By Dawn Becker
Wow, where do I begin? I have learned much over the past year and gained so many important skills from studying Trauma-Informed Trauma (TIY), that it’s challenging to put it all into words. Sometimes it’s hard to find the right words...which leads right into my first big takeaway!
Trauma-Informed Language
The words we use to communicate with one another hold immense power. Language is contextual and nuanced, and the way we deliver our words can have a huge impact on the relationships we create with our students and clients. The words we choose, and how we express them, can help establish or diminish trust between two people.
Often, we learn to speak the way our teachers do, and internalize their voices half-consciously. When we slow down and pay attention, some of these instructions, offerings, or sayings don’t fully express what we want to pass on to our students. As a trauma-informed yoga teacher, I have made conscious efforts to use cues that I appreciate and feel I can embody in my teaching. I like to say “When you’re ready” and “to the degree that works for your body.” Some of my teachers have used similar phrases, but others have offered well-meaning instructions that simply aren’t trauma-informed. So, even though I respect them and appreciate their teachings, I choose language that feels right for me.
Similarly, as teachers we are in a place of power and even our casual comments to students matter. Once I was attending yoga class and there was a powerful winter storm coming through the area. I was chatting with my teacher casually and I sighed, “Ah, I want to be as strong and powerful as mother nature one day.” She looked me straight in the eyes and said “After everything you have told me you've been through, you already are!” At that moment, I felt so seen and supported, and I knew I was in the right place to get support with my healing yoga practice.
Specific Yoga Sequences
The second biggest takeaway from my trauma-informed training is that a yoga practice can (and should!) be tailored to the needs of the person practicing. As much as we’d all like for there to be “ten poses to cure trauma” it’s simply not the way yoga, or healing works. Yoga can be what you want to be, and it’s smart to ask what you need from the practice! We all have choice, and as much as teachers know, every practice and life is an exploration where we get to choose.
You are the expert of your own body, so you are in control of how you want to use your yoga practice. Often with trauma our bodies can feel stuck, frozen, or shut down. In these cases, choosing the next movement that feels right is one way to explore ourselves and move energy. Whether we explore slowly, shake things off, or just notice what the body wants to do next, our body can guide us as we choose the next pathway of exploration.
An exploration in movement can be as simple as a hand position, or mudra. My favorite mudra is the Lotus Seal, this mudra represents blossoming of unconditional love, and it can also be used to connect to and balance the heart chakra. For me this mudra leaves me with an open receiving heart. In addition, different breath work practices can be calming or energizing for different reasons. Listening to what your body is feeling and sensing inward will guide you towards what you need at any given moment.
When I speak with my clients and we talk through yoga shapes, mudras and breathing practices, I don’t usually frame these as "coping skills" – this goes back to the importance of language! Rather, we explore these tools as lifestyle techniques that could be very beneficial to them in the healing process. If or when they are ready we try incorporating a few breaths, mudras or postures, and build up the habit of practicing them on a regular basis.
Rather than seek healing through the mind, we look to the body and use bottom-up (body to mind) approaches. I find that by regulating the body, the mind tends to follow, and it can oftentimes be a catapult to shifting a client’s state of mind. Over time, more coherence and compassion seems to evolve, and through the process we can even cultivate appreciation and love our bodies.
Yoga for Every Body
I hope we are past the point of thinking yoga is only meant for a select group of people. In my classes, I encourage us all (myself included!) to leave biases and ego at the door, so that everyone within the space will be treated with dignity, empathy and respect. There is no one in the room better than another or more worthy of love – and this includes the teacher!
Something I wish more people knew is that trauma does not discriminate. Unfortunately, people often react negatively toward someone if they say they are stressed out or have anxiety. Oftentimes a response will be “what can you possibly be anxious about? “or “what can you possibly be stressed about?” And the worst insult to date, “what is wrong with you?” Trauma leaves these imprints and it’s very normal to be impacted by negative experiences.
Trauma is going to be a different experience for everyone, it is an individualized phenomenon to our own nervous system so saying to someone “I know how you feel" can sometimes backfire when you are trying to console or help them. I try not to compare my experience to anyone else's. Another common suggestion I hear is “Have you thought of trying yoga to help with your stress, anxiety, anger, etc.?” Although this is offered as a good intention, not every yoga class is good for each of these challenges, and teachers do need additional training to use yoga in this therapeutic sense. A typical yoga class could actually be triggering for someone who has experienced trauma, for a variety of reasons.
There are so many different types of yoga classes and without knowing what the class will entail can be overwhelming and have an adverse impact. Before a class everyone should know they have the choice not to do any moves that they aren't comfortable with and if they need to come out of a position it is fine to do, there will be no judgement placed upon them.
Yoga in The Stomahood
The best part for me is that I can offer this to so many people in the Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and ostomy communities. Being that I myself have been living with an ileostomy for 30+ years due to severe Ulcerative Colitis I can say firsthand how intimidating it is to go into a yoga class with the fear of odd bodily noises happening at the most awkward time, not being able to hold some poses properly because of inflamed joints, arthritis, osteoporosis, osteoarthritis, etc. Sometimes even the modified versions are still quite uncomfortable! The distracting crinkling noises my ostomy appliances make during certain poses can be super awkward – but the biggest fear of all is a leak happening. Sometimes the thought of that alone will prevent me from showing up to class.
I love the fact that I can provide a safe non-judgmental space where people can explore yoga worry-free and know that they will be met with empathy and understanding. Just the thought of being able to offer people a place where they can feel empowered and in control is so inspiring to me. I can also provide them tools that they can use outside of the class that they can use and practice on a daily basis. There also is no age limit anyone can participate whether they are 2 or 102.
Another reason I'm so grateful for learning this very important service is that I completed my Victim Advocate Certification, and am now in a position to advocate for those harmed by others. I am so happy to be able to support people in the journey of their healing, helping them to see their power and re-gain feelings of control. As I embark on the next chapter of my life's journey I will bring with me an abundance of knowledge thanks to everything I learned from all the resources and people in the Yoga for Trauma Advanced Training Program. I look forward to continuing to learn and grow so that I can keep putting positivity out into the universe.
If You’re Looking to Study Trauma-Informed Yoga
My journey with Trauma-Informed Yoga has been shaped by my studies at the Center for Yoga and Trauma Recovery (CYTR). I’m proud to say that I’m now a Certified Provider through the CYTR. I have completed the 8-week Y4T Online Training Program and the 9-month Advanced Training and Mentorship Program, and I now have the tools and knowledge I need to support my clients in healing trauma mindfully through yoga.
With my latest certifications, I look forward to the next chapter of my life journey by helping as many people as I can with starting or continuing their healing process. I understand firsthand how scary it can be to take that first step, and I am hoping to be that voice and example for others to see that it is possible when they are ready.
Dawn Marie Becker is a certified Fitour Advanced Yoga Instructor and certified Victim Advocate with SUNY Purchase NY. She is a graduate of the Yoga for Trauma 8-week Online Training Program and completed the Advanced Training Program with the Center for Yoga and Trauma Recovery in 2021. Dawn is a graduate of The Institute for Integrative Nutrition with specialty certifications in Gut Health and Hormone Health, and has been a volunteer and advocate with the Crohn's and Colitis Foundation for over 10 years. Dawn is a wife and mother of four children and lives in Brewster, New York. She and her husband Daniel own and run two independent pharmacies, and both work tirelessly to support the health of their local community. Learn more about Dawn at www.myscarsaremybeautymarks.com
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