trauma-informed yoga + meditation
"As I often tell my students, the two most important phrases in therapy, as in yoga, are “Notice that” and “What happens next?” Once you start approaching your body with curiosity rather than with fear, everything shifts."
- Bessel A. van der Kolk, The Body Keeps the Score: Brain, Mind, and Body in the Healing of Trauma
what is trauma-informed yoga?
Trauma, in its all-encompassing forms, can undoubtedly impact our emotional, physiological, and psychological well-being. After experiencing trauma, often the feelings, sensations, and memories become stored in the mind and body - frequently leading to a sense of dysregulation and unsettling within.
Trauma-Informed Yoga can foster a "coming home" to your body in a manner that establishes safety and empowerment, set by the tone and rhythm of your own healing journey. Just as trauma is inherently unique to each individual and their experiences, the practice of Trauma-Informed Yoga is designed to meet the individual needs and boundaries of each person.
Classes and sessions are facilitated within a framework where pacing is designed to be compassionate and nourishing. No physical/hands-on adjustments are given and cues are expressed as empowering invitations - ultimately, allowing individuals to remain in control of their own bodies and individual practices.
benefits:
• Classes acknowledge the possibility of triggers and aid in the survivor's ability to utilize yoga as an individualized, compassionate, and integrative practice.
• Encourages and values discussing any concerns, boundaries, or individual triggers in order to foster a safe, inclusive, and empathic environment.
• Increases the somatic and emotional integration of experiences through the connection of the mind and body.
• Values each individual's own pace and healing journey.
• Offers a non-verbal method for healing trauma prior to, or in addition to, the verbal process of traditional talk therapy.
• Develops a means of self-empowerment, connection, and safety within the mind, body, and soul.
schedule:
Please email mendwithdani@gmail.com to inquire about individual or group yoga sessions/classes.