As yoga teachers + studio managers and owners, we have an obligation to be mindful of the way trauma shows up for our students- this deserves the same intention and care as physical injuries. We have a powerful opportunity to support trauma survivors in their recovery, to give them the tools to support their stress-response, to help them feel ease and safety in their nervous system, to ground them in their own worthiness and to remind them that they are enough, just as they are.
Integrating trauma-informed care within the fabric and policies of your yoga studio can no longer be optional. Now more than ever, folks are searching for safe, accessible, inclusive and compassionate spaces to practice as well as teacher training programs that center trauma-informed frameworks in their curriculum. We are excited to support you with this journey.
We have launched a new Trauma-Informed Affiliate Membership Program specifically for yoga studios who are committed to creating more trauma-informed spaces, classes, and trainings.
what is trauma-informed yoga?
Trauma-informed yoga is an evidence-based modality and an empowering yoga practice that prioritizes the lived experience and healing of each and every student. Safety, trust, choice and control are some of the core components of the practice.
Trauma informed yoga supports survivors in managing a variety of psychosomatic symptoms, strengthening their enteroceptive capacity, building neuroplasticity and vagal tone, and enhancing their overall health, well-being and resilience.
Trauma-informed yoga often helps survivors build incremental shifts over time to widen their window of tolerance, strengthen their coping skills, and most importantly, feel empowered in their choices and grounded in their worth.
Frameworks of trauma-informed yoga:
Empowerment-based language
Supportive presence and the embodied practice of holding space
Nervous system care for the healing professional
Consent-affirming frameworks for assists
Creating safety in the physical space
A trauma-sensitive approach to breath work and mindfulness
Supporting students who are triggered
Cultural considerations and accessibility
Evidence-based benefits of trauma-informed yoga:
The recognition of choices in one’s life
Feelings of safety and strength
Ability to be more expressive in therapy
Increased feelings of being seen, valued and affirmed
Positive coping skills, including strengthening inner resources
Self-care strategies
Understanding of how to ask for help
Improved trust in self and others
Development of a strong sense of community
The establishment of boundaries and understanding of how to be assertive
The ability to be intimate again
Decreased feelings of depression, stress, and anxiety
Decreased symptoms of PTSD
Empowerment to seek other resources such as counseling and medical support
Increased feelings of self-compassion
Increased awareness of needs, mindfulness skills, and resiliency
Strengthen self-esteem
Strengthened emotional, physical, mental, spiritual, and interpersonal skills
Affiliate membership includes:
Trauma-Informed Yoga Certification Training for all yoga teachers and support staff
Curriculum guidance and trauma-informed training for 200 hour teacher training programs
Ongoing professional development and continuing education for yoga teachers and staff
Quarterly coaching calls
Upon certification, inclusion in our new directory of trauma-informed yoga studios, teachers, and teacher training programs
PRICING TIERS
Affiliate pricing is determined by the size of the yoga studio (ex: how many teachers, etc.). Sliding scale is available for studios that prioritize access for Black, Indigenous, People of Color, LGBTQIA+, Disabled and Low Income practitioners. Affiliate membership must be at least a 12 month commitment.
We invite you to fill out this form to begin the process of affiliate membership and to receive a pricing quote.
What if together we could re-envision healing spaces in this world?
If every yoga instructor and studio…
Knew that there were survivors taking their classes every single day, and that often their symptoms have continued to permeate their lived experience long after the trauma(s) occurred.
Could learn about trauma in their 200-hour teacher training.
Had a consent-affirming assist policy.
Integrated trauma-sensitive breath options to support survivors in the inherent triggers related to breath work.
Reminded students that they can leave class at any time.
Provided a variety of options for resting in savasana and were mindful of the common triggers related to the freeze response.
Had a plan for supporting students with triggers.
Used gender-neutral language and asked about pronouns.
Knew that being trauma-informed should not be optional.
Affirmed their students just for showing up. Because we all know that so often that is the hardest part.
Knew that the diversity of their teaching staff matters.
Used invitational and empowering language so students were reminded often that they are enough exactly as they are.
Reminded students of the power of celebrating the choices they have with their own bodies.
Asked themselves who they are not see come through their doors and why that is. And what changes could they begin making to create a more inclusive, safer environment?
Applied the concepts of consent to the studio environment and every class they teach. What if each class was a celebration of the physical and emotional boundaries of their students?
Were intentional about creating spaces for all bodies, folks in the LGBTQ+ community, and people of every race and ethnicity, socioeconomic status, ability, and gender identity.
Had gender-neutral bathrooms and safe spaces for people to change in.
Were reminded frequently that their health, healing and nervous system care matters, too.
My Trauma-Informed Yoga Teaching and Training Philosophy
I will hold the container with the utmost compassion and honor all of the ways in which trauma impacts the mind, body and spirit.
I honor the pace of each of our journeys and hold the deep knowing that we are not having uniform experiences. There is no one-size-fits-all approach. I welcome you exactly as you are.
I honor the pace in which you are able to engage with the materials and with your body. You are in control of what feels best for you. I am here to support you.
I honor the concept of working towards an embodied sense of safety and boundaries. We will work together to create a space where you can safely attend to the physiological messages of your body and honor self + community care.
I am acutely aware that many of us are holding our own lived experiences of trauma. Gentleness, self-compassion and taking what you need moment to moment will always be celebrated.
You are your greatest teacher.
I believe in the palpable stories our bodies hold and in our ability to gently uncover, tend to, and nurture them. I promise to provide multiple choices and support you in feeling seen and experiencing ease.
I can’t wait to to support you with this journey.
universities & agencies we’ve worked with
praise for transcending sexual trauma through yoga
“Dear Zabie, I don’t know where to begin in my gratitude- you are truly one of the most genuine, beautiful, sincere, strongest, honest, and inspirational women I have ever met. This has been an amazing eye-opening and life-changing experience for me. I am so excited and blessed to meet you and be on this journey with you! It was so worth it for me to come, it has been healing and emotional. My confidence has grown so much this weekend.”
“I started teaching in June last year and have been struggling to find my yoga instructor voice/purpose - feeling quite lost - I now believe that I have found it!”
“Your training left me so inspired and what I have learned from you will stay with me all of my life.”