The idea of being "trauma sensitive" is not a new one. You even find the idea in schools in which educators keep the impact of trauma on learning at the center of their teaching. In 2002, yoga practitioners started applying trauma sensitivity to their practice.

As UPLIFT points out, people who've experienced acute trauma often feel a disconnect with their bodies. Since yoga's purpose is to align the mind and body, the practice seems natural for treating victims of trauma. Keep reading for some core domains of the trauma-sensitive yoga practice.

Studio

The studio's environment must be safe and welcoming. Trauma survivors often feel vulnerable, and the studio's aim is to make them feel comfortable. Practitioners can achieve this ambience in several different ways. For one, they usually cover the windows so students feel safe from exposure. They also dim the lights and minimize external noise.

Many standard yoga studios feature mirrors. However, mirrors can be a distraction to trauma survivors as they're trying to connect with their mind and bodies, so trauma-sensitive studios don't usually have mirrors in the practice area.

Instructor

The instructor is expected to be similarly welcoming and positive. Part of this mood comes from the language instructors use. Their directives are meant to be invitational. Instead of pushing students to achieve a certain level, these instructors invite students to continue. This approach feels more welcoming because it's student centered.

The instructors should also convey a positive attitude. For instance, they often arrive first and welcome students into the exercise space as they arrive. Naturally, they usually smile and offer encouragement.

Adjustments

In a standard yoga studio, instructors often physically help students with difficult yoga poses. Physical touch may seem necessary because the instructors push students to reach their next level of practice.

Trauma-sensitive instructors realize many trauma survivors don't want to be touched, at least without warning. They're more likely to offer verbal assists. These verbal assists often sound like suggestions because the instructors use phrases such as "if you like." For instance, they might recommend the use of a yoga block to help access a pose.

Exercises

The core of any yoga practice is the selection of exercises. In some cases, the poses for trauma-sensitive yoga are the same as for standard yoga. However, the instructor often focuses their classes on postures meant to encourage the reconnection of mind and body.

The instructors also cater the poses to the students. They may focus on strength for some students and relaxation for others. The student-centered nature of the practice comes through here.

Look into trauma-sensitive yoga to help reconnect mind and body after suffering a trauma. For more information, reach out to a company such as Juanita Giles LLC.