Dr. Niki Elliott

Embodied Equity: A Workshop Day with Dr. Niki Elliott

August 22, 2026 from 11 - 5 pm ET

Learn How Bias & Belonging Show Up in the Nervous System

This workshop invites participants to consider equity and social change through a nervous system lens, recognizing that many of our reactions to difference, conflict, and uncertainty are shaped by embodied conditioning and collective experience.

Through experiential exercises, guided reflection, and applied frameworks, participants will deepen their understanding of how bias and belonging are experienced in the body and nervous system. 

Together, we’ll explore how trauma-informed, culturally responsive and neurodiversity-affirming approaches to environmental design, sensory awareness, group ritual, and connection can support physical and psychological safety in response to marginalization.

Enroll at $147 Pricing Options

This workshop is for:
  • Helping professionals
  • Educators
  • Healthcare providers
  • Clinicians
  • Coaches
A note on pricing:
  • We’ve introduced a tiered pricing model to ensure that our course is accessible to as many people as possible, regardless of their financial situation.
  • Please choose a pricing tier that reflects your financial ability. Those paying the higher amount help us fund additional scholarships for those who may not have the financial means to attend this event.
  • Everyone receives the same access to the course materials, regardless of what they pay.

Move Beyond Cognition Into the Lived Experience

Explore how the nervous system responds to identity threat, exclusion, and connection.

A New Lens on Equity
A New Lens on Equity

Bias and belonging are not just intellectual concepts, but embodied experiences shaped by the nervous system and societal conditioning.

Practical Tools for Embodiment
Practical Tools for Embodiment

Walk away with trauma-informed, culturally responsive strategies for environmental design, sensory awareness, and community-building that support physical and psychological safety for all.

Self-Discovery
Self-Discovery

Connect with your nervous system and learn how the body responds to identity, exclusion, and connection.

Enroll

Schedule

August 22, 11 am to 5 pm ET

Workshop Schedule

11:00 AM – 5:00 PM ET

Part 1 | 11:00 AM – 12:20 PM  |  Polyvagal Perspectives on Embodied Equity

What is embodied equity? This opening of our day explores equity not as a cognitive framework, but as a felt experience of safety, belonging, and connection. 

Break | 12:20 – 12:30 PM

Part 2 | 12:30 – 2:00 PM  |  Bias in the Body: How Identity Threat Disrupts Belonging and Connection

This session explores how identity threat disrupts belonging and connection through a nervous system lens. Participants will reflect on where bias, conditioning, and past experiences live in the body, using guided exercises and identity mapping practices to deepen awareness of embodied responses to difference and belonging.

Lunch | 2:00 – 2:30 PM

Part 3 | 2:30 – 3:50 PM  |  Designing Neuro-Inclusive Environments

Together we’ll explore how environments themselves shape nervous system experiences. This session focuses on creating neuro-inclusive, trauma-informed spaces that support accessibility  and connection, recognizing that physical spaces, sensory inputs, rituals, and group dynamics all contribute to whether people feel safe enough to participate fully.

Break | 3:50 – 4:00 PM

Part 4 | 4:00 – 5:00 PM  |  Neuro-Exercises to Support Embodied Equity

The day concludes with experiential mind-body practices and neuro-exercises designed to support connection across difference, soften bracing patterns, and build nervous system capacity and vagal tone for facilitating, living and learning in diverse communities.

What to Bring

  • Comfortable clothing for gentle mind-body practices

  • A journal or notebook for reflection

  • A yoga mat, towel, or comfortable space to sit/move.

  • Curiosity, compassion, and openness to self-reflection

Meet your Instructor

Niki Elliott, PhD

Dr. Niki Elliott is a clinical professor and director of the Center for Embodied Equity and Neurodiversity at the University of San Diego. A leading voice in neurodiversity and trauma-informed education, she has trained thousands of teachers, school counselors, and helping professionals worldwide to better support children with learning differences, mental health diagnoses, trauma histories, and behavioral challenges. Her work integrates educational neuroscience, polyvagal theory, mind-body practices and embodied equity to build emotionally safe, inclusive learning environments. Dr. Elliott serves on the Board of Directors and teaching faculty of the Polyvagal Institute and is the author of the forthcoming book Heart-Centered Connection: 7 Essential Skills for Helping Neurodiverse and Marginalized Children Thrive.

Watch Niki on Wired for Connection

In this podcast episode, Dr. Elliott shares about her personal journey in education, her dedication to supporting neurodiverse learners, and the transformative impact of understanding nervous system needs through the lens of polyvagal theory. The conversation explores how reimagining classroom environments, with an emphasis on sensory and relational safety, can unlock the brilliance of every child.

Learn at PVI

The Founding Home of Polyvagal Theory™

We believe our courses and trainings offer the most up-to-date information on Polyvagal Theory and it's applications. When you enroll in a course or attend an event from the Polyvagal Institute, you're supporting an international non-profit dedicated to increasing safety and connection across the world.

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A group discount of 15% off the Opportunity Price is available for 5+ simultaneous enrollments.

PVI is happy to work with your school or district finance office or billing system to facilitate both individual or group registration for this event. Please contact [email protected] for assistance.

Pricing options

Please choose a pricing tier that reflects your financial ability. Those paying the higher amount help us fund additional scholarships for those who may not have the financial means to attend this event. Everyone receives access to the same materials.