Is all trauma informed yoga yoga healing? Or is it just regular yoga without hands on adjustments? The problem centers around the inadvertent reintroduction of trauma during yoga classes when teachers lack trauma-informed training grounded in the polyvagal approach and nervous system understanding. This has the potential to undermine the healing essence of yoga practice and impede participants’ well-being.

1. Why might trauma be triggered during yoga classes?

Trauma triggers can arise from certain poses, cues, or touch that evoke sensations related to past traumatic experiences. Trauma also can be triggered when students nervous systems dysregulate due to physical stress or environment. 

2. Why do some yoga teachers lack trauma-informed polyvagal training?

Lack of access to comprehensive trauma-informed training grounded in the polyvagal approach and nervous system understanding can stem from unawareness, limited resources, or misconceptions about yoga’s universal healing capacity.

3. Why is there a lack of awareness about polyvagal-based trauma-informed teaching?

Insufficient awareness could be rooted in yoga teacher training programs that overlook the polyvagal approach and its significance in creating safe and healing class environments. 

4. Why might yoga teacher training programs overlook polyvagal approach and nervous system education?

Traditional yoga teacher training programs might emphasize the physical aspects of yoga, leaving little room for exploring the profound emotional and psychological dimensions that the polyvagal approach can address.

5. Why do yoga teacher training programs prioritize physical aspects over polyvagal awareness?

Yoga’s historical image as a physical practice might lead training programs to emphasize the physical realm, inadvertently overlooking the transformative potential of the polyvagal approach in healing trauma.

Suggested Solutions: Empowering Yoga Teachers with Polyvagal-Informed Trauma Training

1. Polyvagal-Based Trauma Training:

   Offer specialized training that delves into the polyvagal approach and its profound implications for trauma-informed teaching. Equip yoga teachers with the knowledge of pendulation, titration, and nervous system regulation to facilitate healing. 

2. Integrate Polyvagal Education in Yoga Training:

   Infuse polyvagal education modules into existing yoga teacher training programs or attend additional trainings.  Future yoga instructors need to understand the role of the polyvagal approach in shaping class dynamics and fostering a safe environment.

3. Continual Self-Reflection and Learning:

   Encourage ongoing self-reflection and education among yoga teachers. The polyvagal approach requires constant learning and adaptation, empowering teachers to create trauma-sensitive spaces.

4. Illuminate Transformative Anecdotes:

   Share narratives of yoga teachers trained in polyvagal-informed trauma work who have witnessed healing transformations within their classes. Concrete examples can inspire others to embrace the polyvagal approach.

5 Foster Collaborative Learning Spaces:

   Nurture an environment where yoga teachers collaboratively explore polyvagal concepts. Studios and communities can provide support for teachers seeking to integrate the approach into their practices.