supporting the body’s return to a more balanced state.

Therapeutic Presence & Holding Space

Explore the importance of your own therapeutic presence and what it means to hold space and provide support for clients experiencing stress, anxiety or trauma.

The Window of Tolerance

Develop an understanding of working within the body’s Window of Tolerance and its relevance to creating a supportive therapeutic environment.

Who Is This Workshop For?

This workshop is designed for experienced massage therapists and bodywork practitioners who want to deepen their understanding of the physiological relationships associated with stress, anxiety and trauma.

It is particularly suited to therapists who:

• Have a strong interest in anatomy and physiology.
• Want to better understand the body’s responses to stress, anxiety and trauma.
• Are interested in the physiological connections involved in nervous system regulation.
• Want to deepen their therapeutic presence and ability to hold space.
• Are curious about the Window of Tolerance and its relevance to bodywork.
• Enjoy exploring the relationships between the body’s structures, functions and interconnected systems.

Part of the Roadmap to the Body Series

Stress, Anxiety & Trauma Pathways is part of Roadmap to the Body, an advanced educational series created and taught by Tony Eng.

The series explores the anatomy, physiology and interconnected pathways of the human body, encouraging experienced therapists to develop a deeper understanding of structural and functional relationships.

Each workshop focuses on a different area of exploration and can be taken individually according to your interests and professional development goals.

Workshop Details

Instructor: Tony Eng

Dates: March 9 & 16, 2027

Time: 9:00 AM – 5:30 PM

Location: École Setsuko, NDG

Format: In-person

Total Hours: 16 credits

Prerequisites: Minimum 400 hours of foundational training in massage therapy or bodywork.

Beyond Understanding. Toward Greater Therapeutic Presence.

Deepen your understanding of stress, anxiety and trauma from a physiological perspective while exploring the importance of presence, support and working within the body’s Window of Tolerance.

Explore the physiology. Understand the connections. Deepen your therapeutic presence.