Introduction
Before diving into the content of this paper, I want to take a moment to acknowledge that trauma is deeply personal, complex, and often difficult to put into words. It is a silent companion that many of us carry in different forms, and its impact is felt not only in our minds but in our bodies, our emotions, and our relationships. Throughout my journey, I have come to understand that healing is not a linear path—it is an ongoing unfolding of self-discovery, and sometimes it requires patience, tenderness, and space for growth. This paper is a reflection of my lived experience, showing how I’ve come to better understand the profound relationship between trauma, the body, and the mind and how Trauma-Informed Yoga has been an invaluable tool in supporting my personal healing.
This piece is structured as a five-part series that reflects my evolving journey toward befriending every layer of myself within the context of TCTSY model. Trauma Center Trauma-Sensitive Yoga (TCTSY) is recognized as one of the pioneering, empirically validated yoga-based interventions specifically designed for individuals with complex trauma and treatment-resistant post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Developed in collaboration with experts in trauma treatment and body-based practices, TCTSY emerged in the early 2000s from the work of the Trauma Center at the Justice Resource Institute. This model was created with the understanding that trauma resides not only in the mind but in the body, and therefore, healing must integrate both physical and psychological dimensions.
Each installment of the series—Self-Care, Interoception, Ahimsa (Non-Violence), Attachment Theory, and Trauma & Memory—represents a unique lens through which I have come to understand myself and my body more deeply. These sections explore how trauma manifests, how it can be held within the body, and how compassionate movement can support healing and growth. The approach I share is rooted in trauma-sensitive yoga, where the core of safety centers around non-coercion, invitational language, autonomy, shared authentic experience, and interoception.
As you read this paper, I invite you to take your time and go at your own pace that feels supportive. Each section offers a moment to pause, reflect, and return to when you feel ready. Each part of this exploration can be revisited as needed, whenever you feel called to do so. My intention is to invite you to journey with me as I reflect on some of the principles of Trauma Center Trauma Sensitive Yoga (TCTSY)—not only from a theoretical perspective but also through my personal lived experience.
Perhaps, our healing journey cannot be rushed or measured in a way that makes sense to everyone. It is often messy, non-linear, and marked by both progress and setbacks. As you move through this paper, I invite an opportunity for you to hold space for your own experiences, recognizing that healing is not merely a matter of “fixing” but of gently coming into relationship with all parts of ourselves.
I would like to highlight that trauma is not simply a series of isolated events but a deeply embedded experience that affects the body, memory, and relationships. This paper is not just for those who have experienced trauma, but also for facilitators, teachers, practitioners, and caregivers who work with others who are on their healing journeys. I hope that, through this exploration, we can collectively deepen our understanding of trauma and our capacity for compassion and connection.
In my lived experience, I’ve witnessed that healing begins with befriending the body. It requires us to acknowledge that the body holds not only the pain but also the potential for growth, resilience, and transformation. With this in mind, I invite you to perhaps approach this paper with an open heart and mind, knowing that the path to healing is uniquely personal, but also one that we walk together in shared humanity.
Thank you for joining me on this journey. With deep gratitude for this practice, for the lessons I’ve learned, and for the opportunity to share my story with you, I offer this paper as a testament to how yoga, practiced with care, compassion and awareness, can guide us toward wholeness.
Mindfulness with Krish 