What is Trauma Sensitive Yoga?
In Trauma-Sensitive Yoga (abbreviated as TSY), you learn how to release and discharge tension. It is a holistic approach to yoga that specifically takes into account the impact of trauma on the nervous system and the body. Recovery of energy and resilience is central, providing you with various tools to manage tension and stress. It also covers how to recognize sensations in the body and how to respond to them.Â
Strengthen your own influence
The main tools are interoception and making your own choices. Interoception refers to noticing sensations in the body and being able to feel whether you would like to amplify or diminish those sensations. During the yoga practice, options are provided from which you are free to choose. By practicing this, you develop the realization that you yourself can exert influence over what you do and how you feel about it.Â
Increase body awareness
The goal of Trauma-Sensitive Yoga is not only to promote physical flexibility and strength, but also to help people increase their body awareness, reduce tension, and learn to cope with stress and trauma responses.
How was Trauma Sensitive Yoga developed?
Trauma-Sensitive Yoga was developed at the Center for Trauma and Embodiment in the United States, under the direction of Bessel van der Kolk and David Emerson.
It is a therapeutic approach to yoga specifically for people who have experienced trauma. This takes into account the fact that ’traditional’ yoga can sometimes (unintentionally) be overwhelming or triggering for traumatized individuals.
Trauma-Sensitive Yoga integrates knowledge from neuroscience, psychology, and yoga philosophy.
How does Trauma Sensitive Yoga work?
Trauma is stored in the body. To truly resolve trauma, it must be unraveled, and the body must, as it were, be reset. Yoga is a tool you can use for that. Yoga comes from the Sanskrit word ‘yuj’, which means to connect, join, and unite.Â
Gentle poses
In Trauma Sensitive Yoga, through a subtle flow of gentle, relaxing, and accessible poses, you are kindly invited to turn inward. And to encounter physical sensations and emotions here within your boundaries. You can learn, step by step, to increase body awareness.
The goal is to increasingly experience your body as safe and predictable, and as a means of self-regulation.Â
Who is Trauma Sensitive Yoga for?
Practicing traditional yoga can sometimes trigger people with trauma experiences. Bringing attention to the body and/or doing breathing exercises can feel unsafe.
Trauma-Sensitive Yoga has been specifically developed for people with post-traumatic stress disorder and people with complex trauma. It is a body-oriented approach that can be very supportive, and can be followed alongside another form of trauma treatment.
Where can I take Trauma Sensitive Yoga?
There are many trauma-sensitive trained yoga teachers. They work in yoga schools, at trauma centers, or from an independent practice.
Overview of TSY facilitators (non-exhaustive):
Online
This form of yoga can also be followed online because no physical touch is used. You are continually invited to feel for yourself what is right for you at that moment. It can sometimes be nice to take up all the space you need in your own environment.
Where can I find more information about Trauma Sensitive Yoga?
- Bee Trauma Sensitive Yoga Netherlands.
- Bee Trauma Sensitive Yoga, part of the Center for Trauma & Embodiment at JRI.
Reading tips
- Trauma-Sensitive Yoga: how it helps heal trauma traces – Holistic, 12.04.2023
- Learning to feel again. How Trauma Sensitive Yoga works – Yoga by Happinez, 59-63
- Overcoming Trauma through Yoga – David Emerson and Elizabeth Hopper
- Trauma-Sensitive Yoga in Therapy – David Emerson and Joseph Spinazzola
Watch tip
Read more?
In collaboration with
Anouk Prop
Psychologist, trauma therapist (trained in Somatic Experiencing, NARM, Bodynamic, and polyvagal theory), yoga teacher, and Reiki master. Anouk has her own practice. Mind & Body coaching and provides the Trauma Healing training.
