Aftermath Agency Yoga: terms and agreement

The following information will help you get the most out of your Trauma Sensitive Yoga (TSY) classes at Aftermath Agency and clarify the role of the yoga teacher/facilitator and your responsibilities as a participant.

TSY classes at The Aftermath Agency are taught by certified yoga teachers who have completed thorough professional yoga training. The Aftermath Agency’s TSY classes are a transformational practice in the style of Hatha Yoga, which aims to unite mind, body, and spirit for health and overall wellbeing. Trauma Sensitive Yoga classes are structured to increase each participant's personal choice, and emotional and physical safety.

What is Trauma Sensitive Yoga?

Trauma Sensitive Yoga is a form of yoga as therapy, adapted from modern postural yoga or “Asanas.” It is a synthesis of the ancient practice of yoga with modern neuroscience, attachment theory, mindfulness, somatic experiencing and Polyvagal theory. It is designed to promote an enhanced feeling of safety for traumatized individuals as they engage in physical exercise that is focused on body awareness, engagement in present moment, breathwork and connectedness to oneself.

TSY is adaptive, and works to meet the individualized needs of each student, and no prior yoga experience is necessary. Trauma sensitive yoga is an adjunct therapeutic treatment to traditional psychotherapy counseling. It is not intended to be a substitute for psychotherapy. It is instead offered as an additional practice and context, for clients coping with trauma, depression, eating disorders, and anxiety disorders.

Some benefits of TSY include learning how to better regulate emotional responses, learning to cultivate mindfulness through breathwork and movement, increasing awareness and connection to our bodies, resiliency to stress, and changing perception and intensity of physical pain experiences. It can reduce autonomic sympathetic activation, relax muscle tension, reduce blood pressure, increase heart rate variability, improve neuroendocrine and hormonal activity, decrease cortisol production, decrease physical pain sensations and emotional distress, and increase mind body connectedness.

How is Trauma Sensitive Yoga different than other types of yoga classes?

  • A slower, gentler pace to allow for the opportunity to rebuild connection with oneself and feel safe in their bodies again

  • Invitational language instead of strict instruction and or commands

  • No physical hands-on adjustments or assists

  • Focus is on connection to own body and not on ‘achieving the right pose’ or ‘achieving certain level of flexibility/strength’ etc.

  • Facilitator will continually offer options, modifications, allowing participant to practice making empowered choices, opting in or out of any portion of the class at any time

  • Greater focus on breathwork that helps to regulate autonomic nervous system

  • Orientation to environment and five senses to enhance focus on grounding

The Trauma Sensitive Yoga Facilitator agrees to:

  • Offer variations of yoga postures throughout class while emphasizing participants’ personal choice

  • Refrain from offering hands-on assists during Trauma Sensitive Yoga classes

  • Instead of calling out a postural and or safety correction to an individual– will address the whole class a reminder for the safer physical posture

  • Remain on her mat or chair during class

  • Practice the Yoga postures/asanas with the participants

As a Trauma Sensitive Yoga participant, you agree to:

  • Participate in each yoga class to the best of your ability, allowing yourself to rest and/or modify postures as needed (and/or ask the instructor for help)

  • Take responsibility for your safety and wellbeing by listening to your body and adjusting postures as needed

  • Attend class sober from alcohol or any street drugs or non-prescribed medication

  • Use personal coping skills to regulate emotions during class in order to respect fellow participants’ right to a peaceful yoga environment

  • Inform your instructor of any health conditions or injuries that could be affected by your practice of yoga and of any activity that you cannot safely perform

This is NOT a place to discuss your trauma; however, questions regarding things like known triggers, medication that may affect your yoga practice, and any injuries or illnesses that may impact your physical movement can be discussed privately and confidentially.

Note: It is always advisable to consult your physician or therapist before beginning any physical activity program and we encourage you to do so. All physical activity programs involve risk of injury. The Trauma Sensitive Yoga instructor is available to consult with your clinician if desired after The Aftermath Agency receives a signed release of information form.

By choosing to participate in Trauma Sensitive Yoga classes, you voluntarily assume a certain risk of injury.

  • The following guidelines will help you reduce your risk of injury:

  • Breathe smoothly and continuously as you move and stretch

  • Try not to hold your breath or strain to attain any posture

  • Work gently while respecting your body's abilities and limitations

  • Don't perform postures or movements that are painful

All absences are non-refundable. By agreeing to this form, you certify that you have read and voluntarily agree to the above statements, and hereby release The Aftermath Agency and your class instructor from any and all liability for any injuries that you may sustain during or as a result of your participation in these yoga classes.

By scheduling this class, I acknowledge that I have read, understand, and fully and voluntarily agree to the content of this Professional Disclosure, Consent and Waiver of Liability form.