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Trauma Informed Yoga
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.
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Trauma informed yoga is a specialist branch of yoga which helps people recover from the impact of trauma on the body, brain, emotions, nervous system, and sense of self. The first stage is focused on creating safety, learning to manage difficult emotions, and beginning to consider and explore what trauma-related patterns may exist and how we might work with them. Trauma-informed yoga encourages individuals to reconnect with the physical body and notice sensation, which is essential for wellbeing. 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
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Gain a greater awareness of their body
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Notice any sensations in their own body (Interoception)
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Developing skills of self regulation to build our resilience
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Exploring ways of finding safety in our mind and body
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Help to release tension (trauma) stored in their body
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Learn to recognise and tolerate physical sensations
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Develop a positive relationship between mind and body
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Increase awareness of our internal, felt experience
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Help improve anxiety, stress, low mood and worry
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Cultivate a sense of agency and empowerment
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Live in the present moment
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Rebuild and strengthen relationship to self and others that is authentic and safe
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​I started her 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 healing journey in their mind and body. As well as exploring the importance of creativity, I enjoy learning and allowing my practice and teaching to evolve. 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. This means a deep transformation on an identity and wellbeing levels, more inner connection and self-acceptance, deeper sense of self-trust, self-compassions and empowerment. I am dedicated to guiding others towards finding their own healing journey.
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Trauma Informed Yoga individual sessions
You can be supported to engage in Trauma informed Yoga within 1:1 therapy session with myself. During the session you will be supported engage in breathing exercises, yoga forms, self regulation and savasana. Resting in the relaxation pose called Savasana, for five or ten minutes at the end of a yoga session works powerfully on releasing, healing and relaxing.
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- 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 and Lili 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. PO for term 1 2025 needs to be approved by the 20th November 2024
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Feel free to get in contact through the website or email directly at
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Term 1 (9 weeks)
January 28-30 to March 25-27 2025
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Class times and location
​ Tuesday Wednesday Thursday
10.00am Level 2 Yoga - Christchurch Level 1 Yoga - Christchurch Level 1 Yoga - Christchurch
11.30am Level 2 Chair yoga - Christchurch Yoga Nidra - Christchurch Level 1 Chair yoga - Christchurch
1.30pm Level 1 Yoga - Online Level 2 Chair Yoga - Online Level 2 Yoga - Online
2.45pm Level 1 Chair yoga - Online
5.30pm Yoga Nidra - Online Level 2 Yoga - Online Level 1 Yoga - Online
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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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Yoga Nidra Classes
Yoga Nidra literally means yogic sleep. It is an ancient meditation technique where the participant enters a deep state of ‘conscious’ relaxation whilst either lying or sitting still. Although participants may feel very relaxed in body and mind, they will also feel quite awake and aware of themselves at the same time, which maintains a felt sense of ‘safety’. This practice is particularly beneficial for people who have experienced trauma and live in a constant state of feeling unsafe and hypervigilance, to learn to comfortably experience feeling safe and relaxed within.
Emotional Regulation Skills
Emotional regulation skills will be offered in all classes. These skills can then be utilised in the participants daily life in times of overwhelm from experiencing trauma triggers, or increased stress, to enhance a heightened sense of self control during intense and difficult emotions. Skills taught are from a range of Therapy modalities including Brainspotting, EMDR, Emotional Freedom Techniques (EFT tapping), Havening Technique, Dialectical Behavioural Therapy (DBT), along with Mindfulness and Pranayama Yoga breathing practices. It is well documented that breath control as it is taught in yoga, can support a participant’s capacity to ground in the present moment and to enable activation of the parasympathetic nervous system when the sympathetic nervous system has been activated.
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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.
Lili James - Lili is a registered counsellor, group facilitator and accredited EMDR therapist. Lili has a Post Graduate Diploma in Counselling Theory, Bachelor of Counselling, Diploma in Trauma Management and Diploma in Psychology. Lili has been working as a therapist for over a decade, specialising in working with trauma and EMDR therapy. Lili has completed a trauma informed yoga certification and has facilitated therapeutic groups for adults in local agencies and universities. Lili believes in the deep connection between mind, body and soul, seeing somatic therapies as integral to one’s healing from trauma. During the term Lili teaches emotional regulation strategies, breath exercises and mudras as well as holding a safe, warm and therapeutic space for clients.
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Enrollments
Indivduals or therapists may like to fill out online enrollment form via
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For the ACC lead provider
Purchase Order Request:
Group-based Therapy is available for clients with an accepted sensitive claim who are currently engaged in therapy with a Lead Provider. Trauma Please reach out if you need support around rational for hours or extra hours. Once referred, Sonya or Lili will contact your client to undertake the triage process prior to commencing the group.
To arrange approval for a client to attend the group, please contact the client's recovery partner as soon as possible. Please request PO for South Coast Psychology (G09884), 13.5 hours x SCGW and 1 hour x SCGT with PO Start Date – 28th January 2025 to Expiry Date – 30th March 2025.
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Please forward confirmation of ACC approval for group attendance asap to confirm course acceptance for your client
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Risingholme Hall
Contact Me
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Please feel free to contact me should you have any queries or questions regarding my services.
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Phone: +64 27 444 0873
Email: