Understanding the environment:
Traditional yoga has many benefits, many are therapeutic.
That’s not to say all classes are a form of therapy.
Yoga is a spiritual practice. Since its continued growth many consider it a form of exercise with some classes requiring a high level of physical skill techniques and strength. It’s certainly not a sport, perhaps an Art form in some case.
As more and more people self-refer into a yoga class as part of a healing journey, I consider the implications of Yoga Therapy.
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Triggers and emotive responses:
It’s not unusual to feel emotions coming up in yoga classes that you don’t usually feel, or don’t expect.
A trigger can be described stimulus that may cause someone an emotional or physical response or worsen symptoms of mental illness.
Techniques used in Yoga can sometimes bring up some deep emotive responses.
I’ve cried in yoga classes. Had overwhelming emotional responses. It can come up unexpectedly and the unknown feeling can make me feel uncomfortable, especially in a room of people that I don’t really know.
Yoga incorporates mindfulness practices and invites students to practice self-reflection. This can evoke painful feelings or memories, sometimes associated with traumatic events.
It’s very important you feel safe in these circumstances.
Therefore, group classes are not always suitable for people in active addiction to substances or people struggling with severe mental illness, as both the practice and response to the practice can trigger a worsened mental state.
Every class is very different, many yoga teachers have a plethora of trainings and experiences bringing their own unique offering to a class or session.
If you are on a healing journey with yoga, it’s important you feel comfortable and safe in the classes you choose. Be sure to keep reading for some guidance if you ever do feel triggered.
Yoga Therapy:
Yoga supports our peace of mind, stress reduction and mental clarity. On a physical level it improves our bodily functions, supports healing and the practices are proven to tone major organs, keeping us as healthy as we can be.
The breathing techniques, we call Pranayama can reduce physiological arousal and calm the nervous system, which help manage symptoms of anxiety, hypervigilance, and hyperarousal commonly associated with trauma.
It’s accessible and a truly practice for everyone, with the correct support mechanisms in place when used for therapeutic purposes.
Yoga Therapy as a practice, blends the ancient wisdom of yoga with modern, evidence-based practices. It’s person-centered and tailors’ interventions to needs of the individual.
Yoga as a therapy has its foundations in the Koshas framework which explains the human experience as five interconnected layers: Physical, energetic, mental/emotional, wisdom/intuition, and spiritual/connectedness. All these aspects of self-contribute to well-being.
A trauma informed yoga class focuses on creating a supportive environment tailored to the needs of the students in the class. In a trauma informed yoga class safety and choice is paramount. The teacher or studio will strive to accommodate the diverse experiences and range of often complex needs of the students. Classes will be smaller in size and much slower in content. Activity will gently introduce mindfulness to promote and work towards self-awareness, alongside practices to develop resilience and promoting healing.
At Shanti Bee we are a trauma aware space. We host trauma informed classes as part of our Steady Souls program.
While we can’t promise to illuminate all triggers, as who can. We will do all we can to minimize them and hold an inclusive, safe and empowering space.
We are a supportive and inclusive community. We hold this space so that our members can practice with others who may have similar experiences supporting their healing journey.
What if I’m triggered?
Trauma can show up in your body, during a class, or after a session. Understanding that it is a response and part of a process which you are doing to support your healing is important.
Breathe
If you experience sensations or emotions arising in your body that feel overwhelming or distressing, or perhaps you can’t connect to how it makes you feel, pause from the practice and take several deep breaths. Taking an equal inhale and exhale is a great way of regulating, inhale for 5, exhale for 5.
Breathing deeply can help activate the body’s relaxation response and create a sense of grounding.
Check-in
Take a moment to check in with yourself. If you’re able to can you observe the physical sensations, emotions, or thoughts that arise without reaction. We’ve written some thoughts on the importance of checking in you can read here.
Modifications
If certain poses or movements are triggering a physical or emotional response, can you modify your practice? It’s nice to find movements that suit you and if you are not sure, your teacher should have a few modifications up there sleeve in case of this situation.
Remember that you can choose to opt out any time you like and take a child’s pose, for example or simply take a break and focus on gentle movements and breathwork in a comfortable seated position, eyes can be closed or open.
Closed eyes is nice as it removes any external stimuli.
Self-compassion
Be gentle with yourself. We are human and we have boundaries – some which we know about and others which we find out about along the way.
Prioritizing yourself is the best place you can be in.
Let others know
Letting the teacher know, or talking to a therapist, friend or family member about it can help. Guidance comes in all shapes and sizes.