Trauma-Sensitive Yoga

Trauma-sensitive yoga was developed as a therapeutic intervention to support individuals who have experienced trauma, including survivors of PTSD and complex PTSD (C-PTSD).

Rather than focusing on performance, flexibility, or achieving specific postures, this approach centers the experience of the individual and creates space to reconnect with the body in a safe, supportive, and choice-oriented way.

Trauma can profoundly affect the relationship we have with our bodies. For some survivors, being present in the body can feel uncomfortable, unfamiliar, or even unsafe.

Trauma-sensitive yoga offers an opportunity to gently rebuild that relationship through mindful movement, breath, grounding, and increased awareness of physical sensations, without requiring participants to push through discomfort or override their own boundaries.

Trauma-sensitive yoga is choice-based and invitational. There is no expectation to perform a posture, close your eyes, participate in touch, or remain in any position that does not feel supportive.

Participants are encouraged to notice their own sensations, preferences, and boundaries and to make choices that feel right for their bodies.

The intention is not to force the body to relax or to “release” trauma through movement. Instead, the practice creates opportunities to develop body awareness, agency, grounding, and a greater sense of safety within oneself.

Trauma-sensitive yoga can be a supportive complement to trauma-informed psychotherapy and is not a replacement for psychotherapy or other clinical treatment.

To schedule or inquire about a personal or group session, please email: caroline@sattva-sanctuary.com.