Trauma Center Trauma Sensitive Yoga (TCTSY)
An official facilitator of the original yoga for trauma
Evidence and Research
TCTSY is the first yoga-based empirically validated, clinical intervention for complex trauma or chronic, treatment-resistant post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
TCTSY Methodology
The TCTSY methodology is based on central components of hatha yoga where participants engage in a series of physical forms and movements. Elements of standard hatha yoga are modified to maximize experiences of empowerment and to cultivate a more positive relationship to one's body.
Why is TCTSY different
Unlike many public yoga classes, TCTSY does not use physical hands-on adjustments to influence a participant's physical form. Rather, TCTSY presents opportunities for participants to be in charge of themselves based on a felt sense of their own body.
Why integrate TCTSY into Therapy for trauma?
The Synthesis of bottom-up and top-down processing
TCTSY supports bottom-up processing, helping people build self-regulation to address how trauma is stored in the body. It helps calm the nervous system and the areas of the primitive brain that are activated by trauma experiences.
Psychotherapy supports top-down processing by assisting individuals in addressing how trauma becomes stored in memories within the higher-level brain. It helps people understand, process, and make sense of fragmented memories, allowing the pieces to be integrated into a coherent whole.​​
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​Combining TCTSY with psychotherapy addresses trauma on multiple levels, fostering a deeper mind-body connection.
Benefits of Trauma Sensitive Yoga
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Emphasizes body awareness and encourages participants to tune into their bodily sensations, which can help them to better understand and regulate their emotional responses.​
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Emphasizes the importance of choice and agency, allowing you to have control over your practice and adjust it to meet your unique needs and preferences.​
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Incorporates breathing techniques and gentle movements, which can help to promote relaxation and reduce symptoms of anxiety and depression.
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Helps participants feel connected to themselves, to others, and to the world around them, which can be particularly important for trauma survivors who may struggle with feelings of isolation and disconnection.