Trauma Sensitive Yoga
Trauma, according to the American Psychological Association, is an emotional response to a terrible event like a life threatening accident or attack, long term abuse, or a natural disaster. Shock and denial are typical immediate reactions to traumatic events. Longer term reactions include unpredictable emotions, flashbacks, strained relationships, and even physical symptoms like headaches or nausea.
Any traumatic event, like the ones mentioned above, or any traumatic situation, such as long term emotional, physical, or sexual abuse, can create psychological trauma when the event or effect of the situation overwhelms our ability to cope. Such overwhelm can result in a variety of responses including disconnection from our bodies and a sense of remaining stuck in the events of the past. While these feelings are normal, trauma survivors may have difficulty moving on with their lives. In response to trauma, our body often remembers what our mind may be trying to forget. The practice of yoga has been shown to help heal this kind of mind/body disconnection.
Trauma Sensitive Yoga (TSY) provides an opportunity for us to be in the present moment by bringing awareness to our breath and to the physical sensations of being here now. Through the practice of moving and breathing with awareness, we create a system for reconnecting with ourselves in the present moment. Blossom House currently offers Trauma Sensitive Yoga in both private sessions and small-group classes.
The main objectives in trauma sensitive yoga are for us to use yoga forms as opportunities to notice what we feel in our bodies and to practice making choices about what to do with our bodies.
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No experience necessary.
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We strive to make the classes accessible to everybody regardless of physical ability.
Trauma-sensitive yoga is a way for us to safely experiment with having a body. Through yoga we can experiment with:
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Breathing
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Moving
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Strengthening
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Stretching
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and Resting
Our classes are set up so that students are in control over what they are doing with their body at all times and the facilitator is there to provide safe, professional guidance helping students focus on particular dynamics (what muscles they are using, what it feels like to have their feet on the ground, what it feels like to breathe, etc.).
Professional Training
Blossom House offers three trainings in Trauma Sensitive methods and research for social workers, activists, mental health clinicians, yoga teachers, educators, and other health care professionals who are looking to deepen their understanding of the whole-system impact of complex, intersectional trauma.
20-Hour Foundational TCTSY Training
The 20-Hour TCTSY professional training is designed for social workers, activists, mental health clinicians, yoga teachers, educators, and other health care professionals who are looking to deepen their understanding of the whole-system impact of complex, intersectional trauma. Additionally, it is designed to support professionals in expanding their current practice to incorporate the evidence based practice of Trauma Center Trauma Sensitive Yoga. Find registration details HERE.
Half-Day TCTSY & TIY Trainings
We offer two half-day trainings which detail the methods of a variety of Trauma Sensitive Yoga approaches ranging from specific Trauma Center Trauma Sensitive Yoga (TCTSY) methods to Somatic Experiencing and self-regulation Trauma Informed-Yoga (TIY) techniques. The half-day trainings are offered once monthly from noon to 3:00 pm and from 4:00 to 7:00 pm each second Saturday. These trainings, divided into Part I and Part II, are offered as stand alone courses that can be taken consecutively on the same day or at different times. These two trainings also fulfill 6 Contact Hours of Continuing Education with YACEP.
Trauma-Informed Embodiment for Your Organization
Bring our evidence-based model of treating trauma through the body to your organization with our 20-hour Agency Program. Learn concrete tools — grounded in our clinical framework — that can be brought immediately to the clients you serve. Our Trauma Sensitive Yoga training can be tailored to meet the unique needs of specific populations and dynamics and is not limited to clinicians or yoga content. Many trainings have included support staff, maintenance, case managers, and administrators in addition to clinical teams for an agency-wide integration of client-centered embodied care. Bring our 20-hour Agency Training to your team in this two-day program. A licensed TCTSY Trainer will offer an on-site, in-depth exploration of our protocol and practices.
Private Sessions
We offer clients one-on-one trauma sensitive yoga sessions with a trained Trauma Center Trauma Sensitive Yoga Facilitator (TCTSY-F). Trauma Center Trauma Sensitive Yoga (TCTSY) is a clinical adjunctive treatment which means the physical practice of yoga has the best effect when applied as a joint treatment with psychotherapy. TCTSY is the only kind of trauma sensitive yoga listed on the National Registry of Evidence-Based Programs and Practices (NREPP) for trauma treatment in the United States by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA).
Private TSY sessions may be booked online but require a free intake phone consultation with Jody Hassel, E-RYT, TCTSY-F to complete enrollment. To schedule your free phone consultation, click the button below. Private sessions are generally three classes in length and may cover a variety of needs related to the use of yoga as an adjunctive trauma treatment. Sessions will be tailored to each client's specific needs and goals. Examples of topics that may be covered in a private trauma sensitive yoga session are:
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Introduction or re-introduction to yoga in a safe and private space
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Recommendation for how to design or modify a yoga program to address personal triggers, challenges, and physical limitations
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General psychoeducation about trauma and the body and ways in which yoga can help
For more information or to make a referral, please contact Jody Hassel E-RYT 500, TCTSY-F.
Small Group
10-Week Series for Women
The small-group trauma sensitive yoga (TSY) classes are offered for women three times a year as a ten-week series, and more information can be found here. Participants will not have to talk to other participants making this class series more comfortable for those individuals who find it difficult to be in groups. General psycho-education about trauma and the body and ways in which yoga can help may be briefly discussed before each of our weekly practice sessions. A copy of David Emerson's text Overcoming Trauma through Yoga will be provided for each participant:
This is a closed group available to the first 6 women who register for each series. The first step in registration for the Women's Series is to schedule a complimentary, 20-minute phone consultation with Jody Hassel. The phone consultation is a great opportunity to learn more about the series, ask questions, and find out if this series is the right fit for you. Calls are available between now and June 20, 2017 for the Summer 2017 series. DUE TO COVID RESTRICTIONS WE ARE NO LONGER HOSTING IN-HOUSE GATHERINGS OR SESSIONS.
PARTICIPANTS OF BOTH PRIVATE AND SMALL GROUP SESSIONS ARE REQUIRED TO BE CURRENTLY ENROLLED IN THERAPY AT THE TIME OF REGISTRATION. Interested clients (or clinicians) will first need to contact Jody Hassel E-RYT, TCTSY-F for a screening to determine eligibility. Since TSY is an adjunctive treatment to traditional therapy, active participation in therapy is a requirement for participation. If you would like help finding a therapist, Jody can offer support during your free initial consultation. If you are a therapist and would like more information about what your client can expect, please contact Jody Hassel, and she will be glad to answer any questions you have. Sliding scale donation options are available for both private and small-group sessions.
