The Importance of Including a Trauma-Informed Approach to Teaching Yoga
While teaching yoga, you may have noticed that sometimes emotional issues come up in some students during your classes. They may tell you that they experience anxiety, sadness or they may even relive a traumatic event from their past. If you have observed this but aren’t sure what’s going on or how to help a student navigate these difficult moments, read on.
People are drawn to yoga - a mind and body practice that was developed in ancient India - for the many benefits it provides. For some, it is to improve strength, balance, and flexibility. For others, it is to decrease stress and sleep better. While for others yoga is a mindfulness practice that enhances self-awareness and inner peace. In more recent times, it has been discovered that yoga can also release and heal pent-up trauma that is stored in the body. The healing power of yoga can be very beneficial for people who have experienced great loss, abuse or trauma. Let’s explore what trauma is and what a trauma-informed approach to yoga is.
What Is Trauma?
According to neuroscientist and trauma recovery expert Bessel van der Kolk:
“Trauma is not just an event that took place sometime in the past; it is also the imprint left by that experience on the mind, brain, and body.”
In other words, trauma leaves a lasting impression on all levels.
Examples of trauma include:
Physical, sexual, or emotional abuse
Parental or spousal neglect
Racism, sexism or other forms of discrimination
Living or growing up with an addict
Ongoing lack of basic resources such as food, clothing, and shelter
Severe injury or illness
Death of a loved one
Divorce
Natural disaster
War
Any other experiences that have caused an emotional or physical threat or damage
While the type and impact of trauma can vary, the body still absorbs the traumatic experience. If a person experiences a traumatic event, the body responds by trying to protect itself. The response is known as a fight, flight, or freeze response. This response is stored in the nervous system as a stress response, which remains in the system even when the threat is no longer present. Trauma survivors may experience lasting effects which are presented as hyperarousal, hypervigilance, dissociation, numbness, and emotional dysregulation.
What is Trauma-Informed yoga?
A trauma-informed approach to yoga is based on the understanding that trauma affects the entire mind-body system and can have long-term effects on the survivor. Studies show that trauma-informed yoga practices can reduce the impact of exaggerated stress responses, help with anxiety, provide emotional regulation techniques, assist with relaxation, and can be a tool to combat depression.
A yoga teacher who is trained in trauma-informed yoga knows how to create a safe, supportive space in which students can learn how to connect with their breath and increase their body awareness. Some of the elements of a trauma-informed yoga class include:
Knowing that any student may have experienced trauma – When we assume that anyone in the class may have experienced some form of trauma or the other, we can provide support, reassurance, and guidance when a yoga posture or sensorial experience triggers traumatic memories and emotional dysregulation.
Creating a safe environment – An environment in which students feel safe and comfortable will facilitate their learning. Asking if lights are too bright or dim, if music is welcome, and giving the student a choice whether or not they wish to receive physical adjustments from a teacher are examples of how to create a sense of trust and safety.
Encouraging focus on the breath – Collective deep breathing in a group class creates a sense of connection and commonality with others. Deep breathing also helps calm and relax students who struggle with depression, stress or anxiety.
Helping reconnect with the body – Many trauma survivors have disengaged with their body as a coping mechanism. Yoga postures help students reconnect with and gently care for their body.
Increasing spiritual awareness – Through meditation practices and sharing the philosophy behind yoga, spiritual awareness can be developed. This awareness helps students tap into a deeper source of their being which provides both physical and mental healing.
In conclusion, combining the practice of yoga with knowledge of trauma and how it affects the body will enable yoga teachers to welcome and support students from all types of backgrounds and life experiences, so they can also take advantage of the many benefits yoga has to offer.
