TRAUMA-SENSITIVE YOGA: A WEEKEND IMMERSION FOR YOGA TEACHERS AND CLINICIANS WITH MORGAN VANDERPOOL, MSW, 200 E-RYT
I decided to take this training. I felt like it would help me reach out to more people and I actually personally know more people than I wish who have some sort of trauma due to abuse or witnessing abuse in their households.
I stepped inside Samdhana-Karana Yoga at around 6:45 p.m. I felt anxious and awkward. I signed in and I sat down on one of their lobby couches.
When it was time, we congregated to the yoga room. More people started to show up as we began sitting down. There was a projector and screen titled something like “Trauma Center Trauma Sensitive Training”.
We started off by talking in triads. We stated our name, where we were from, relevant profession, and what we hoped to learn from the training.
Then we went into a large group and went around doing introductions, that included one word we felt right then. I was honest, my word was unqualified. I love yoga, I did my 200 hours, and I care enough to show up there and learn about complex trauma. But I do wish I had studied something more relevant than politics and economics in college. If anything, I wish I had more experience teaching.
First, we filled out a paper on what we hoped to learn from the training this weekend. Secondly, we talked about what might cause trauma.
Thirdly, we talked about the results of trauma.
In between these topics and the big sheet we collectively filled out, Morgan told us about the automatic nervous system (sympathetic & parasympathetic).
She clarified that this training was not for stress, chronic stress, or PTSD. It’s not about becoming more regulated with our nervous system. It’s for complex trauma. We discussed as a group what complex trauma means. My current understanding of complex trauma is that it’s something that requires a broader understanding. I hope to learn more about the differences of complex trauma and stress/chronic stress/PTSD.
We also did an experiential experience to give us an example of how trauma could happen.
No matter how I feel about myself being there, I think that I will have a very fruitful learning experience. The group of people learning with me + Morgan are awesome and insightful, and I appreciate them so much. And that’s all that really matters.
We started off on the second day with theory.
Squeezed into an extra studio room (because our first meeting spot turned out to be overbooked), we did a mini seated practice. Morgan asked us about what we noticed in her cuing. Immediately, I noticed the invitational tone. She said “maybe” a lot, gave several options, encouraged we went at our own pace, and told us we could literally practice how we wanted to. I didn’t notice it so much at first, but these qualities are a huge part of structuring your verbage for a trauma sensitive yoga class.
Theoretical Underpinnings of TSY
This is the more juicy, heady part. That honestly, I was super intrigued by. We covered so much, I think I can only mention the highlights. I could write a book just about the discussions we had today. We learned about 3 big things: Trauma Theory, Neuroscience, and Attachment Theory and their relationship to trauma and trauma sensitive yoga.
A bit of history (I could write more, but I’ll try to stick to the most relevant bits) Trauma Center Trauma Sensitive Yoga is something based on scientific evidence and research. It differs from other similar programs because of the research. Trauma Center Trauma Sensitive Yoga is about offering students a chance with interoception -- the visceral, present moment experience that students can then use to make a choice.
We learned about the timeline of trauma research and language:
PTSD (late 1970s, post Vietnam War)
With CPTSD, there was a realization that trauma can occur within the context of relationships. And empowerment for both intrapersonal and interpersonal relationships matters a lot.
Trauma Sensitive mat practice/Q&A
We then proceeded to do a trauma sensitive yoga practice. I took detailed notes on the sequence and cues I found interesting. In short, I found the class to be very noncompetitive, very slow transitioning and yet movement-oriented, and very optional (as in we got a lot of options). I commented about how it felt like there wasn’t a lot of time for stillness. Morgan explained that there’s a balance to be struck with stillness and movement.
Then we dove back into it theory.
We expanded the parking lot of things we hoped to learn/discuss.
My notes on complex trauma are plenty... Something I learned was that any trauma response is adaptive, resilient, and amazing. However, the problem is when people are stuck in it, when their mode is fight/flight/freeze.
It’s important that we do not disempower those with issues. Why? Because it means they’ve survived. What we can do is give unconditional positive regard and offer opportunities to move out of surviving and into thriving. This bit really opened my eyes because although I didn’t say it on day one of training, I felt like traumatic experiences can come from disempowerment, having your power taken away, and that power dynamics somehow played into this.
We then discussed developmental trauma and how kids are affected if they grow up in an environment of chronic abuse and neglect. This honestly triggered unexpected emotions in me, because of some people I know.
We also learned about the ACE study and complex trauma.
I feel my notes on attachment theory are a bit scattered... as neuroscience was also thrown in the mix.
One of the ideas of attachment theory we were introduced is “the idea that through relationships, we develop the capacity to be seen; to be known”. Furthermore, “we develop a sense of safety and predictability within our body/agency/sense that we’re worthy of care” through attachment and relationships. It’s hard to get that sense of worthy of care with trauma. But with interoception, a trauma survivor can maybe get a relationship with self.
Now, the goal of yoga is non-attachment. But the goal of trauma treatment is about healthy attachment. And trauma sensitive yoga teachers and peeps must work to be non-attached to the outcome of the studies. (This was such a high point for me today because it reminded me of spirituality and the Bhagavad Ghita.)
With neuroscience, we learned about how trauma makes the part of the brain that feels “I am” (insula) hard to fuel. But that it is possible to regenerate.
The treatment goals for trauma theory is empowerment. For neuroscience is interoception (visceral sensation, feeling the moment, and making choices from that). Attachment theory is about relationships and how a class must have a shared authentic experience. It is not just about giving cues as a trauma sensitive yoga teacher.
The 5 domains are language, teacher qualities, environment, exercises, and assists.
I will use one word when it comes to each of those domain that I find relevant to describe it.
Language: Careful (Some words/cues should be avoided, and some could help interoception)
Teacher Qualities: Power (The role of teacher must not be abused)
Environment: Space (The space matters a lot, from lighting to equipment uses)
Exercises: Empowerment (TSY is about empowering the students with accessible movements and forms)
We discussed how this yoga principal can apply to us as teachers and how we approach a TSY class. A big part is in not forcing movements or forms on students. To express that there are no mistakes. To think of feedback in terms of the process and not the outcome.
Practice Teaching with Scripts
We were given scripts in TSY language to try out in our triads. We discussed how we could make it more natural for us and as a large group, we discussed more on language. There is definitely a structure to the cuing and it’s very different than teacher training! It was awkward at first, but in discussing about it, I started to understand how I could use it more naturally. (As authenticity is important on the TSY teacher’s part too.)
The homework is about creating 3 forms/movements we could teach, reflecting on ahimsa, and reflecting on what we might let go from our original yoga teacher training and what we might hold on to.
What I want to let go... I’ll say right now for me, as a yoga teacher, I want to let go of being prescriptive and my preconceptions of what a good yoga practice must have. Because I do want what’s good for my students, I assume that back bends and hip-openers need to be included. Those type of forms bring out the most sensation for me, and challenge me to be in the present. It’s not like I can’t ever do those types of forms in a TSY setting, but why did I even want them to show up in the sequence during our TSY practice? Because *I* want them? It’s not about me. It’s not about challenge. The same goes for how I was wondering how to cue core engagement while I was reading the script. Sure, it’s nice for people to have a sensation in their abdominal muscles. But why was I so eager to find out how *I* can get them there? Because the first day of 200 hour teacher training emphasized moving and teaching from the core. And although it may not be bad, it is not necessary to see it as a focal point when teaching TSY. It’s not about me and how great of a teacher I am if I can get people feeling ____ in ____. It’s about how can I get people *maybe* feeling ____ in _____? How can I offer the opportunity for interoception, for empowerment?
We started off with a mat practice. Once again, I took notes. My favorite cuing language used was “adjustment you could make”. I noted that it felt empowering, and yet straightforward and concrete. There was a choice suggested and then an invitational quality to it.
Q & A & Ahimsa Reflection
During our Q&A, we went over our homework. For the ahimsa reflection, I made some notes I thought were interesting.
To embody ahimsa (nonviolence):
Don’t assume I have the answer.
Giving options = no right or wrong way
Mistakes are OK.
It’s OK for it to not go perfectly.
We also talked about the practice of making choices being a part for TSY.
I loved this quote: “At the root of trauma and PTSD is an experience that involves extreme lack of choice.” TSY has to do with the relationship of the self and choice.
The mindset that TSY aspires toward is “When I am in ____ form, I am there and not in a past experience.”
This emphasis on present sensation and experience reminded me of santosha, or contentment from the 8 limbs of yoga. I wonder about the relationship of santosha to TSY.
The present in this context, “means when our physical reality and our neurophysical reality are in sync.”
Interesting enough, physical capacity does not equate to present moment awareness. Someone who may be a marathon runner or bikram yogi does not necessarily have a relationship with their bodies. This intrigued me because I always assume athletes and fitness participants to be very aware of their bodies. But although they know how their body functions and the limits to that, it doesn’t mean they’re experiencing interoception. At the gym, fitness intstructors tell us to move and push us harder. We tell ourselves to move and push through despite whatever we are feeling.
Taking effective action is another part of TSY. But for the TSY facilitator/teacher, the emphasis is on dedication to the moment and self-empowerment to maybe help a person notice choice and effective action. Not so much, prescription. Not saying to a class “The next time you feel anxious, maybe try ____ since this time it seemed to help.”
For homework, we had to come up with 3 forms or movements to potentially try with students/clients.
I was able to teach my peers in my triad 3 different ones. I came up with a script for each one that included invitational cues, motoric cues with choices, and interoceptive cues. I tried out a reclined form, a standing form, and a seated form.
My peers gave me feedback on how the seated form could be too hard and how I could make it more accessible with other choices. I also got feedback that my personal teaching was better than me reading from the script.
I felt confident in my attempts because it felt awkward to think of the trauma-sensitive cuing, but I felt authentic when I used my own voice to guide movements/forms.
We went over some studies on PTSD treatment with yoga. There were some encouraging measurements.
Class Dynamics/Challenges
Some things to consider about the dynamics are class size, measurements, duration, documentation, and personnel. I liked learning about this because it gave me a sense of what to consider should I ever try to do a trauma-informed class. This part may have been more relevant for clinicians, but it’s good to know nonetheless.
Some important reminders: Trauma survivors don’t need a savior; a safe space is super valuable; being reliable and predictable matters a lot; and we don’t have to be perfect. (Should someone slip and forget to say an invitational cue before a motoric one, or accidentally use a metaphor or word that’s recommended for us to avoid, it wouldn’t necessarily ruin a trauma survivor.)
We also learned challenges we may face and how to deal with them. (As if there wasn’t enough challenge with trying to teach with the languaging.)
We also learned how to go further into Trauma Center Trauma Sensitive Yoga training. For now, I just want to stick with what I’ve learned. I can see myself trying to be a full on “trauma sensitive yoga teacher” with their 9 month program when I’m like 30.
We got our certificate after doing an evaluation.
I felt very engaged and intrigued with the things I’ve learned. Some of my key takeaways: Language is important. Interoception and accessibility is the whole point of any trauma sensitive yoga. And, trauma is complicated.
