Trauma Informed Yin Yoga

What is yin yoga?

“Most forms of yoga today are dynamic, active practices designed to work only half of our body, the muscular half, the ‘yang‘ tissues. Yin yoga allows us to work the other half, the deeper ‘yin’ tissues of our ligaments, joints, deep facial networks and even our bones. All our tissues are important and need to be exercised so that we can achieve optimal health and vitality.”

Clark, Bernie. The Complete Guide to Yin Yoga Philosophy and Practice. Second edition, printed in the US, 2019.

A yin yoga class usually consists of a series of passive shapes held for up to five minutes or longer. The physical benefits of yin yoga are numerous and well documented. From a neuropsychological perspective, and over time, yin yoga can also help people:

• regulate their nervous system
• reduce and better manage anxiety
• improve body awareness and tolerance for physical sensations
• increase psychological flexibility.

What is trauma informed yin yoga?

“The single most important issue for traumatized people is to find a sense of safety in their own bodies.” Bessel van der Kolk

Trauma informed yin yoga acknowledges the neurological impacts of trauma (physical, psychological, emotional, complex), and the high instances of survivors experiencing disconnection from their physical bodies. This approach is people-centred and explorative. The focus is on what is felt, noticing the sensations (interoception), and learning to make choices that begin to rebuild trust between body and mind.

Trauma informed yin yoga also holds the possibility that slowing down and/or stillness might not feel safe. As such:

• language is invitational (rather than instructional) reminding people they have agency over their experience
• choices are offered, people are free to participate with eyes open or closed, people can leave a yin yoga shape at any point or move into a different shape that may be more useful for their body. They are not stuck
• people can change their minds at any point, take a break or leave
• using adjectives like comfortable, easy, softly, quietly, kindly to describe shapes or movement is avoided as they may not match peoples’ felt sensations, and therefore may be coercive.