A Right to Bodily Autonomy: Trauma-informed Yoga Practices

By: Marian

We live in a world where trauma is pervasive. It is a collective human experience, yet it can also create deep separation within ourselves, our bodies, and each other. This is especially true when our socioeconomic and political systems do not account for trauma and in many ways originate and perpetuate its effects. Trauma can be broadly defined as an experience that is greater than our window of tolerance. This can show up in many ways including cumulative traumatic events, shock trauma, and systemic oppression (Yoga Behind Bars, 2021). Trauma is subjective, so everyone’s experience is unique to their own body and processing capacity; it can have lasting effects on nervous system regulation. Through the use of the trauma-informed framework, we can create spaces that integrate this understanding into social structures.

A trauma-informed framework provides an approach to creating spaces that account for this shared experience of trauma, including considerations for how to create more accessible environments. Trauma-informed yoga integrates tools to support nervous system regulation, capacity building, self-connection, and interconnectedness through the practice of yoga. This includes the conscious use of language, consent, assists, and physical space (Yoga Behind Bars, 2021). Trauma-informed yoga allows people to reconnect to themselves and their communities through conscious choices in their practice.

When we talk about nervous system regulation we’re talking about working with the autonomic nervous system. In the autonomic nervous system, there are two main branches: the parasympathetic and sympathetic nervous systems. The parasympathetic nervous system allows the body to engage in rest and digest processes while the sympathetic nervous system activates the fight or flight systems of the body (Polyvagal Institute, n.d.). When we have experienced trauma and are in a frequent state of stress response, the body will react with prolonged activation of the sympathetic nervous system. This can lead to hypervigilance, chronic stress, anxiety, and many other manifestations. Practices such as tapping, humming, and shaking can help us to feel a greater sense of mind-body connection, decreasing stress (Yoga Behind Bars, 2021). Through the integration of trauma-informed practices, we can learn to access the parasympathetic nervous system to create greater spaciousness in our emotional experience and our bodies.

Trauma-informed yoga integrates the practices of invitation, inquiry, and inclusivity to create spaces for people to explore their bodies and inner landscapes (Yoga Behind Bars, 2021). It is more explorative and less directive in nature, centering the experience of the body itself, rather than the shape of the pose. Whether you are at a yoga class or practicing by yourself, you can orient yourself to the foundations of trauma-informed yoga. Implementing a trauma-informed framework in yoga and beyond supports bodily autonomy and is supportive of healing justice.

References:

Polyvagal Institute. (n.d.). What is Polyvagal Theory. Polyvagal Institute. https://www.polyvagalinstitute.org/whatispolyvagaltheory

Yoga Behind Bars. (July 13, 2021). Trauma-informed Yoga Training. Yoga Behind Bars.

Related Resources:

Instagram:

@accessibleyogaschool

@susannabarkataki

@transcending_trauma_with_yoga

@trauma_conscious_yoga_method

Books:

My Grandmother’s Hands: Racialized Trauma and the Pathway to Mending Our Hearts and Bodies by Resmaa Menakem

The Body Keeps the Score by Bessel van der Kolk

Trauma Sensitive Mindfulness: Practices for Safe and Transformative Healing by David Trelevan