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/