What is Trauma Informed Kids Yoga?

You've probably heard all the buzz and may be wondering what trauma informed kids yoga is.  We're here to answer those questions for you!

SAMHSA reports that two thirds of children report going through a traumatic event by the age of 16!  This means that over 66% of our kids are experiencing trauma at some point during their childhood.  If you are working with children, you're most likely working with children who either have been through trauma or will be through trauma. As yoga teachers, we normally don't know what happens in a child's life when they aren't with us.  All we know is what we see when they're in our classes with us.  

Trauma informed kids yoga involves teaching yoga to children and teens through a trauma sensitive lens.  With extensive training, yoga teachers can learn how to teach in a way that will do less harm and more good for children and teens who have experienced trauma or will experience trauma in the future.  We can help build resiliency in kids and give them the tools that they need to help heal from trauma or to increase the likelihood that they rebound from trauma as quickly as possible if they are faced with a traumatic experience in the future. 

What is Childhood Trauma?

Childhood trauma can include many different types of events.  It basically includes any event where the child is scared for their safety and wellbeing.  Whether or not the threat is real or perceived isn't important, and whether or not there is a damaging outcome is also not important.  When a child is scared for their wellbeing and they believe that they are in danger, that creates trauma.  Common events that lead to trauma include car accidents, house fires, being separated from a caregiver due to death, incarceration or other reason, witnessing domestic violence, experiencing domestic violence, experiencing violence in school or within the community, psychological abuse, physical abuse, sexual abuse, loss of a parent because of deployment or other work-related reasons, assault, refugee experiences, neglect and food shortage.  

In some instances, children experience repeated trauma at the hands of the same person, often the person who is supposed to keep them safe.  This is known as "complex trauma."  When children experience complex trauma over an extended period of time, it can change the way that their brains are wired and the way that their nervous systems respond to external stressors.  

Trauma is an Embodied Experience

What we've learned about trauma over the past decade or so is that it is an embodied experience.  Unresolved trauma is actually carried in the body.  One of the proven ways to heal from trauma and move past the symptoms of trauma is to have an empowering experience in the body.  This is why yoga can be so helpful in overcoming trauma.  

Yoga can be a powerful and holistic practice that supports healing from trauma. Here are several ways in which yoga can assist in the healing process:

1. Body awareness and empowerment: Trauma often disrupts the connection between the mind and body. Yoga encourages the development of body awareness, helping individuals to reconnect with and become more attuned to their physical sensations, emotions, and boundaries. This increased body awareness can promote a sense of empowerment and agency.

2. Regulation of the nervous system: Trauma can lead to dysregulation of the nervous system, resulting in heightened states of stress, anxiety, or dissociation. Yoga practices, such as mindful movement, deep breathing, and gentle postures, can activate the parasympathetic nervous system, inducing a relaxation response and helping to regulate the body's stress response.

3. Release of stored tension and trauma: Yoga provides an opportunity to release physical tension and stored emotional energy held in the body. Through gentle movements, stretching, and conscious breathing, yoga can help to unlock and release patterns of tension, allowing for a sense of release and emotional catharsis.

4. Cultivation of self-compassion and acceptance: Trauma survivors often struggle with self-blame, shame, or negative self-perception. Yoga encourages self-compassion and self-acceptance by promoting a non-judgmental attitude toward oneself and cultivating a loving and compassionate relationship with the body and mind.

5. Creating a safe space for exploration: Yoga classes and studio environments can provide a supportive and non-judgmental space for trauma survivors to explore their bodies, emotions, and experiences. This can foster a sense of safety, trust, and community, which are vital for healing.

6. Enhancing resilience and coping skills: Yoga can cultivate resilience by helping individuals develop coping skills, such as breath awareness, grounding techniques, and mindfulness practices. These tools can be utilized outside of the yoga practice to navigate daily life, manage stress, and regulate emotions.

7. Integration of mind, body, and spirit: Trauma often results in a fragmentation of experiences, with the mind, body, and spirit feeling disconnected. Yoga aims to integrate these aspects, creating a sense of wholeness and alignment. By synchronizing movement, breath, and awareness, individuals can foster a greater sense of harmony and integration.

How Mindfulness Helps Trauma

Mindfulness can be a valuable tool in the process of healing from trauma. Trauma refers to an experience or set of experiences that overwhelms an individual's ability to cope, often leaving a lasting impact on their physical, emotional, and psychological well-being. Here are some ways in which mindfulness can aid in healing from trauma:

1. Developing present-moment awareness: Mindfulness involves intentionally paying attention to the present moment without judgment. For individuals healing from trauma, cultivating present-moment awareness can help ground them in the here and now, reducing the intensity of intrusive thoughts or memories related to the traumatic event.

2. Regulating emotions: Trauma can lead to emotional dysregulation, where individuals may experience intense emotions, difficulty managing anger, anxiety, or depression. Mindfulness practices can enhance emotional regulation by increasing self-awareness and acceptance of one's emotions without being overwhelmed by them. This can provide a sense of stability and resilience in the face of emotional challenges.

3. Creating a sense of safety: Trauma can disrupt an individual's sense of safety and trust in the world. Mindfulness practices, such as guided imagery or body scan meditations, can help individuals reconnect with their bodies, feel grounded, and create a sense of internal safety. This can be especially beneficial for trauma survivors who may struggle with feeling constantly on edge or disconnected from their bodies.

4. Cultivating self-compassion: Trauma can often result in self-blame, guilt, or shame. Mindfulness encourages self-compassion, allowing individuals to treat themselves with kindness and understanding. Through mindfulness, individuals can develop a non-judgmental attitude towards their experiences and practice self-care, self-acceptance, and self-compassion.

5. Building resilience: Trauma can profoundly impact an individual's sense of self and their ability to bounce back from adversity. Mindfulness practices cultivate resilience by promoting a sense of inner strength, self-awareness, and the ability to adapt to challenging circumstances. It can help individuals develop a greater capacity to cope with stress and navigate life's difficulties.

6. Enhancing overall well-being: Mindfulness practices have been shown to have a positive impact on overall well-being. They can reduce symptoms of anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), as well as improve sleep quality and overall mental health. Engaging in mindfulness exercises can contribute to an overall sense of balance, peace, and improved quality of life.

Trauma Informed Kids Yoga Teacher Training

Please join is in our Trauma Informed Kids Yoga Teacher Training to learn more about how you can get involved in doing this important work.