What is Trauma Sensitive Yoga?

Trauma sensitive yoga is an approach to teaching yoga that considers the physical and emotional safety needs of trauma survivors. It aims to support survivors to gently listen to their body and to perhaps over time, find comfort there. Trauma sensitive yoga is informed by principles that have a wide theoretical foundation, including research conducted at The Trauma Centre in Massachusetts. 

What's the difference between trauma sensitive yoga and yoga?

Unlike many open yoga classes today, you will not be physically adjusted by the teacher in order to look a certain way. Instead, participants are invited to notice, and to be curious about what is happening in their body (the felt sense) and to make choices about how they move and participate, informed by this felt sense. This approach cultivates personal agency, self awareness and self regulation and perhaps over time feelings of ease.

You will never be told what to do in a trauma sensitive yoga class, you are always offered options and invited to choose the best practice option for yourself. 

Is the trauma sensitive yoga you offer an alternative to trauma therapy?

No, it is not an alternative, however it can be supportive as an adjunctive to talk based trauma therapy and treatment. Yoga's ability to develop interoceptive awareness, grounding and regulation of the Autonomic Nervous System (ANS) may assist in Phase 1 of a Phase - Oriented Approach to trauma treatment.  I am happy to assist in facilitated referrals.