What is trauma-informed yoga?

Less Performance. More Permission: The Power of Trauma-Informed Yoga

Less performance. More permission. And a space to feel safe in your own body again.

Yoga can be amazing.
But it can also feel overwhelming, vulnerable, or even triggering — especially if you’re carrying trauma, anxiety, chronic pain, or nervous system overload.

That’s where trauma-informed yoga comes in.

At YFS (Your Form Sux), we offer trauma-informed practices that put choice, safety, and nervous system regulation at the center of every session — not just flexibility or “doing it right.”

Let’s break it down.

💡 First: What Does “Trauma-Informed” Mean?

It doesn’t mean yoga only for people with trauma.
It means yoga that respects the body and nervous system — wherever you’re at.

Trauma-informed care is based on the understanding that:

• Trauma affects how you experience your body
• Choice, control, and consent are essential to safety
• Not all bodies respond well to typical movement cues (like “just breathe into it”)
• Healing requires more than pushing through discomfort

👉 So instead of commanding, correcting, or forcing the body, trauma-informed yoga invites curiosity, permission, and options.

🧘 What Makes Trauma-Informed Yoga Different?

• ✅ Language is invitational, not directive
  You’ll hear phrases like:
  • “If it feels safe, you might try…”
  • “You’re welcome to rest here.”
  • “Notice what’s available without needing to change anything.”

  There’s no “push through” energy — just support.

• ✅ No hands-on adjustments without consent
  In fact, many trauma-informed classes avoid touch altogether unless clearly agreed upon in advance.
• ✅ Pacing is slower
  This gives your body (and nervous system) time to feel, process, and regulate without being rushed.
• ✅ Choice is prioritized
  You’re encouraged to modify, pause, skip poses, or stay still if that’s what your system needs.
• ✅ Nervous system safety is the priority
  This isn’t about mastering poses — it’s about reconnecting with your body in a safe, supported way.

🧠 Who Is It For?

Trauma-informed yoga is for anyone who wants to approach movement gently, mindfully, and with compassion.

It’s especially powerful for people who:

• Have a history of trauma or PTSD
• Are navigating anxiety, grief, or burnout
• Feel disconnected from or overwhelmed by their body
• Are in chronic pain or hypersensitive to touch
• Want to explore movement without pressure to “perform”
• Feel out of place in traditional fitness or yoga spaces

You don’t need to share your story.
You don’t need a diagnosis.
You just need a space that meets you where you are.

❤️ What You Won’t Find in a Trauma-Informed Class at YFS:

• 🚫 No judgment
• 🚫 No forced stillness
• 🚫 No pressure to “go deeper” or “just breathe through it”
• 🚫 No aesthetics-first approach
• 🚫 No assumptions about your experience

You’re always in control. And that’s the point.

Final Word: Movement Should Feel Like a Return — Not a Test

Trauma-informed yoga is about rebuilding trust with your body.
Not through pushing. Not through perfection.
Through permission, presence, and safety — moment by moment.

At YFS, we offer trauma-informed movement because we know healing happens when your body feels safe — and you feel seen.

Curious about trauma-informed yoga but not sure where to start?
Book a beginner-friendly session or ask us about our small-group classes. We’ll walk you through everything — gently.