CENTRAL ILLINOIS POLICE TRAINING CENTER
Brian Fengel, Director
Phone: (309) 690-7355
Fax: (309) 690-7359
Heather Grove: hgrove@icc.edu
Jean Swan: jswan@icc.edu
Robert Pyszka: rp717@icc.edu
Yoga for First Responders
Instructor: Cheryl Mabry
May 2, 2025
8am – 4pm
Class will meet at: CIPTC, ICC Peoria Campus, 5407 N. University, Poplar P101, Peoria
Enrollment Deadline: April 25, 2025
Course Size: Minimum – 10 Maximum – 15
Course Objective
This course uses tactical breath work, physical drills, and cognitive behavioral therapy resulting in optimal functioning of the entire psychophysiological system. This includes increasing mental toughness, enhancing tactical skills, preventing injury, self-de-escalation, regulating the nervous system and more. The result of consistent training in YFFR Protocol will not only lead to better performance and stress management but an increase in mindful responses versus emotional reactions with interpersonal communication. This course will introduce the trainee to the basic concepts of yoga, mindfulness, and resilience, functions of the brain and nervous system, as well as the principles of the YFFR Protocol that make it job-specific and culturally informed.
Course Content
Attendees will learn techniques to use right away along with resources to continue their training.
Course Objectives:
- Explain yoga, its original intent, and address misconceptions.
- Formulate the steps needed to practice mindfulness.
- Outline the 3 Principles of Resilience Training.
- Assess how a career in Law Enforcement can affect the mind, body, and nervous system.
- Categorize the basic functions of the nervous system and stress response.
- Conclude the missing skill set in Law Enforcement training.
- Illustrate how yoga can train the Law Enforcement Officer to perform at his/her highest level of functioning for tactical performance and career longevity.
- Compare how the YFFR Protocol differs from community yoga in western cultures.
- Deduce how YFFR can be added into current Law Enforcement Training Standards.
- Learn and practice the foundational techniques of YFFR protocol.
- Distinguish which basic YFFR techniques can train the entire system to process stress effectively, build resilience actively, and enhance performance tactically.
- Adopt YFFR techniques for improving body mechanics, neuromuscular efficiency, awkward shooting positions, breath control, and proprioception for tactical performance.
- Decide when and how to use and adapt YFFR techniques for optimal value.
- Understand how to implement YFFR as a consistent training tool personally or for your department. Officers should wear clothing that they would normally wear during defensive tactics training, as there will be practical applications to the classroom instructions.
This will take place on defensive tactics mats.
Watch the attached videos for further:
5 Minute – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zvRzEkxIIQc
60 Seconds – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jxh2-UqItc8
About the Instructor
Instructor: Cheryl Mabry is a 500-hr Certified Yoga teacher, and has been a life-long fitness practitioner and teacher, with a primary focus on Corporate Yoga since 2003. Cheryl’s teachings are rooted in safe, effective techniques that honor mental and physical strength with self-awareness. After spending years in gymnastics, powerlifting, cycling and strength training, and enduring a life-threatening spinal injury…then surgery, Cheryl credits her resiliency to her Yoga practice and mindset training. H injury…then surgery, Cheryl credits her resiliency to her Yoga practice and mindset training. Her deep desire to help those in the First Responder community began with her father, a Vietnam Veteran, and other extended family members that serve in local communities. After learning about Yoga for First Responders (YFFR) in August of 2018 from a recent Chicago Police Department (CPD) Academy grad, Cheryl began to research and follow YFFR. She completed her Instructor School Class 009 with YFFR in Seattle in 2019. She is currently serving as Fundraising Coordinator with YFFR and has been an active Instructor and speaker for YFFR since certifying. She recently was a Squad Leader for YFFR at Instructor School Class 014 at CPD and spoke at the ILEETA conference back in March of 2021. Cheryl engages in the YFFR Community weekly, and looks to future opportunities to learn and lead. Cheryl resides near Chicago, IL, and is deeply committed to sharing the benefits of the YFFR Protocol.er deep desire to help those in the First Responder community began with her father, a Vietnam Veteran, and other extended family members that serve in local communities. After learning about Yoga For First Responders (YFFR) in August of 2018 from a recent Chicago Police Department (CPD) Academy grad, Cheryl began to research and follow YFFR. She completed her Instructor School Class 009 with YFFR in Seattle in 2019. She is currently serving as Fundraising Coordinator with YFFR and has been an active Instructor and speaker for YFFR since certifying. She recently was a Squad Leader for YFFR at Instructor School Class 014 at CPD and spoke at the ILEETA conference back in March of 2021. Cheryl engages in the YFFR Community weekly, and looks to future opportunities to learn and lead. Cheryl resides near Chicago, IL, and is deeply committed to sharing the benefits of the YFFR Protocol.
Mobile In-Service Training Team#7 Illinois Law Enforcement Training and Standards Board
MTU 7 request for certification of this course has been approved by the Illinois Law Enforcement Training and Standards Board
Meets the following mandatory training criteria: Officer Wellness/Mental Health 8 hours
