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Trauma‑Sensitive Yoga General Practice Group

This is a gentle, trauma‑sensitive yoga group open to all adults, with no assessment or referral required. The focus is on helping people safely reconnect with their bodies through mindful movement and awareness.

Practical Details

• Cost: $15 per person
  (Bring a partner and the cost is $12 each)

• Length: 30 minutes

• Format: In‑person or online

• Registration: Please email Hello@MakenaHealthAndWellness.CA or call 250‑733‑1173 to register.

• Online option: If attending online, let us know in advance. A meeting link will be sent after registration and payment.

About the Practice

This class is based on a well‑researched, trauma‑sensitive form of yoga originally developed to support recovery from complex trauma. The practice emphasizes awareness of bodily sensation rather than achieving specific poses.

Choice is central to the approach. You decide:

• Whether or not you move

• How you move

• How much you move

• Or whether you move differently than what is being offered

This makes the group accessible to many body types and energy levels. Movements can be done standing, seated, or lying down, on whatever surface you have available.

For those familiar with traditional yoga, this practice may feel different. It is best understood as its own style, with a strong focus on safety, choice, and self‑awareness rather than performance or flexibility.

Important Support Considerations

Because this is a public group without assessments, etc., I will not know your personal history or specific concerns and may not be able to provide individual support if something feels uncomfortable. Participants are encouraged to support themselves by:

• Keeping movements within a range that feels safe and manageable

• Having a journal or paper available to write or draw if emotions or sensations arise

• Making sure you have access to supportive people (friends, family, or trusted contacts) if you feel especially affected after the session

If a therapist, counsellor, or minister has recommended this group as a complement to other work you are doing, consider discussing with them how best to support yourself between sessions.

Overall Aim

The aim of this group is to offer a short, accessible, and respectful space for people to explore gentle movement and body awareness in a way that prioritizes choice, safety, and self‑regulation.

 Program Overview

This small group program supports people living with trauma‑related mental health concerns. The focus is on helping participants better understand their symptoms, build effective coping skills, and gradually return to meaningful daily life and work in a way that feels safe and sustainable. Most sessions will incorporate a somatic therapy, such as trauma-sensitive yoga, for a portion of the time. Occasionally, we may explore other therapies, such as creative expression, depending upon group preference. The cost is $30 per session and each session is 50 minutes. Sessions are in-person but virtual may be possible on a case-by-case basis. Please email us at Hello@MakenaHealthAndWellness.CA or call us at 250-733-1173 to request participation.

How the Program Works

• Getting to know you:
  We begin with a person‑centered assessment screens to understand how trauma is affecting your mental health, sleep, routines, and daily functioning. Simple questionnaires are used to help track symptoms over time.

• Understanding trauma:
  Participants learn how trauma affects the brain, body, emotions, relationships, and daily life. We explore a wide range of evidence‑informed strategies that many people find helpful, such as gentle movement, strength‑based exercise, time in nature, creative expression, breathing techniques, mindfulness, sleep support, sensory tools, and belief‑based or meaning‑focused practices. These approaches can complement counselling or therapy if you are also working with a mental health professional.

• Building realistic routines:
  Together, we look at your daily routines to understand where your time and energy go. Many people discover they are doing too much and leaving little time for recovery. You’ll learn a practical way to plan activities that includes time to prepare, do the task, and recover afterward—so your expectations match real life, not ideals.

• Reconnecting with your sense of self:
  Trauma can disrupt identity and choice. We spend time exploring your sense of purpose, values, and hopes so you can begin making decisions based on what matters to you—not just what others expect. This supports healthier boundaries, symptom awareness, and long‑term work success.

• Practicing symptom self‑management:
  You’ll try different coping and regulation strategies, reflect on what helps most, and practice them regularly. Support is provided as you build confidence and consistency, with the goal of long‑term self‑management.

• Gradual increase in activity and tolerance:
  If relevant to the group, activity tolerance may be incorporated into the sessions. Activities are carefully paced based on your comfort and capacity. This may start with managing time outside the home and gradually progress to tasks that are more challenging. 

Overall Goal

The goal of the program is to help you feel more stable, confident, and capable in managing trauma‑related symptoms—so you can engage in daily life, relationships, and work in ways that are meaningful and sustainable for you.