TRAUMA-INFORMED

Authors / Therapists / Professors:

Bessel Van der Kolk MD – https://www.besselvanderkolk.com/

Alex Howard – https://www.alexhoward.com/

Regina Chow Trammel PhD – ​​ www.reginachowtrammel.com

Brene Brown: https://brenebrown.com/

Trainings

Yoga for Humankind: Yoga for Humankind is a social enterprise training organization and global community dedicated to embodied trauma-informed education and social change. We offer healing-centered personal and professional programs and services to nurture well-being, connection, and a thriving world for all. – https://yogaforhumankind.org/

SomaSych: SomaPsych focuses on integrated well-being that supports body, mind, and everything in between. By implementing a trauma-informed approach in all that we do, we hold and encourage braver spaces that facilitate curiosity, growth, and transformation for all. We believe in walking alongside people while holding hope as a possibility every step of the way. – https://www.somapsych.org/

Whole Mama Yoga: Whole Mama Yoga is yoga, community, and commiseration for all phases of motherhood and parenthood – from preconception to parenting. Inclusivity & anti-oppression measures, identity, language, accessibility, birth experience, and feeding choices. https://www.wholemamayoga.com/

Collective Being: Collective Being is a registered health promotion organisationdedicated to making wellbeing practices accessible to everyone on Kulin Country. Our vision is a world where everyone has access to the resources, tools and support that they need to be well. – https://www.collectivebeing.org/

We spend a lot of time trying to be the people we want to be and the people we think others want us to be. Sometimes we feel stuck because we aren’t either of those people then we fail to appreciate the amazing qualities we have and how beautiful people we are. 

We are all already a piece of art. We are all authentic. It is a matter of how we practice our authenticity and how much of it we want to have. Perhaps, let us take a micro step to be more in tune with who we are –  in our mindfulness practice and daily lives.

Living our life in such a way that our actions are aligned with our real purpose, and our yoga asanas are aligned with our intentions. Maybe it will be helpful to focus on our growth, our journey, and the process of learning. Learning to detach ourselves from the outcomes, and learning that outcomes say very little about who we are. I’d like to invite you to join me in the embodied practices to further fuel our efforts to live with authenticity and intention that truly serves us. See you on your mats, beautiful souls.

“Gentleness is strength under control. It is the ability to stay calm, no matter what happens.”- Elizabeth George

“Nothing is so strong as gentleness, nothing so gentle as real strength.” – Saint Francis de Sales

This is an invitation to reflect on gentleness and consider embracing a more soft-hearted inner dialogue with ourselves. We listen more than we speak or act. Gentleness is not the absence of strength but rather a strong self with a soft approach to life. Allowing yourself to be just as it is, holding it without judgment, and wanting the best for it.  Let us nurture gentleness into our mindfulness practice and daily lives, rewiring our system with this quality so we may receive the purpose of life we desire to lead. If we commit to being gentle to ourselves and others we can cultivate real strength in the process.

This is an invitation to celebrate our INNER STRENGTH. Each practice on our mats will be an invitation to cultivate our inner strength so we can carry it on to our daily lives. When we view ourselves from a lens of compassion, we’ll feel seen, heard, and understood. When we can recognize our own unique experiences and all the obstacles we’ve overcome, we’ll feel strong. We recognize our strength and respond compassionately by saying quietly, “WE GOT THIS!” Allow this community to be one of our resources to help us recognize our inner strength by tapping each other’s back – and saying “you got this!” We are a survivor. A warrior. There is no one else in this entire world that has been through all of the things that we have experienced. Every challenge we have faced has fortified us, preparing us for whatever lies ahead. Each battle wound can serve as a reminder of just how strong we are. WE GOT THIS! YOU GOT THIS!

What is embodiment? What do we want to embody?

Embodied experience registers in the body, mind, and soul. It involves the innate capacity to learn and adapt to a change in the environment, whether on the mat or in our daily life. It means one is truly and completely present, regardless of what is occurring internally. In essence, a practice that seeks to help us understand how our body feels, and moves in space. Embodiment explores the relationship between our physical being and our energy. It involves the interaction of our body, thoughts, and actions. It concerns how we work, communicate, parent, love, etc. This is an invitation to enhance our sense of capability, agency, and well-being. Let us be empowered with the tools that we need to thrive in our practice, and throughout our lives. What do you want to embody?

Kindness is the offering of spaciousness, acceptance, welcoming, and warmth. Spending time with ourselves and becoming friends with ourselves, which then extends to trust and friendship with others. When we can accept our feelings, mistakes, and victories, we can forgive and celebrate—both ourselves and others. It allows someone or something to be just as it is, without judgment, and wanting the best for it. You might want to explore how to bring this sense of kindness and compassion to ourselves and others. It helps others feel good. It makes us feel good. It can create a sense of belonging and reduce feelings of isolation.

Kindness spreads – one act of kindness often leads to more acts of kindness. Setting an intention is a great way to bring focus to an aim or purpose that we would like to achieve. Doing this means we are more likely to achieve it, both on and off the mat. Let us cultivate KINDNESS all together.

The path to empowerment is a personal experience that is guided by our ability to connect with ourselves, let go of what no longer serves us well, and create opportunities for empathy, compassion, and humanity. Empowerment comes from within, and every one of us is capable of a powerful existence. The potential for great personal power has been with us all along. This is an invitation to grow strong and be empowered. To have the confidence to turn inwards and feel the moment deeply – no matter what that moment involves.

A response to life from presence, kindness, and courage.  Turning your pain, weaknesses, and vulnerability into strength, connectedness, presence, and compassion. This creates confidence that we can bring throughout our lives. We will be able to deal with life head-on.