What is Trauma Sensitive Yoga?
Trauma Sensitive Yoga (TCTSY) is an evidence-based clinical intervention for different types of Traumas such as Complex Trauma and or chronic, treatment-resistant post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). It has been proven through 20 years of research to be just as effective as talk therapy. Though trauma treatments have historically focused on the mind, it is now widely accepted in trauma healing literature that incorporating the body into trauma work is significantly beneficial for all trauma survivors (Ogden, Van der Kolk, Levine, Rothschild, Emerson, Haines). What is Trauma?......in simplest terms, Trauma is a state of being completely and chronically overwhelmed with no one to help you, protect you or guide you through it, basically leaving you to respond to the events(s) on your own. This often internalizes as unworthiness, unresolved chaos and perceived constant threats/dangers fear and helplessness. Trauma sends signals to the nervous system which alters how you view the world, seeing it as unsafe and leaving you to believe that you cannot rely on others to help and support you. The nervous system is left to act in a constant fight, flight or ‘fawn mode’ (a psychological defense mechanism to avoid harm, by pleasing, appeasing, submitting and being compliant to prevent criticism and abandonment). Indeed, the autonomic nervous system is left in a state of long-term stress activation. The subsequent overexposure to cortisol and other stress hormones can disrupt almost all of your body’s processes (Mayo Clinic). The core symptomatology of trauma includes avoidance, changes in arousal, intrusions, changes in cognition (ways of thinking about self or world around self). If you think about it, in some way or another, we may all have experienced some form of Trauma that we may still be holding on to in parts of our bodies. Trauma Sensitive Yoga (TCTSY), through certain movements, freedom of choice and in a safe space for interoception (internal body sensing), allows for the nervous system to rewire, to reintegrate, to re-connect, to re-regulate, release tension and to rediscover one’s true calm self.
How is TCTSY different from regular yoga?
-Our facilitator’s priority is to create a safe and comfortable space: You are free to set up how you like, with or without music, lighting, in a chair or on a mat, leave or stay, move or be still whilst the facilitator guides you through a practice.
-You are encouraged to practice making choices: Trauma happens in the absence of choice; therefore, a lot of invitational language is used so that participants may choose how to move versus commands as in a regular yoga session. This is to help you regain a sense of control and to rebalance fear and overwhelm.
-Time is allotted for interoception: Checking in with how your body is feeling by focusing on the felt-sense of the body and restoring the mind-body connection.
-There are no assists or adjusts as in regular yoga. The focus is not on “doing it right” rather, the focus is on the internal experience of the participant, a shift in orientation from the external to the internal.
-The facilitator practices in their body along with you, exercising compassion, safety and connectivity as transformative forces. Healing is relational and collective, not only individual. In this relationship, agency and trust are restored and developed.
-Importance is placed on the process not the progress: Healing is not linear and is complex. Healing is grounded in the relationship between trauma, attachment and authenticity. Therefore, there is no pressure in a TCTSY facilitated yoga experience.
Benefits of Trauma Yoga (TCTSY)
ü Increased self confidence
ü Increased feelings of joy
ü Increased engagement in life
ü Increased emotional balance and improved overall well being
ü Increased resilience
ü Increased focus and concentration
ü Increased energy levels and performance (less fatigued)
ü Increased connection to self, body, the REAL YOU!
ü Enhanced creativity and problem solving
ü Enhanced sleep quality
ü Enhanced relationships and getting along with others
ü Greater emotional regulation
ü Quicker access to a state of calm
ü Greater sense of agency
ü Reduced pain associated with headache, back pain
ü Reduced stress
ü Reduced anxiety
ü Reduced Cortisol levels
ü Reduced symptoms of Depression
What to expect before your first visit?
Once you book your appointment with us either over the phone or online…our TCTSY facilitator Sara will contact you to have an initial conversation to ensure that Trauma Yoga is suitable for you. Then, in order to support your sense of safety, comfort and personal needs, Sara requests that you fill out a private Questionnaire and intake form which she will send to you via e-mail personally. You are free to share as much or as little information as you feel is right for you. Anything you share will help you and Sara with working together on your journey, and remains 100% confidential between Sara and yourself.
What to expect on your first visit?
You and Sara will go over your Questionnaire and Intake form. You may then discuss Koshas. Koshas are different layers/sheaths of our human experience/consciousness. Physical, Energetic, Mental/Emotional, Wizdom/Intellect and our true selves The Bliss Body. We are more than just our physical make up of skin, bones, tissues and organs! Through discussions, Sara, with her vast knowledge and exceptional listening skills, will be able to pull and piece together how certain life experiences you have experienced or emotions you feel, may connect with physical and mental symptoms. It is indescribable how many “AHA” moments are experienced during a TCTSY facilitated session. 😊 Next, you and Sara may discuss Safety Anchors/ Safety Resources. These are points of focus to help you feel grounded and secure while exploring your body. In the event you become overwhelmed or dysregulated during the shared yoga practice, Sara will redirect you to your pre-determined safety anchors. Sara will then invite you to a TCTSY grounded movement session with your choices as the main drivers. You may choose how to set up your own physical space, (lighting/not, music/not use props/not, hold gemstones/not whatever feels right for you). You may/may not use the suggestions or shapes from Sara, she will do her best to offer an authentic, shared movement session based on your discussions. This is an individualized, unique, shared experience with Sara exercising compassion, safety and connectivity as the transformative forces, no pressure to do things “right”, with a lot of time allotted for interoception and the key reminder here that it is all about the process and not an end result. Leave feeling lighter, empowered in your yoga program and encouraged and supported on your healing journey toward your true self with Sara.
Sessions (private) are usually 1 hour. A package of 3 may be purchased at a lesser cost. Packages of 3 are only available to be booked with our receptionists. One session is $121.00. A package of 3 sessions is $333.00.