What is Trauma-Informed Yoga?

Trauma-Informed Yoga uses invitational languaging and supportive postures along with a slower pace to re-connect practitioners with calm. This empowers them to re-associate with their body in a healthy way, calm their nervous system using breath awareness and other practices and regain control.

Trauma-informed Yoga is an approach that addresses the needs and symptoms of trauma survivors. It shifts the focus from “What is wrong with you?” To “What happened to you and how did your nervous system respond?”

Although there are many causes of trauma, it is actually a persons response to the trauma which allows for a quick recovery or detrimental effects that stick with them over time.

Some of these effects include:

  • Being easily startled or frightened.
  • Always being on guard for danger.
  • Feeling stuck or frozen in one or more aspects of life.
  • Self-destructive behavior, such as drinking too much or driving too fast.
  • Trouble sleeping.
  • Trouble concentrating.
  • Irritability, angry outbursts or aggressive behavior.
  • Overwhelming guilt or shame.
  • Hyper-Sensitivity to sounds, smells, lighting and other sensory perceptions.

M-Power Yoga & Wellness follows SAHMSA’s Recommendations for trauma, including The 6 Principles of a Trauma-Informed Approach:

1. Safety. All people, children and adults, need to feel physically and psychologically safe with clinicians, with the organization, and in the physical setting.

2. Trustworthiness and transparency. Clients and families need to trust the organization and staff, and all the operations and decisions need to be open and transparent.

3. Peer support. “Peers” in this context are people who have lived experiences of trauma, or family members of children who have experienced traumatic events and are caregivers. They are sometimes called “trauma survivors.” Involving these people in the recovery process is important for establishing safety and hope.

4. Collaboration and mutuality. Because trauma often involves power differentials, it’s important to level out power differences between staff and clients and between organizational staff members. Sharing power is a key element to a trauma-informed approach.

5. Empowerment, voice, and choice. This principle involves centering the individual’s strengths and experiences and fostering a culture that believes in the ability of people to be resilient in the face of trauma, to heal, and to promote recovery.

6. Cultural, historical, and gender Issues. Trauma-informed organizations honor the traditional cultures of clients and communities and recognize the presence of community and historical trauma.

All classes at M-Power Yoga & Wellness utilize the skillful approach of being trauma-informed. Many people are carrying the negative effects of their past trauma responses. They may not even be aware of this. A sign of this is wanting to change a habit or behavioral pattern to little avail when trying over and over again on their own. Trauma-informed yoga creates new neuropathways, promoting autonomy, wellness and integration for all.

To book a Trauma-Informed Yoga class, please reach out via FB messenger OR email mpoweryogawelless @ gmail Thanks!