The Power of Choice in Trauma-Informed Yoga

"For survivors of trauma who have been forced to separate from themselves in order to survive, there is no act more revolutionary than choosing to be in your body." – Hannah Uiri

Trauma-informed yoga is more than just physical postures; it’s about creating a space where you feel safe, seen, and empowered. One of the most powerful aspects of trauma-informed yoga is the concept of choice.

A key feature of trauma is the loss of choice over what happens to you. Our nervous system becomes overwhelmed, and may struggle to return to a regulated state. This can lead to hyper-vigilance, where we are constantly on guard and bracing for what might come next. We may also dissociate, disconnecting from our emotions and bodily sensations as a way to cope with the overwhelming experience. As a result, being present in our bodies can feel unsafe, making it difficult to experience not only pain but also joy, love, and connection. Healing from trauma involves recognizing that we do have choices again and that it is safe to be in our bodies. 

Trauma-informed yoga provides a gentle pathway to reconnect, inviting you to return to your body at your own pace, with full autonomy and care. It incorporates mindfulness, gentle movement, and grounding techniques to help you reconnect with your body in a safe and non-judgmental way. 

In a trauma-informed yoga class, everything is optional. You’re invited to listen to your body and decide what feels right in each moment. Options for poses will be given, allowing you to choose the variation that suits you best. Maybe you skip a pose, stay in child’s pose longer, or take a different option altogether. The key is that it’s your choice, not an expectation, and your choices will always be honored. By practicing making choices on the yoga mat, you can begin to regain a sense of autonomy that extends beyond the practice, empowering you to make choices in other areas of life as well.

Another important element is invitational language. Instead of saying “do this” or “move into this pose,” a trauma-informed yoga instructor might say, “You might like to try…” or “If it feels right for you…” This shift in language removes pressure and reinforces that there’s no “right” way to practice, helping you to recognize and honor what truly feels best for you moment to moment.

Ultimately, trauma-informed yoga is about self-compassion and listening to your body. It’s not about perfection or achieving specific poses—it’s about healing through embodiment and honoring what your body needs in the moment.

By offering choice and a safe space to reconnect, yoga can help guide you back to yourself. The more you practice making empowered choices in a supportive environment, the more those choices will extend to every part of your life, helping you feel more confident, connected, and grounded in the world.

New Clients: For individual yoga, new clients can schedule through the website.  

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Existing clients: email kateh.yoga@gmail.com to request yoga be added to their list of services. This will enable scheduling through the website.