Trauma-informed yoga refers to yoga in which the teacher has had training in understanding trauma and how someone with a history of trauma may respond to certain poses, words, sounds, and content. Trauma-informed yoga ensures an environment in which any student may feel supported and safe.

 

We may think of trauma as a drastic event that happens to someone that has life-long lasting effects, but people can experience a minor incident that also results in physical or emotional responses that affect their wellbeing. Because there can be distinct types of traumatic events which cause several types of physical and mental reactions, many yoga students coming into a class may be experiencing the effects of a trauma. Therefore, more yoga teachers are engaging in trauma- sensitive classes every time they teach.

 

In a trauma-informed yoga class the teachers will avoid triggers, such as specific words, suggest students lower their gaze instead of closing their eyes, provide options for poses, and use cues that will offer the students choices, such as beginning with their right or left side or skipping a pose or movement if it doesn’t feel right.  Trauma-informed teachers never touch a student for an assist without asking permission. The teachers structure the class to ensure that the students can stay focused, explore their breathing, engage in movement that appeals to them, be themselves, and most of all feels that they have a safe personal space.

 

If you are suffering from a traumatic experience, there can be several benefits to practicing trauma-informed yoga. Helping you learn to breathe can support relaxation. Sometimes you may find it difficult to focus, so practicing breathwork will give you a focus and as you find your yoga breath, you can become more relaxed, calm, and centered. Helping you to learn to combine your breath with movement can bring a sense of connectedness between body and mind. Feelings of tension, disjointedness, or separation can lessen. Other benefits of trauma-informed yoga are a reduction in symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), reduced depression and anxiety, and improved sleep.

 

Trauma-informed yoga is not a style of yoga like Vinyasa or Hatha. It is a way of teaching yoga and sharing the yoga experience that allows everyone in the room to feel safe, engage in mind/body connection, and have choices while they practice.

 

If you would like more information on where you can find a trauma-informed yoga class near you, reach out via email to the Yoga Alliance or check their website for trained Trauma-informed teachers.

 

Cynthia Johannes-Beecher, MHA, RPh, RYT, E-RYT200, RYT500, owner and teacher at Your Yoga, in West York, is certified in daily mindfulness and aromatherapy. For more information, visit YorkYourYoga.com.