Trauma Sensitive Yoga (TSY) and working with the nervous system have become popular phrases,,but what is it? Trauma Sensitive Yoga is a clinical adaptation of a Hatha yoga practice. When being guided by a TSY guide they are supporting you in connecting to interoception. Interoception is our ability to read our bodies cues, for example you know you’re hungry when your stomach growls. Our body and brain are giving us sensational cues all throughout the day. The Insula reads the physical state of our body and sends a message to our prefrontal cortex which leads to action. Think of it this way, if you had an itchy nose your Insula would notice the itch and your prefrontal cortex would then direct your hand to itch your nose.
Individuals who have experienced trauma may disconnect from their bodies not only during the traumatic event, but also moving forward. Therefore these individuals miss their body’s sensations and cues. Through TSY a Trauma Informed guide will support you in relearning and connecting to these sensations.
We all have something called a “Window of Tolerance”, those who have experienced trauma tend to have a smaller “Window of Tolerance” Moments we spend outside of our “Window of Tolerance” are when we tend to react vs. respond. Trauma Sensitive Yoga not only supports individuals in widening their “Window of Tolerance”, but it also supports individuals in learning new coping skills to return to their “Window of Tolerance”
You can read the full blog via the Savannahian: https://www.thesavannahian.com/