
08/20/2025
I was excited and nervous coming in to teach the first full day workshop at the Yoga Show in Toronto after 3 years of missing the event post-pandemic. A lot had happened in those few years, and individually and globally we were carrying a lot.
I introduced myself and the topic for the day - Becoming Trauma Aware: How to better support your students in Yoga. I then asked the group to introduce themselves, but before the introductions began, I dropped in a small but meaningful parameter to their shares. It went something like this…
“Pretty much everyone that is drawn to study trauma-informed practices, is because of lived experience. If you would like to share that you have experienced trauma, please do - BUT, please do not share how or what your specific experience(s) are. We can never know what others are going through, or have gone through, and what may no longer trigger us can easily trigger others. We are here to learn about the effects of trauma on our brain and nervous system, to gain perspective and compassion, not to get out the shovel and start unearthing all of our past pain.”
I will never forget the sigh of relief that came from everyone in the room!
Truthfully, I said this because I desperately needed to protect myself. I was still experiencing high symptoms of PTSD and I was worried that if I was triggered, I wouldn’t be able to deliver the session effectively. However, in laying this out for the group I helped to establish a space of safety for everyone there.
This is now how I begin every single discussion around understanding trauma. If this is what has prevented you from studying trauma, please know that I can hold space for you.
This is also why I have shifted the theory portion of our Yoga for Wellness training to a live/virtual session. So you can take this information in within the comfort of your own personal space. Cuddle with your pets, make a cup of tea in your favourite mug, do what you need to do to take in this learning that is equally empowering as it is educational.
I hope to see you Sept 6-7 at Yoga for Wellness: Trauma Theory for our next live/virtual training.