trauma-informed

    yoga + mindfulness

What is trauma-informed yoga and mindfulness?

Trauma-informed yoga is a practice designed to support individuals who have experienced trauma by prioritizing safety and respect for personal boundaries. It focuses on creating a secure environment where practitioners feel comfortable exploring their bodies and movement within their window of tolerance—the optimal zone where they feel calm and in control. This approach is sensitive to trauma triggers and emphasizes choice and empowerment to help individuals reconnect with their bodies and foster healing.

how is trauma-informed yoga

different from other yoga?

Trauma-Informed Yoga differs from traditional yoga in several key ways:

  • Focus on Safety: Trauma-informed yoga prioritizes creating a safe and non-threatening environment, whereas traditional yoga may not explicitly address trauma sensitivity.

  • Choice and Autonomy: It emphasizes giving practitioners control over their practice, including options to modify or skip poses, whereas traditional yoga might follow a more structured sequence without as much emphasis on individual choice.

  • Sensitivity to Triggers: Trauma-informed yoga is designed to be mindful of and accommodate potential trauma triggers, while traditional yoga may not specifically address this aspect.

  • Empowerment: It aims to empower practitioners by fostering a sense of agency and self-compassion, whereas traditional yoga focuses more broadly on physical and mental benefits.

  • Language and Approach: The language used in trauma-informed yoga is often more supportive and inclusive, while traditional yoga might use more standard cues and instructions.

Overall, trauma-informed yoga integrates trauma-awareness principles to support healing and personal empowerment, while traditional yoga typically focuses on physical postures, breathwork, and meditation.

Learn more about Somatic Experiencing® at www.traumahealing.org.

research study: the efficacy of SE™
Somatic Experiencing for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder:
A Randomized Controlled Outcome Study: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/28585761

Amber Shumake is not a doctor, and Somatic Experiencing is not a substitute for psychiatric care or medical advice. Please consult with your healthcare provider or other professional care provider with any questions or concerns you may have regarding any health condition or any other condition that you may have before taking any action or engaging in any activity or program.