Trauma informed Yoga

WHAT IS A TRAUMA INFORMED YOGA CLASS?

A trauma-informed yoga class is a yoga session designed to create a safe and supportive environment for individuals that have experienced trauma. It incorporates principles and practices that acknowledge the potential impact of trauma on the body and mind, while prioritising the well- well being and empowerment of participants

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You can expect your yoga teacher to be  - 

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• be informed about triggers, flashbacks, dissociative states & overwhelming emotions

• create a space of safety, trust and choice for you to step out of any practice at any time and control your experience

• attend to dynamics of safety, especially as they might effect trauma survivors

• be able to put you in touch with trauma therapists if this is something you are interested in

WHAT TO EXPECT

•  Safety & Boundaries:  The instructor establishes clear guidelines and boundaries, ensuring you feel physically and emotionally safe. This could include allowing individuals to modify poses or choose alternative movements that feel comfortable for them 

• Choice & Empowerment: Participants are encouraged to make choices throughout the class, empowering them to listen to their bodies and adjust the practice accordingly. They have the freedom to  opt-out of certain poses or take breaks when needed. Fostering a sense of self agency and self-care

• Awareness of Sensations: The class emphasises cultivating present moment awareness, allowing participants to connect with their breath, sensations and physical experiences. Mindfulness techniques can help develop self-regulation skills and increase body awareness

• Trauma-Sensitive Language: The instructor uses trauma-sensitive language, avoiding assumptions , judgments or triggering terms. They create a nonjudgmental atmosphere that respects the individual experiences and avoids re-traumatisation

• Grounding & Self-Care: The class incorporates grounding techniques that help to feel more present and connected to their breath work, gentle movements and meditation to promote relaxation, stability and self-care

• Emotional Support: The instructor acknowledges and validates the potential emotional responses that may arise during the practice. They provide a compassionate space for individuals to express and process their emotions, if they feel comfortable doing so

• Community & Connection: Trauma-informed Yoga classes foster a sense of community and support among participants. This can include opportunities for sharing, group discussions, or creating a sense of shared experience and support

• Wear whatever clothes you feel comfortable in. There is no expectation of how you come dressed, what items you may bring for comfort

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A SAFE PLACE 

We may feel interested in attending a yoga class, learn more about yoga and its philosophical aspects, get fit, feel strong & improve our flexibility but it doesn't feel safe.

The prospect of a regular yoga class can feel overwhelming to some, this can be heightened if you have lived through trauma, this can include

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• large classes and people are close together

• being close to other people

• you're body being touched by the instructor

• being singled out about your form or positioning

• an expectation of what to wear

• The potential triggers of the use of yoga props such as straps and blocks

• The expectation to move into all the asanas offered throughout the class

• Feeling safe aware of the shape or form of our bodies and how it appears to others

• Not having the knowledge or flexibility

If the above has crossed your mind when contemplating attending yoga class, its likely that a Trauma Informed Yoga class would suit you better.

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COMMON MISCONCEPTIONS OF TRAUMA INFORMED YOGA

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• Classes are not a substitute for therapy, classes may include a therapeutic element but are not intended to replace guidance of mental health professionals 

• It is not about forcing or pushing individuals beyond their comfort zones

• You will not be asked to share their trauma histories or to process their memories

• Your teacher will not be in class to offer therapy but will have the appropriate information to signpost you in the direction of a number of therapists that could offer you further healing