what is trauma?

 

Trauma is the way our body and mind respond to overwhelming and distressing experiences that are hard to cope with. Instead of focusing on specific events, trauma-informed approaches explore how these experiences shape our thoughts, behaviours and relationships.

 

While trauma can have lasting effects, the brain and body have a remarkable ability to change and heal. Many people find new ways to feel safe and well through practices like therapy, movement, and community support. This is known as post-traumatic growth, where people experience positive change after facing challenges.

 

In any conversation about trauma and trauma-informed practice, it’s important to remember that: our nervous system can find new ways to feel calm and regulated and learn to be flexible (which is what we want!). Relationship patterns and attachments can shift and improve. The brain can form new pathways that help us feel safer and more connected. Sometimes it takes a combination of different things to find equilibrium or healing, and it can take time.

​​

​

what is trauma-informed practice?

 

Trauma-informed practice means we have an understanding of trauma's widespread impact into the things we can do to help people with traumatic reactions engage in whatever it is we are doing in a safe(r) way. Trauma-informed thinking helps creates environments that promote safety, trust, choice, collaboration and empowerment while reducing retraumatisation risks.

 

Different sectors adapt trauma-informed principles to their specific contexts, including: yoga and other movement practices, mental health and healthcare services, social work and community support, educational institutions, government agencies, nonprofit organisations, corporate environments.

 

Note: working with traumatised individuals doesn't automatically make a service trauma-informed. When seeking support services (psychology, EMDR, yoga, bodywork), you're encouraged to ask about their trauma-informed approach.

​​

​

what is trauma-informed yoga?

 

Trauma-informed yoga is a supportive approach to yoga that prioritises emotional safety, choice, and autonomy. It recognises the impact of trauma on the body and nervous system, offering participants empowering practices to reconnect with their bodies through invitational language, non-coercive movements, and self-paced exploration.

 

It integrates functional language, person-centred practice and inclusive, accessible, non-spiritual/religious movement. 'Trauma-informed yoga' is a bit of an umbrella term, which could be referring to a broad practice, or a more specific trauma-sensitive yoga, TCTSY yoga or another specific framework.

​​

​

what is trauma-sensitive yoga?

 

Trauma-sensitive yoga is a therapeutic adaptation of yoga designed to support trauma survivors. It focuses on creating a safe, predictable space, using gentle, choice-based movements to promote interoception (body awareness) and self-regulation. This approach aims to empower participants while reducing the risk of retraumatisation.

 

People sometimes use 'trauma-sensitive yoga' interchangeably with 'trauma-informed yoga' - you can always ask a teacher/provider they are following a specific framework.

​​

​

what is TCTSY (Trauma Center Trauma-Sensitive Yoga)?

 

TCTSY is an evidence-based, therapeutic yoga model for complex trauma and PTSD, developed by the Trauma Center in Boston. It focuses on interoception, choice, and mindful body awareness to support healing. TCTSY is used in clinical settings and recognised as an effective adjunct trauma treatment globally.

​​

​

is 'trauma-informed' or 'trauma sensitive' or 'TCTSY' yoga better?

 

None - they can all be used in different ways and with different groups. They are all person-centred practices, which means they can be adapted to suit the needs of the community being supported within their frameworks. We are advocates of all ‘general’ yoga classes being taught with a good degree of trauma-awareness and that all movement facilitators should explore what trauma-aware practice looks like in their context.

​​

​

what are the benefits of trauma-informed yoga?

 

Trauma-informed yoga supports bodily integration and healing through:

• Interoceptive awareness: strengthening the connection between mind and body, enhancing awareness of internal sensations. This improved interoception can help people recognise and respond to their body's signals, supporting emotional regulation and decision-making capacity.

• Choice-making and agency: developing confidence in decision-making through moment-to-moment choices about movement and rest. This reinforces personal agency and autonomy - crucial experiences often diminished by trauma experiences.

• Window of Tolerance: movement practices help regulate the nervous system, expanding capacity to remain present with challenging experiences. This increased tolerance supports better stress management and emotional flexibility in daily life. (If you've not come across, it, Polyvagal Theory is a fabulous way to understand how this happens.)

• Community connection: shared movement experiences in a trauma-informed environment foster healthy social engagement. Practising in community builds relational safety while respecting individual boundaries, supporting healthy communities and sustainable individual practices.

​

 

what are your virtual, face to face and corporate yoga options?

​

We offer: individual virtual trauma-informed yoga by appointment, corporate wellness programs, local studio/community yoga facilitation, 8- to 10-week trauma-informed yoga series - virtually or face to face (no current intakes).

 

The trauma-sensitive/TCTSY style classes we lead are gentle and explore similar shapes. If you're interested in more active, or vinyasa-style classes we can accommodate that too.