When we experience trauma, it is not just the mind that is affected. The body is too, it can often feel unfamiliar or even unsafe, and so our minds can easily disconnect. That can make experiencing life challenging. One way to move towards recovery is to reconnect and reclaim the body as our own through trauma sensitive and trauma informed yoga and movement.

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Trauma informed yoga method is an approach to creating a safe, supportive space in which students can learn emotional regulation skills through connection with the breath and increased body awareness including grounding, self-awareness, managing the stress-system and reducing the fear response.​ The approach aims to empower individuals, and to engage in an activity that supports the development of safe and supportive relationships.

 

What is the aim of Trauma informed yoga

• Gain a greater awareness of their body

• Notice any sensations in their own body (Interoception)

• Developing skills of self regulation to build our resilience

• Exploring ways of finding safety in our mind and body

• Help to release tension (trauma) stored in their body

• Learn to recognise and tolerate physical sensations

• Develop a positive relationship between mind and body

• Help improve anxiety, stress, low mood and worry

• Cultivate a sense of empowerment

 

​​I started my journey with somatic healing 4 years ago. Finding somatic healing and trauma informed yoga, movement and bodywork practices were like finding a missing piece to a puzzle in supporting people on their healing journey. I specialise within this field to help others regain a sense of safety within and to begin the healing journey in their mind and body. I continually integrates new knowledge and insights into my teaching around somatic healing, yoga and sound healing. With my nurturing energy, classes are grounded in an approach that is about the refinement of natural movements which underlie safe and inclusive practice. I am dedicated to guiding others towards finding their own healing journey.

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Trauma Informed Yoga group sessions

​​- Our TIY courses further support mind-body healing and emotional regulation to aid with trauma recovery.

- Educational handouts provided for all skills and yoga sequences, for the individuals to practice outside of class.

- Classes offer individuals to learn and experience emotional regulation skills through breathwork, somatic techniques such as       EFT tapping, Havening, Brainspotting and EMDR.

- Classes offer the space for individuals  to learn and experience mudras and sound healing

- Individuals can make up missed classes within the term by attending another class.

​- Online classes offer the space for individuals to attend anonymously. 

- Suitable for individuals from all fitness level, age, gender identities, health issues, no experience needed.

- Adolescents 14+ are welcome to attend all classes in person and online

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Trauma Informed Yoga classes

Myself, Karen and Emma are running nine-week Trauma Informed Yoga, Trauma informed Chair Yoga and Trauma Informed Yoga Nidra classes - with both in person and online classes.

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The Trauma informed yoga groups are open for individuals to attend self-funded at an investment of $450 for 9 sessions.  

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You may be eligible for ACC fully funded Trauma Informed Yoga Group Therapy Classes if you have an accepted ‘Sensitive Claim’ from past sexual trauma and are currently undertaking therapy with an approved ACC therapist. Talk with your ACC therapist who can assist in enrolling you for one of our group classes. I am happy to provide individuals with information on how to access ACC funding. 

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Feel free to get in contact through the website or email directly at 

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Term 2 (9 weeks)

29th April – 26th June

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Class times and location

​ Tuesday                                                

10.00am   Level 1 Yoga -  Christchurch                   

11.30am   Level 2 yoga -  Christchurch            

 

  1.30pm   Chair Yoga - Online                             

  6.00pm  Level 2 Yoga - Online                          

  7.30pm Yoga Nidra - Online 

Tuesday 

10.00am Chair Yoga -  Christchurch 

11.30am Yoga Nidra -  Christchurch 

 Thursday

 6.00pm  Level 1  Yoga - Online​

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Term 3

15th July – 11th September

Term 4

7th October – 4th December

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Enrollments

Click here to submit your interest.

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For the ACC lead provider 

Clients are allocated 32 group hours per year. The group hours are IN ADDITION to Package A or B hours. Clients that used their hours under ISSC are allocated a new set of 32 hours for each year under the New Sensitive Claims Service. 

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Purchase Order Request: 

To arrange approval for a client to attend the group, please contact the client's case manager. 

Please request PO for :

NCP Services (G0E543)

SCSGTT x 1 and SCSGT x 13.5 hours

PO Date Range – 29th April to 27th June 2025

Service provider: Sonya McCullough Vibrant Mind ( 25BSZK)

Can you please ask the PO to be copied to  Sonya@vibrantmindtherapy.com

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Please forward PO approval for the group attendance to confirm course acceptance for your client to 

 

Once referred, Sonya  will contact your client to undertake the triage process prior to commencing the group.  After Triage the client and lead provider will be send a welcome email and Wellness survey. 

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​Christchurch address: Risingholme Park Hall, Best Entrance and parking are at 99 Hawford Road carpark, there are 15 carparks at this entrance. On Street Parking and Pedestrian entrances on Hawford Road, Reeves Road or Cholmondeley Avenue, it is a short walk through the park

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What to expect

An hour-long session in which intentional body scans, pauses and slow movement will be presented to the indivduals. The sequence will offer variations in movement. The choice to stop at any point during the practice, to keep the camera on/off, to take more time in a certain posture or movement is up to the individual.  Participants do not have to talk to each other, acknowledging that some people may find it difficult to be in group situations. We hold a space for people to explore their inner and outer experiences safely through the medium of yoga, breath and sound healing.

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​This practice is different from Traditional Yoga classes in the following ways

Emphasis on safe cueing, for safe practice

Simple Postures

Slower Pace

Trauma-sensitive language: Invitational, Investigative, Reinforcing choice, Inclusive etc.

Exploratory

This session can be practiced on a chair

Less about the form of the posture and more about the feeling of it.

The focus is more on the internal experience of the participant (interoception)

The practice is accessible and open to everyone, regardless of flexibility, experience, age, gender.

There are no physical assists in Trauma informed yoga, you are invited, never coerced in your practice.

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Facilitators

Sonya McCullough - Registered therapist, I have worked within the mental health field for over 20 years and facilitated therapeutic groups within hospitals and community settings. I have Master degree in Health studies and have trained in various somatic therapy methods including Brainspotting (developed from EMDR), Havening Technique and Emotional Freedom Therapy (EFT Tapping). I have completed Foundational Trauma Centre Trauma Sensitive Yoga (TCTSY), Sensory Enhanced Yoga for Self-Regulation and Trauma Healing with additional certifications in Trauma Informed Yoga, Yoga Nidra and sound healing. Sonya has completed 200hr Yoga Teacher Training, she is currently completing 300 hours Yoga teacher training. Sonya has completed Trauma informed yoga for children and adolescents and yoga anatomy and physiology for children and adolescents. 

Karen Smith - Registered counselor,  Karen is an experienced practitioner working with people with various forms of trauma and addictions. She has a lifetime interest in yoga, tai chi, and dance as methods of moving and transforming. She is currently undertaking Trauma Informed Yoga training. She is a client centered therapist trained in various therapy methods including Dream Work, Motivational Interviewing, CBT and Brainspotting. Karen has a passion for empowering people to find and grow their strengths. To develop strategies to cope with life, trauma, and addictions. Karen’s compassionate and accepting nature encourages clients to explore their life and its challenges.

During the term Karen teaches emotional regulation strategies, breath exercises and mudras as well as holding a safe, warm and therapeutic space for clients

Emma Bickley - Registered counselor. Emma is an experienced practitioner working with people with various forms of trauma and addictions. She has a lifetime interest in yoga, meditation, poetry, music, spiritual identity, Te Ao Māori and other cultural/holistic arts to support healing and transformation. She is currently undertaking Trauma Informed Yoga training. She is a kiritaki centred therapist trained in various therapy methods including DBT, Motivational Interviewing, CBT and Brainspotting. Emma has a passion for empowering people to find and grow their strengths and own unique inner wisdom. Emma often has feedback from others that she has a calming presence that supports others to connect with their own sense of calm and inner peace.

During the term Emma teaches emotional regulation strategies, breath exercises and mudras as well as holding a safe, warm and therapeutic space for clients

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