Trauma Informed Mindfulness
Rachael is a certified Trauma Informed Mindfulness Instructor. After years of studying with the leading experts in Trauma Sensitive Mindfulness and Yoga, she understands the nuance and language required to create a safe space.
Mindfulness and Healing
Mindfulness can be a powerful tool to help calm the nervous system and help find self-regulation in the body. Self-regulation can help people feel safe in their bodies and assist them with their healing goals. Healing work is a multi-prong approach. It occurs when people can move back into the present moment, stop reliving their trauma and having trauma symptoms. It is when a person gets out of the loop of activation and their story feels complete. It is recommended to work with trained Trauma Therapist in addition to a mindfulness practice.
Trauma Informed Mindfulness
A trauma informed mindfulness practitioner can offer mindfulness practices in a safe way. A person suffering with traumatic stress might be recommended to start a mindfulness practice such as meditation or yoga. It could be tempting to jump right into a yoga retreat or deep meditation practice. A person suffering trauma symptoms would risk being overwhelmed or re-traumatizing themselves. Trauma informed mindfulness offers specific tools and modifications to support people safely in their practice.
Exploring the Window of Tolerance
The idea of the “window of tolerance” was originally defined by Dr Dan Siegal to describe the self-regulated state where a person can function, learn and cope with their emotions. Stress and trauma can shrink your window of tolerance. Therapy and mindfulness can help increase your window of tolerance. It’s important to know how to manage your “triggers” in your practice so you can stay regulated.
Modifications
Trauma informed mindfulness should always offer people choices. People should feel in control of their own practice. There should be clarity around what the practice will include. For example, there needs to be consent, people should always be allowed to leave, shift positions or open their eyes. The lighting should be left at a reasonable level and the room should not have an overpowering smell. As with anything, mindfulness should be approached with curiosity and an open mind by both the practitioner and the client. A great teacher should empower you to find your own voice and safety within your body.
But little by little,
as you left their voices behind,
the stars began to burn
through the sheets of clouds,
and there was a new voice
which you slowly
recognized as your own,
that kept you company
as you strode deeper and deeper
into the world,
determined to do
the only thing you could do—
determined to save
the only life you could save.
— Mary Oliver, The Journey, 1963
