Exploring Trauma-Aware Yoga: Empowering, Inclusive, and Safe Practices
Trauma-aware yoga has become a buzzword, but what does it really mean? At its core, this approach prioritizes safety, empowerment, and inclusivity, fostering environments where all students can thrive. While trauma can manifest in various ways—big “T” traumas like natural disasters and little “t” traumas such as stressful life events—its impact on the nervous system can make it difficult to be fully present.
Trauma-aware yoga is not about diagnosing or treating mental health but about complementing therapeutic work. It creates a safe, supportive, and empowering space for everyone, recognizing that we all carry unique experiences. As a yoga teacher, it’s a privilege to cultivate this environment, and as a student, it’s empowering to find practices that support your well-being.
Here are some key principles of trauma-aware yoga that can benefit both students and teachers alike:
Empowerment
Empowering students means encouraging them to make choices about their practice. This can include:
• Offering multiple options for poses without creating a hierarchy.
• Allowing students to close or keep their eyes open.
• Reminding them they can take breaks or leave the room without judgment.
For example, I once attended a Bikram yoga class where students were discouraged from drinking water or leaving the room. Halfway through, I realized it wasn’t the right environment for me and left. It was a powerful moment of honoring my needs.
As a student, embrace the freedom to make choices that suit your body and mind.
2. Safety
Creating a safe space involves clear boundaries and consistency, such as:
• Following class descriptions to manage expectations.
• Avoiding sudden changes or surprises in sequencing.
• Establishing clear consent for hands-on adjustments.
Students can foster safety by setting personal boundaries, such as declining assists if they don’t feel comfortable. It’s okay to say no and prioritize your well-being.
3. Cultivating Mind-Body Connection
Yoga is an opportunity to reconnect with your body through:
• Proprioception (awareness of body position in space).
• Interoception (awareness of internal sensations).
Teachers can cue students to notice their breath, the placement of their feet, or the sensations in a pose. Students can practice staying present, even if their minds wander or disconnect during challenging moments.
4. Non-Judgment
A trauma-aware practice invites non-judgment toward yourself and others. Teachers can:
• Avoid assumptions about students based on their appearance or skill level.
• Refrain from singling out or over-correcting individuals.
As a student, release the need to compare yourself to others. Whether you’re wobbling in a pose or lying in Child’s Pose for half the class, honor where you are without criticism.
5. Inclusivity
Inclusivity means creating a practice accessible to all bodies and abilities. Teachers can use invitational language, such as:
• “You might try…” instead of “I want you to…”
• Offering variations and modifications for every pose.
This approach removes hierarchy, allowing students to engage in ways that feel right for them.
Trauma-aware yoga is a pathway to self-discovery, healing, and empowerment. Whether you’re a student or teacher, incorporating these principles into your practice can create a more supportive and transformative experience.
If you’re interested in diving deeper, I recommend the book Overcoming Trauma Through Yoga by David Emerson and Elizabeth Hopper, which is a required read in my 200-Hour Yoga Teacher Training at True Love Yoga. For more yoga insights, listen to episodes of my Deepen Your Yoga Practice podcast.
Embrace the journey with compassion and curiosity—you are your best guide.
