Well, to understand what trauma-informed yoga (TIY, for short), is, we have to look at how we define trauma. One common way I’ve heard many define trauma is as anything that is “too much, too fast, and/or too soon” (Psychology Today). There are also different forms of trauma. Acute or “shock” trauma is usually defined as a single event in one’s life that has lasting consequences. Developmental or chronic trauma is usually defined a series of ongoing events, such as physical, sexual, or psychological abuse. One that I unfortunately don’t see recognized enough is systemic trauma, or the trauma of constant systemic/societal marginalization of groups of people due to race, gender, sexual orientation, ethnicity, religion, disability, body size, etc. The common thread in all these types of traumas is that, when they happen to us, our choice is taken away. Our voices, our power, our autonomy over our bodies and ourselves, our mind-body-spirit connections are all compromised. Our autonomic nervous systems are directly attacked, rendering us unable to self-regulate or cope in healthy ways.

 

Some ways trauma might manifest in the lives of survivors*:

• Depression and/or anxiety

• Addiction

• Disordered eating & negative or dysmorphic body image

• Flashbacks

• Difficulty regulating emotions and/or breathing

• Hyper-vigilance and/or shutting down

• Physical pain, internal systems imbalances, or other forms of dis-ease

• Feeling alone/isolated from others

• Low/negative self-worth or self-image

 

*The list goes on and on. Trauma’s impacts are still being researched and there’s already so much information out there on it. My understanding is that it looks and feels different for everyone. The best way to understand your trauma, and/or any diagnoses that might be related to it is by talking to a licensed mental health professional. There are tons of resources for accessible mental health services, including but not limited to: 

 

The one thing I want to make abundantly clear to anyone reading this who has a history of trauma: what happened to you, and however it has impacted in your life, is not your fault. I say this not only as someone who has studied and been dedicated to this work, but as a trauma survivor who has experienced the healing power of yoga. And so if you are now tasked with having to heal, please know that you deserve support through the entirety of that process. You do not have to go it alone. 

 

And that’s where our work together comes in.

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So what is Trauma-Informed Yoga (TIY)?