Trauma-Informed Yoga at Alchemy Collective is a specialized therapeutic approach that combines the healing power of yoga with current understanding of trauma, neuroscience, and somatic psychology. This is not typical yoga class—it's a carefully crafted practice designed to help you safely reconnect with your body, regulate your nervous system, and build resilience after traumatic experiences.

Traditional yoga practices are intentionally modified to create an environment of safety, choice, and empowerment. Our trauma-informed yoga facilitators understand how trauma affects the brain, body, and nervous system, and they guide practices that support regulation, grounding, and embodied presence rather than pushing for physical achievement or perfect form.

During a session, you'll be invited to explore gentle movements, breathing practices, and mindful awareness at your own pace. There is no expectation to perform postures in any particular way, and modifications are always offered. The emphasis is on noticing internal sensations, making choices that feel right for your body, and developing a compassionate relationship with yourself.

Benefits of Trauma-Informed Yoga

Nervous System Regulation: Learn practical tools to calm your nervous system when activated and to recognize and expand your window of tolerance.

Embodied Presence: Gradually and safely reconnect with bodily sensations and develop a sense of being "at home" in your body.

Empowerment Through Choice: Experience making choices based on your internal needs rather than external expectations, building agency and self-trust.

Mindfulness Skills: Develop the ability to observe thoughts, emotions, and sensations without being overwhelmed by them.

Gentle Strength Building: Discover your body's natural strength and capacity in a non-competitive, supportive environment.

Community and Connection: Experience being in shared space with others in a way that feels safe and supportive.

Integration of Healing: Support the integration of insights from other therapeutic work through embodied practice.

Self-Regulation Tools: Learn portable practices you can use in daily life to manage stress, anxiety, and trauma responses.

Who Can Benefit from Trauma-Informed Yoga

This practice can be particularly supportive for individuals experiencing:

• Trauma Recovery - Including complex trauma, single-incident trauma, and developmental trauma

• PTSD Symptoms - Including hypervigilance, intrusive thoughts, and emotional numbing

• Dissociation - Including disconnection from bodily sensations and present moment awareness

• Anxiety and Panic - Including fear responses and excessive worry

• Chronic Stress - Including burnout and ongoing nervous system activation

• Body Image Concerns - Including negative relationship with one's body

• Chronic Pain - Especially when connected to trauma or heightened nervous system activation

• Recovery Journeys - Including substance use recovery and eating disorder recovery

• Grief and Loss - Supporting embodied processing of grief

• Complementary Support - Enhancing other therapeutic modalities with embodied practice

The Alchemy Collective Difference

At Alchemy Collective, our approach to Trauma-Informed Yoga is:

Deeply Trauma-Sensitive: Our facilitators have specialized training in trauma, nervous system regulation, and creating environments of safety.

Inclusive and Accessible: We welcome all bodies, abilities, and experience levels, offering multiple options for every practice.

Neuroscience-Informed: Our approach is grounded in current understanding of how trauma affects the brain and nervous system.

Language-Conscious: We use invitational language that emphasizes choice, avoiding commands or expectations.

Integration-Focused: When beneficial, elements from this practice can be integrated with your other therapeutic work at Alchemy Collective.