Trauma Informed Yoga for Youth

​Trauma Informed Yoga is not about perfecting poses, reaching 'peak' fitness, achieving a certain body type or memorizing complex movement sequences. 
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Yoga is about learning to hear to our inner voice and making empowered choices based on what we hear. Yoga gives us an opportunity to align ourselves with the present moment in order to step intentionally and easefully into the next. Learning to hear this voice and make our choices using its' wisdom is the first step in cultivating our brave state, and shifting into who and how we want to be.

A trauma-informed perspective acknowledges the unique factors that can complicate this inner-noticing for people of any age with trauma histories. It combines science and compassion to meet the unique needs of people who have experienced trauma, and creates a safe environment to practice listening to our inner voice and making empowered choices for ourselves.

​A Brain-Based Approach
When the effects of trauma on the developing brain and nervous system are taken into account, yoga can be an incredible tool in building resilience, self-awareness and cultivating lifelong self-care practices. 

Helping Young People Find Their 'Brave State'
​Trauma Informed Yoga guides children and teens to safely explore and understand their own nervous system, and gently discover and cultivate the feeling of safety and resilience available within themselves. Yoga empowers children and teens with tools to access a grounded, brave state to be able to cope with challenges, discover themselves and thrive.

Benefits of a Trauma Informed Approach
The best part is that these skills learned on-the-mat are lifelong tools that are always accessible- anywhere, anytime. Trauma can come in many forms- personal, familial, community, cultural, systemic and ancestral. Cultural sensitivity and a brain-based approach helps support students in specific ways they may need.
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​Who is Trauma Informed Yoga for?
 Yoga can be a fantastic (and fun!) opportunity for any child, or teen. Yoga for families is a great way to bond while practicing valuable strategies for self- and co-regulation. I bring my trauma-informed lens to every class I teach, even if it is not specifically designated as such.

I specialize in working with blended, foster, adoptive, kinship care or at-risk families.
 Please contact me to learn more about how yoga can help your family!