Becoming a Trauma-Informed Yoga Teacher is a total vibe, you didn't know you needed!
In the world of yoga, the importance of being a trauma-informed(TI) yoga teacher cannot be overstated given the reality of the complex world events we are living in.
TI yoga allows you as a teacher and a practitioner to truly understand the power of the practice and the ways in which it brings you back into a regulated state of being. This is where joy, hope, creativity and connection thrive. The power of TI yoga is exponential and has been shown through countless studies just how imperative it is. When we say it’s a “vibe”, it’s literally a whole different approach to teaching yoga that is not highlighted on your IG Reels or Tik-Toks!
If you are a yoga teacher, this 3 minute read is for you.
The ACES (Adverse Childhood Experiences) study presented by Kaiser Permanente sheds light on the profound impact that trauma can have on an individual's physical and mental well-being from childhood to adult and highlights the preventative mind-body practices to help alleviate traumatic events.
It’s a fascinating read that reveals concrete evidence of what we know to be true.
Unresolved, long held trauma impacts the physical body and can exponentially reduce your quality of life.
As yoga teachers, it is your responsibility to create a safe and supportive environment for all students. There is no “especially those who have experienced trauma.”
We have ALL experienced a form of trauma.
In this blog, we will delve into the significance of trauma-informed yoga teaching, explore insights from thought leaders like Hala Khouri, and present compelling evidence from Harvard studies to highlight the benefits of this skill set for both teachers and students.
Understanding Trauma-Informed Yoga
Trauma is an experience that can leave a lasting imprint on a person's life, affecting their emotional, physical, and psychological well-being. Trauma can manifest in various forms, such as abuse, neglect, or other adverse life events. Trauma-informed yoga goes beyond the traditional practice of yoga and seeks to create an inclusive space where all students can feel safe, supported, and empowered.
Trauma-Informed Yoga is a specialized approach to yoga teaching that takes into account the profound impact of trauma on an individual's life.
Trauma can result from a wide range of experiences, including but not limited to physical or emotional abuse, neglect, violence, accidents and more, that overwhelms an individual's ability to cope. These experiences can leave deep emotional wounds and imprints that affect not only their mental health but also their physical and psychological well-being.
Trauma can manifest in diverse ways, and its effects can be long-lasting. It may lead to symptoms we all are flooded with by any media outlet. For many of us seemingly harmless triggers or situations can evoke intense emotional reactions or feelings of powerlessness.
In a traditional yoga class, instructors may not always be aware of the students' individual histories or traumas and they don’t need to if they are Trauma Informed Yoga Teachers! Uninformed well meaning teachers, might use language or cues that unintentionally trigger negative emotional responses in their students. However, trauma-informed yoga goes beyond the conventional approach. It is rooted in compassion, sensitivity, and awareness of the potential trauma students may carry.
The primary goal of trauma-informed yoga is to create a safe and supportive environment for all students.
This environment fosters healing and growth by promoting empowerment, choice, and self-awareness. Trauma-informed yoga teachers prioritize the emotional safety of their students and strive to build a sense of trust between themselves and their class participants.
Hala Khouri, a prominent yoga teacher and activist, has been at the forefront of promoting trauma-informed yoga. Her work reflects a deep understanding of the complexities and sensitivities associated with trauma, and she has dedicated her career to helping others navigate the healing process. Her work emphasizes the importance of acknowledging and responding to the trauma that individuals may carry with them. Khouri's approach focuses on incorporating somatic experiencing, mindfulness, and a compassionate understanding of trauma in the yoga classroom and is part of the foundation of The Connection Course has been delivering since 2008 across the country in 27 states to over five thousand attendees.
Somatic experiencing and mindfulness are integral components of Khouri's trauma-informed approach. Somatic experiencing involves recognizing and working with the physiological responses that arise from traumatic experiences. It encourages students to develop a deeper connection with their bodies, enabling them to process and release trauma-related tensions and emotions.
Mindfulness practices are incorporated to cultivate present-moment awareness and reduce reactivity, enabling trauma survivors to develop coping skills for managing stress and anxiety.
Her teachings emphasize the importance of sensitivity, empathy, and collaboration between yoga teachers and their students, ensuring that the practice of yoga becomes a healing and transformative journey for those who have experienced trauma.
The Importance of Being Trauma-Informed as a Yoga Teacher
Safety and Trust is a high priority when providing guidance to students on the yoga mat (and off). As a trauma-informed yoga teacher, it’s your priority to create a safe space for students.
Now we know (in the world of Connection Coalition), it’s presumptive to think we can “create safety” for another human, so we like to use the words “secure environment”.
Unresolved and long held traumatic energy often leaves you feeling vulnerable, and a nurturing environment helps you build trust and empower your student to feel supported during their yoga practice. By promoting emotional safety, TI yoga teachers can encourage students to explore their bodies and emotions without fear or judgment.
Creating trust with your students is imperative and this is a longer conversation around power dynamics, permission and more. We will resist that in another blog. We cover this in depth in the CoCo Weekend training too!
Mindful Language and Asana(poses)
Trauma survivors may be triggered by specific language or yoga poses that inadvertently remind them of past traumas. Trauma-informed yoga teachers carefully choose their words, avoid triggering language, and offer alternatives to potentially triggering poses, ensuring students feel respected and heard.
TI yoga teachers recognize the significance of offering choices and options throughout the class. Your students may have experienced situations where their agency was taken away, leaving them feeling disempowered, this is most likely any female student and many bullied humans, too!
By giving students the autonomy to make decisions about their practice, such as selecting poses or adapting postures for their comfort level in the moment, trauma-informed teachers restore a sense of control that empowers students to make choices aligned with their unique needs and comfort levels. This cultivation of empowerment helps students gradually reclaim agency over their bodies and emotions, fostering a deep sense of self-trust.
Your words are incredibly powerful tools to create an experience for your students.
Using cues you have heard from your favorite teacher may not be the best cue for your students.
For example, this teaching cue is shared pervasively when attempting to get your students into a pose like Triangle“ imagine your standing between two planes of glass”.
For some, this evokes a sense of claustrophobic energy, and an inability to breathe deeply. The cue is not bad or wrong, but it’s not permissive to allow your student to find their own comfort.
It can be a minor moment, but have long lasting effects and the student may not return again and have no idea why the teacher who is so sweet, pissed them off!
Another example is focusing on “reaching farther”, “make it pretty”, “decorate your pose”. These are simple cues, but deliver a less collaborative experience.
Learning TI yoga teaching techniques and understanding the power of your words, will embed your style deeply into the hearts of your students and you get to empower them beyond their own fears and hesitations creating deep trust and empowerment.
Harvard Studies on the Efficacy of Trauma-Informed Yoga
Harvard Medical School and other reputable institutions have conducted studies that highlight the effectiveness of trauma-informed yoga in enhancing the well-being of trauma survivors. Some of the notable findings include:
Reduced Symptoms of PTSD: A study published in the Journal of Traumatic Stress revealed that trauma-informed yoga interventions were associated with significant reductions in symptoms of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) among participants.
Improved Emotional Regulation: Research from the Harvard Review of Psychiatry found that trauma-informed yoga practices, including mindfulness and breathwork, improved emotional regulation in trauma survivors by promoting self-awareness and emotional intelligence.
Lower Cortisol Levels: Cortisol, the stress hormone, can be excessively elevated in trauma survivors. A study published in the Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine demonstrated that trauma-informed yoga was linked to reduced cortisol levels, leading to decreased stress and anxiety.
Some Benefits for Yoga Teachers to become trauma informed
Adopting trauma-informed practices will enrich your offerings and ability to guide students with varying needs and backgrounds. Understanding trauma allows teachers to respond compassionately to students' challenges and provide appropriate support.
If you have not learned the appropriate protocol for touching students and encroaching on their personal space, this one practice you will learn with Connection Coalition is worth the weekend training! We are in such a personal space with students. This is an imperative skill to help you stand out from the masses of teachers who don't yet know the value of permission, collaboration and trust.
Becoming a trauma-informed yoga teacher is not just a choice; it is a responsibility we have towards our students' well-being and personal growth. Integrating insights from thought leaders like Hala Khouri and evidence from Harvard studies underscores the imperative of trauma-informed teaching in today's yoga landscape.
By creating safe, supportive, and empowering spaces for all, we pave the way for transformation, healing, and wholeness among your students. As yoga teachers, let us embrace the gift of trauma-informed teaching and nurture a community where everyone can find solace and growth through the transformative power of yoga.
To learn more about joining CoCo for a weekend training, visit www.theconnectioncoalition.org
About the author:
Jodi has been an integral part of Connection Coalition, a trauma informed outreach organization since 2011 as a Board Member, Volunteer; Executive Director; Programs Manager and Volunteer wrangler. She has built communities, facilitated transformational training experiences, retreats, yoga teacher training and public speaking engagements. She lives in the NorCal area surrounded by fur, family, and as much nature as possible!