Trauma Informed Yoga Classes

In Person & Online Options

Trauma informed yoga assumes that everyone has experienced some level of trauma or life stress. You do not need to have endured any specific type of trauma to benefit from this class. Trauma informed yoga empowers choice, safety, regulation, inclusivity, and resiliency. This class allows you to find ways to reconnect to your body and remember what it’s like to enjoy movement.

In this class the focus is on what is best for YOUR body. There is no “right” way to do yoga and thus no perfect form you’re trying to achieve, instead, focus is on tuning in to how you feel. This class allows you to gently and safely explore the right movement for you.

Trauma and stress are stored in the body and can have lasting effects that interfere with daily life. When faced with something dangerous, traumatic, or distressing our nervous system goes into a “fight, flight” response. After the threat has passed, our body should naturally come back to balance. However, sometimes after experiencing trauma, our body can become stuck in this state of fight/flight.

Yoga allows you to learn when you are in this state of distress and encourages practices to regulate the nervous system. By improving this mind/body connection we can learn to calm the nervous system, strengthen decision making, anchor to the present moment, and reclaim a sense of control and agency (which is often something that is lost after trauma).

Participants will learn emotional regulation skills through breath and mind-body awareness. Participants will be encouraged to find balance in the nervous system and learn tools to draw attention to mindfulness. Participants will be guided through grounding exercises and will learn coping skills to find individual safety and security through asana (body movement).

Some differences that you may see from other traditional yoga classes:

• No scents or candles

• Low (non-lyric) music or no music

• Clear cues/suggestions with modifications offered

• No hands-on adjustments

• Predictability and knowing what to expect when showing up to class

• Cameras on or off as an option for virtual classes

• Invitational language and choice

This is an all levels class and does not require previous experience.

Next Class:

Gentle Yoga Flow for Back Health & Posture

(Including a meditation practice and journaling)

February 12th 7-8pm via zoom

$20 per person

Email me to sign up: megansnowcounselling@gmail.com

Please note that this class will be a maximum of 8 participants