What Is Trauma-Informed Yoga?

svlyoga
Apr 5
2 min read

In recent years, the term trauma-informed yoga has gained more visibility — but what does it actually mean? At its core, trauma-informed yoga is not a different set of poses or styles. It’s a fundamentally different approach to how yoga is taught, shared, and experienced.

At SVK Yoga, we see trauma-informed yoga as a practice of safety, sensitivity, and empowerment — where the intention is not to “fix” but to create space for healing, choice, and reconnection.

A Shift in Focus: From Performance to Presence

In many traditional yoga spaces, there’s an emphasis on perfecting the posture or “going deeper” physically. In trauma-informed spaces, the focus shifts to how a student feels, not how they look.

The goal is not achievement — it’s awareness, grounding, and agency. It's about supporting individuals in reclaiming their bodies, one breath and one choice at a time.

What Makes a Yoga Class Trauma-Informed?

A trauma-informed yoga class is one where:

Choice is central. You’re invited, never forced. Options are always offered — and all are equally valid.
Language is mindful and non-directive. Cues are suggestions, not commands.
Touch is never assumed. Consent is explicit and respected.
The nervous system is honored. Transitions are intentional.
Safety is foundational. Physically, emotionally, and energetically — the space is designed to feel supportive, not overwhelming.

Trauma-informed yoga recognizes that each student brings a different story into the room, and that our job as teachers is to create a space where people can listen to themselves — perhaps for the first time in a long time.

It’s About the Relationship

Trauma-informed teaching is not a technique — it’s a relational approach. It’s how we show up, hold space, and respect the autonomy and wisdom of each student. It’s about being willing to unlearn old power dynamics and offer something more collaborative, embodied, and real.

Why It Matters

Many people come to yoga looking for peace, grounding, or healing — often without realizing that trauma may be influencing how they breathe, move, or feel in their bodies.

When yoga is offered without sensitivity, it can unintentionally re-trigger or cause further disconnection.When offered with care, it can become a powerful path to self-regulation, trust, and resilience.

Learn Trauma-Informed Yoga at SVK Yoga

In our 200-Hour Online Trauma-Informed Yoga Teacher Training, you'll go beyond surface-level yoga instruction. You’ll learn how to teach with compassion, presence, and a deep understanding of trauma’s impact on the body and mind.

We integrate: