Yoga, Trauma, and Healing

Yoga is a ~10,000 year old spiritual and philosophical practice from South Asia (with some roots in Africa!). The physical practice that most people think of when they hear the word "yoga" is actually just one of eight parts of the practice. Yoga also includes breathwork (pranayama), meditation (dhyana), and ethical principles (yamas and niyamas), and connection.

We are all born whole, just as every bird is born knowing how to fly, every acorn has everything it needs to become an oak tree, we too are born with that inherent wisdom. However, it is this world and the systems in place that very quickly rob us from that truth. Yoga is an invitation to connect with that inherent truth, bringing you back to your body, your breath, and the wisdom within.

Trauma Informed Yoga

Yoga at its core is inherently trauma-informed. However, the Westernization of the practice has watered it down, focusing more on the physical practice as a form of exercise.

Trauma-informed yoga is an approach that aims to honor the roots of the practice by cultivating mindfulness, self-awareness, and balance—tools that trauma survivors can use to reconnect with their bodies and reclaim a sense of agency. It respects the unique needs of individuals who have experienced trauma, prioritizing safety, choice, and empowerment.

Unlike many modern yoga classes, trauma-informed yoga offers:

Choice of shapes and movement to allow participants to feel in control.
Gentle, mindful guidance to foster a sense of safety.
Body awareness practices that help rebuild the mind-body connection.
Breathwork designed to support self-regulation and calm the nervous system.

In this practice, students are invited to explore their own experience without judgment, offering a pathway to healing by nurturing trust in their body.

The Science and Benefits of Trauma-Informed Yoga

Research increasingly shows the powerful benefits of yoga for trauma recovery. Studies have found that yoga can:

Regulate the nervous system: By activating the parasympathetic nervous system, yoga helps calm the body’s stress response, reducing hypervigilance and anxiety.
Lower stress and cortisol levels: Practices like deep breathing and mindful movement reduce stress hormones, creating space for relaxation.
Improve emotional regulation: Through regular practice, survivors develop skills to manage overwhelming emotions like fear or anger.
Increase body awareness and self-compassion: Yoga allows survivors to reconnect with their bodies and cultivate a kinder, more compassionate relationship with themselves.

For trauma survivors, yoga’s emphasis on presence and body awareness can offer a safe space to heal, supporting them in their journey towards wholeness.

My Approach to Trauma-Informed Yoga

As a trauma survivor myself, my approach to teaching yoga is deeply rooted in personal experience and professional training. I’ve studied with leading organizations such as The Veteran’s Yoga Project, Yoga4Cancer, and Transcending Sexual Trauma through Yoga. This training informs every class I offer, from the Thrive series, designed specifically for sexual trauma survivors, to my weekly community classes.

My goal is to create a compassionate, accessible space for healing, where every body is welcome. In my classes, you’ll find:

Modifications and chair variations to ensure accessibility.
A focus on self-empowerment, emotional safety, and play.
Practices rooted in yogic philosophy to support healing on a deeper level.

It is always your practice. It is always your body. It is always your choice.