What is trauma-sensitive yoga?

[bellbird]

I've heard the term 'trauma-sensitive yoga', or similar, mentioned in a couple of posts now (I can't remember exactly who by, sorry, bad memory :))

So what is it? I thought it would be most informative to find out from people who've actually gone through the process.
-is it similar to regular yoga? presumably there are differences between the two that make this 'trauma-sensitive', but how so? Are they particular poses/postures that are better for that purpose, or is it different through other ways?

Is it something you can take a youtube video class of, or do you need to attend a physical yoga session?
And is the instructor a yoga instructor or a therapist?
Totally just curious, as I practice regular yoga, and am wondering if and how trauma-sensitive yoga provides additional benefit.

Thanks in advance for any clarity with this :)

 

[shatter eyes]

Good question i wonder also.

 

[Lamename01234]

My understanding is trauma sensitive yoga is done by a yoga instructor that has had training in how to work with movement in the body with people who have had trauma. In my town the woman that offers these classes is also a therapist. I know she does not use straps during classes. Certain poses are modified and there absolutely no pressure to do any poses that make you uncomfortable. In my town where you can throw a rock and either hit a therapist or yoga instructor :) a lot of therapists here also can incorporate yoga but they are certified are yoga instructors, the initials behind there name is RYT. A Registered Yoga Teacher. I am sure there are You Tube videos.

 

[mumstheword]

There is a book called " Overcoming Trauma through Yoga; reclaiming your body
By David Emerson
& Elizabeth Hopper Ph D
Trauma sensitive yoga is essentially yoga taught through the lens of someone trauma informed, so a trauma sensitive yoga teacher would never take it for granted that they could just come up and touch someone, as opposed to many yoga teachers who will just come up and push your back or some other rearranging of your body. They emphasize self regulation and give you more encouragement to tune in to what feels comfortable to you, rather than being so prescriptive like "normal" yoga teachers.

 

[MyWillow]

It’s much more about noticing and accepting without judgement and having CHOICE than anything else. Normally you would have a trauma informed yoga instructor. They are usually very passionate about the work. They get that sitting in stillness and silence is horrendous for some people. That focussing on breath and movement at the same time can be panic making for some people. That having a sense of choice about what you do is novel for some people....you can chose to be still or stay with the same movement or explore a new one or modify it to suit what your body can cope with in that moment. You can have your eyes open or shut. You can sit when everyone else stands. You can change your mind at anytime.

I’ve been going for several months. I hated it to begin with and now I hate it 10% less. I often feel like I want to throw up, run away or dissociate. I’m a reasonably active person but being still makes me feel so so vulnerable. Working on it ;)

 

[bellbird]

Oh wow, this makes a lot more sense now. Thank you all for your replies, they were very insightful!
I'm so used to practicing my normal yoga in my room by myself, so had totally forgotten that most 'normal' teachers would make the assumption that they could make physical adjustments of their students and/or assume everyone was comfortable doing the same thing.

Working on it

Good on you :)

 

[EveHarrington]

It’s much more about noticing and accepting without judgement and having CHOICE than anything else....

If you hate it so much, why do it?

I totally get that many things that are good for us, we may not like, but at the same time, why choose yoga over other forms of exercise?

Kind of like how mindfulness is toted as the end all and be all of treatment (it’s not), I’m kind of thinking the same about yoga.

Yes, I’ve tried yoga a number of times now. I’ve tried other similar types of exercise with the same results. I’ve cone to the conclusion that this kind of exercise just isn’t for me. Lol, you’d have to change everything about yoga, not just make it trauma sensitive, in order to make it something that would help me instead of make me worse!

 

[MyWillow]

If you hate it so much, why do it?

I totally get that many things that are good for us, we may n...

Yep. I get that. However I DO a lot of other exercise. I’m pretty fit. I over work and over commit. But it doesn’t help with learning to stop and be still.

 

[EveHarrington]

Yep. I get that. However I DO a lot of other exercise. I’m pretty fit. I over work and over commit....

Why do we need to learn to stop and be still?

 

[MyWillow]

Why do we need to learn to stop and be still?

I do. Not “we” necessarily. Because I drive myself into the ground as a coping mechanism. It’s not working so well as it used to.

 

[Freida]

I'm starting next week....during the appt set up she said
You will always be able to see the exit
There will only be 6 people in the room
We will keep our distance from you at all times
We will only stand where you can see us
We will not touch you to adjust your post

That got me to agree to go...stay tuned for more lol

 

[bellbird]

That's great @Freida , looking forward to hearing how it goes :)