Body-Centered Psychotherapy
- A process that recognizes the intimate relationship between the human body and the psychological well-being of a person.
- The body is a resource for self-discovery and healing.
- It gives individuals access to memories, emotions and beliefs that are otherwise beyond words and cognition.
- It can be beneficial to people who are experiencing a wide range of complaints, including: physical, emotional, relational or traumatic.
Trauma Informed Therapy
- Noticing and embracing that trauma is the expectation, not the exception – all beings experience trauma, just on different levels.
- Awareness of how trauma affects the brain, body, spirit, & sense of world.
- Asking “What happened to you?” verse “What’s wrong with you?”
- Minimize re-victimization and facilitate recovery for all individuals in the most culturally sensitive way possible, taking into account culture, race, gender, sexuality, spirituality, and other factors.
- Behaviors are understood not merely as complaints but as attempts to cope and survive
- Services are based on the principles of safety, voice, choice and control as defined by the individual seeking services.
SOURCE: NATIONAL COUNCIL FOR COMMUNITY BEHAVIORAL HEALTHCARE
Yoga
If you are struggling with anxiety, depression, PTSD or identify as a survivor, trauma-informed yoga classes have been shown to help one cultivate a safe place (within) again and support exploring and creating a deeper connection between mind and body through intentional movement, breath and mindfulness. Healing Through Yoga class series and/or Individual yoga therapy provide participants the opportunity to:
- Find peace and healing
- Exercise choices they have to move their body in ways that feel comfortable
- Learn to establish connection to self, trust others and strengthen relationships
- Establish safety and stability in the body
- Tap into inner strength and build skills and positive coping mechanisms for managing painful experiences
- Regain power and control through mindful movements and reconnection to the body
Source: Emerson, D., Sharma, R., Chaudhry, S., & Turner, J. Yoga Therapy in Practice:Trauma-Sensitive Yoga INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF YOGA THERAPY – No. 19 (2009). PP133-128.
Trauma Informed Yoga
What is Trauma Informed Yoga? Trauma informed yoga focuses on empowering individuals by using invitational language; focuses on choices. Throughout a class you might hear the instructor say things like: “As you’re ready” “If you’d like” “You are in control of your practice” “I invite you to”
- In this yoga practice there is no right or wrong way to participate. The instructor/therapist is there to be a support – they know that you know your body best.
- There are NO physical assists in trauma-informed yoga. The intention as the yoga instructor is to not dictate specific ways to be in a pose. They are there to guide and I help you connect deeper to what feels best for you.
- The practice helps to cultivate a safe, supportive, non-judgmental environment and provides a way of becoming more friendly with your body.
- Trauma informed yoga cultivates strength and flexibility without force, emphasizes self-awareness and self-regulation and allows you to connect to your own personal exploration of the postures.
- This practice does not dictate specific ways to breathe; rather it is about connecting to your natural, authentic breath – breathing in and out in ways that feels best for you.
Source: http://www.zabieyamasaki.com/