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Trauma Informed Yoga

When we experience trauma, it is not just the mind that is affected. The body is too. Having a body 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

  • 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

  • Increase awareness of our internal, felt experience

  • Cultivate a sense of agency and empowerment

  • Live in the present moment

  • Rebuild and strengthen relationship to self and others that is authentic and safe

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The main aim of a Trauma informed yoga class is to offer individuals the opportunity to use yoga forms to notice what they feel in their body. Then, based on what they feel or experience, practise making choices about how they choose to respond to those sensations. It is crucial to understand that Trauma informed yoga is not therapy (although it can be part of a client’s therapy programme); individuals are not expected to discuss or access their trauma memories during yoga sessions.

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Trauma Informed Yoga 

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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Trauma Informed Yoga classes

Myself and two colleagues are running nine-week Trauma Informed Yoga and a nine week Trauma Informed Yoga Nidra classes - with both in person and online classes.

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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 starting soon! I am happy to provide individuals with information on how to access ACC funding. 

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Class times and location

Tuesday

10.00am - 11.00am       Level 1 Trauma informed Yoga -  Christchurch

11.30am - 12.30pm       Level 2 Chair yoga - Christchurch 

1.30am -  2.30pm          Level 2 Trauma informed Yoga - Online

5.30pm - 6.30pm           Yoga Nidra - Online

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Wednesday

10.00am - 11.00am      Level 2 Trauma informed Yoga -  Christchurch

11.30am - 12.30pm      Yoga Nidra - Christchurch 

1.30am -  2.30pm         Level 1 Chair Yoga - Online

5.30pm - 6.30pm          Level 1 Trauma informed Yoga - Online

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Thursday

10.00am - 11.00am      Level 1 Trauma informed Yoga - Christchurch

11.30am - 12.30pm      Level 1 Chair yoga - Christchurch 

1.30pm -   2.30pm        Level 1 Trauma informed yoga - Online

5.30pm - 6.30pm          Level 2 Trauma informed Yoga - Online

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2024 Dates

Term 1 (9 weeks)

13, 14 & 15th Feb to 9, 10 & 11th Apr 2024

Term 2 (9 weeks)

30 Apr, 1 & 2nd May to 25, 26 & 27th Jun 2024

Term 3 (9 weeks)

23, 24 & 25th Jul to 17, 18 & 19th Sep 2024

Term 4 (9 weeks)

15, 16 & 17th Oct to 10, 11 & 12 Dec 2024

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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, 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, lies with the practitioner.

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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 completed Foundation Trauma Centre Trauma Sensitive Yoga (TCTSY), Sensory Enhanced Yoga for Self-Regulation and Trauma Healing with additional certifications in Trauma Informed Yoga and Yoga Nidra. I have completed 200hr Yoga teacher training. 

Gaye Mallinson - Diploma of Counselling and Bachelor of Social Service (Counselling with Distinction), ACC approved Sensitive Claims Therapist. Gaye has completed training in Foundational Trauma Centre Trauma Sensitive Yoga, Sensory Enhanced Yoga for Self-Regulation and Trauma Healing and has further certifications in Trauma Informed Yoga and Yoga Nidra. She is currently completing a 200hr Yoga Teacher training and Pranayama (Breathwork) certification. She is also trained in various therapy methods including Dialectical Behavioural Therapy (DBT), Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT), as well as various somatic methods such as Brainspotting (BSP), and Emotional Freedom Therapy (EFT Tapping).

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For the lead provider and participant

Purchase Order Request: 

Group-based Therapy is only available for clients with an accepted sensitive claim who are currently engaged in therapy with a Lead Provider. Trauma Informed Yoga Therapy should be planned and delivered as part of Support to Wellbeing by the client's Lead Provider. Once referred, Sonya or Gaye 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. You will need to provide a rationale, an anticipated PO expiry date and request the following codes be approved:

SCGT x1hr  (Triage for Group-based Therapy)  

SCGW x13.5hrs  (Group-based Therapy in-person sessions)

Please request an expiry date of end December 2024 to cover any unforeseen circumstances.

 

Please forward confirmation of ACC approval for group attendance asap to confirm course acceptance for your client (It's ok for the PO to follow once processed by ACC).

 

The supplier code is G09884 (South Coast Psychology)

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