Trauma Sensitive Yoga
Welcome: Your Journey Towards Healing with Trauma Center Trauma-Sensitive Yoga
Welcome to Inner Door Yoga Therapy where your body is heard, your experience acknowledged, and your healing journey supported. Here, we believe that your body stores your story, a narrative that can be rewritten through the gentle approach of Trauma Center Trauma-Sensitive Yoga (TCTSY).
The Essence of TCTSY
TCTSY is a unique and innovative form of trauma-sensitive yoga developed around the pillars of trauma theory, attachment theory, neuroscience and hatha yoga.
This yoga practice is an evidenced-based clinical treatment for complex trauma or chronic, treatment-resistant post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
It has been shown to be effective in managing the symptoms of complex trauma, PTSD, anxiety, and depression.
This is a body based therapy which does not require discussion of past trauma or any prior experience with yoga.
How Does Trauma Affect You?
“Trauma comes back as a reaction, not a memory”
Bessel Van der Kolk
Trauma residue can manifest itself in numerous ways, from physical symptoms such as fatigue and pain, to mental and emotional ones, like agitation, emotional reactivity, withdrawal, self-judgement, and substance use. It’s a broad-spectrum experience that requires a sensitive and informed approach.
Survivorship through trauma and abuse of power is unique, the body and mind create amazing adaptations which should be respected. However, despite the genius of the adaptations, trauma can leave an imprint that lives on as pain and suffering in daily lives.
Although everyone has an individual experience, some examples of the everyday effects may be a sense of feeling powerless, difficulty with decisions and relationships and a general sense of not being in control of one’s own body and life.
What is Complex Trauma?
Complex trauma develops in a space with abuse of power, this is in relational settings with repeated exposure. How the abuse of power is experienced is unique to everyone but it may be that the power dynamic involves the victim-survivor feeling threatened and unable to escape. Survival within the power abuse becomes the main focus of the body and mind.
Some examples of complex trauma exposure may be:
Childhood abuse (physical, sexual or mental), neglect or abandonment
Repeated domestic violence or abuse
Repeated witnessing violence and abuse
Prolonged bullying – school or workplace
Any scenario of disempowerment, coercive control, oppression, intersectionality
“Some people equate trauma to something big like war, death, extreme acts of violence, physical abuse, sexual abuse or natural disasters, While those are examples of trauma, trauma doesn’t have to be big like that”
– Kenny Weiss.
Complex-PTSD differs from PTSD. PTSD may result from a one off event that may or may not be within a relationship setting, such as a freak weather event.
Some adaptations to traumatic circumstances might be:
Hyperarousal
Hypervigilance
Dissociation
Feeling hopeless or powerless
Physical symptoms
Relationship difficulties
Emotional regulation difficulty
Living with adaptations can be exhausting and depleting
TCTSY has been developed around the experiences of complex trauma.
Trauma-Sensitive Yoga and the Nervous System
Trauma, stress and burnout have a profound effect on the nervous system, especially the sympathetic nervous system which is responsible for our fight, flight, freeze and fawn responses. A nervous system that is constantly geared for survival may lead to a range of emotional and physical responses.
TCTSY provides the opportunity to meet your nervous system programming and explore ways that might feel safer to notice your body and emotions, promoting balance and nurturing emotional health.
Why choose Trauma-Sensitive Yoga?
Our TCTSY sessions are specifically tailored to respect and accommodate the unique needs of trauma survivors. It’s an approach that emphasises safety, autonomy, and the freedom to redefine your relationship with your body. It allows an opportunity to re-experience your nervous system, fostering emotional well-being, and providing a pathway for healing the effects of trauma.
Trauma informed yoga is important in any yoga setting to create safer spaces for every participant. General yoga classes may be trauma informed, however, TCTSY is more specific and personalised for your own experience.
“I’ve never felt disappointed in myself here. I’m allowed freedom in movement which supports confidence in myself. I’ve learned breathing techniques that ease anxiety and the overwhelming feelings that come with it. Yoga rules”
Adam – TCTSY participant
Trauma Center Trauma-Sensitive Yoga: An Innovative Approach
The foundation of trauma-sensitive yoga lies in recognising the impact of trauma on a person’s life and their physical form. It uses elements of traditional yoga but modifies them to create an environment that is safe, nurturing, and empowering for those who have experienced trauma and disempowerment.
TCTSY methodology offers a practice of noticing the experiences of your body and breath in the present moment. Noticing your internal experience of yoga shapes increases interoceptive awareness, which has been shown to be closely linked with emotion regulation. Choice around participation is key within the practice to assist with empowerment. This can offer a safe way explore a sense of body safety and move towards symptom reduction.
Individual vs. Group Sessions: A Personal Preference
We respect your preference around how you engage with your yoga practice, therefore individual and group sessions are offered. Each provides its unique benefits, and the choice allows you to select the method that feels safe and most comfortable for your yoga journey.
How would you like to meet?: In-Person and Online
We are located in Darwin Northern Suburbs, but we understand that not everyone can attend in person. That’s why our trauma-sensitive yoga sessions are also available at your home in the Darwin region, and can be offered online, so you can choose the setting that feels most comfortable for you.
Trauma-Sensitive Training for Yoga Teachers: Empathetic and person-centred therapy
TCTSY Facilitators undergo in-depth training in trauma sensitive/trauma informed practices. They understand the nuances of psychological trauma and are committed to creating a safe space for your unique needs.
Brooke Smith is a certified TCTSY-Facilitator
TCTSY: A Complementary Approach to talk therapy
Trauma is not just a mental or emotional experience – it leaves a profound impact on the body as well. While TCTSY addresses the body and mind it also complements traditional talk therapy methods, offering a holistic path towards recovery.
Trauma Center Trauma-sensitive yoga provides a valuable adjunctive treatment for individuals working with a mental health professional. As awareness of this practice grows, it is likely to continue to be among the trending topics in the mental health field.
What to Expect in a Trauma-Sensitive Yoga Session
In our TCTSY sessions, the invitation to make choices about how you participate and move empowers you to begin to rewrite your body’s narrative. TCTSY yoga facilitators use inclusive language to extend an invitation to try different poses, but the choice is always yours. In TCTSY yoga practice you are in control of your body, your movement, and your journey towards healing. This practice is more than a yoga class; it’s an opportunity to redefine your relationship with your body and mind.
Trauma sensitive yoga encourages you to connect with your present moment experiences of your body through the integration of movement and breath practices, empowering you to explore your relationship with your body, emotions and self. TCTSY does not aim to activate or trigger trauma.
What you might notice in TCTSY sessions:
Gentle movement by invitation
No expectations or focus on an ideal pose attainment
Accessible options for all bodies
Optional engagement
No physical adjustments
Limited music and sensory input
Individual or small groups
No trauma discussion
No need for yoga specific clothing
Beginning Your Healing Journey
Regardless of where you are on your journey with your well-being, whether dealing with complex trauma, PTSD, treatment resistant ptsd, anxiety or depression, we are here with you to start where you are. It takes time to heal trauma but are you ready to begin?
Finding the right teacher who can create a healing, safer space is essential for anyone looking to explore trauma-sensitive yoga as part of their journey towards recovery.
Brooke Smith, in addition to being a TCTSY Facilitator, is a Yoga Therapist, yoga teacher, and has been working in the fitness industry with people and their relationship with their body since 2007.
Investing in yourself: Service pricing
One-on-one sessions:
$80 for 30 minutes
$150 for an hour.
For pricing information on group classes, please contact us.
Further Reading
The Body Keeps the Score: Brain, Mind, and Body in the Healing of Trauma by Bessel Van der Kolk
Overcoming Trauma through Yoga: Reclaiming Your Body by David Emerson and Elizabeth Hopper
Findings from a pilot study of Trauma Center Trauma-Sensitive Yoga versus cognitive processing therapy for PTSD related to military sexual trauma among women Veterans.
For more information see Trauma Center Trauma Sensitive Yoga
See what the founders of Trauma Center Trauma Sensitive Yoga have to share about the practice.