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Trauma Sensitive Yoga
Trauma Sensitive Yoga (TSY) is an invitational, body-based practice developed at the Trauma Center at the Justice Resource Institute (JRI) in the USA. It offers a way to reconnect with your body in the present moment. Through movement, breath, and choice.
Rather than focusing on achieving specific postures, TSY supports you to notice sensation, make choices, and build a felt sense of safety and agency in your body. Each practice is guided through invitational language and grounded in the understanding that you are the expert of your own experience.
This approach is supported by over two decades of clinical research and has been shown to help reduce symptoms of trauma, anxiety, and dissociation by restoring connection between body and mind.
You can read more about TCTSY via their website
My Training and Approach
I trained with the Trauma Center at JRI in 2019–2020 and have been teaching yoga for over seven years. My facilitation style is calm, invitational, and rooted in the principles of safety, choice, and empowerment. Every class is an opportunity to listen to your body with compassion, without needing to fix or change anything.
ACC-Funded Group Classes
Our ACC Sensitive Claims funded in-person group for women who are seeking a gentle, body‑based approach to reconnect with themselves and assist healing from the impacts of trauma. It offers a supportive, choice‑driven space to explore movement, breath, and grounding at your own pace. Suitable for all fitness levels, no yoga experience needed. Talk to your Lead Service Provider (therapist) to seek approval from ACC to join.
Our next 8 week course on Thursday mornings 9:30am to 10:30am
19th February to 16th April (no session on 19th March) at Soul Tree Yoga studio 2 King St, Pukekohe.
Speak to your ACC therapist to enquire about joining, who will seek approval from ACC. Then, with your permission, they will provide Emily with information to support your enrolment. Emily then will contact you to talk more about what the group will be like and to answer any questions you may have. You do need to be attending individual therapy with your ACC therapist during this group. This group doesn’t affect your available hours with your therapist, as there is a separate allocation of hours for group therapy. We also have more Trauma Sensitive
Yoga courses running later in 2026:
Term 2: 30 April to 18 June
Term 3: 30 July to 17 Sept
Term 4: 22 Oct to 10 Dec
Contact:
Emily: emilythomaspsyc@outlook.com or
Kirsty: thequietbodynz@gmail.com
Read more on TCTSY
About Your Facilitator
In my years of practicing yoga I have experienced first-hand the benefits of yoga, not just for healing but also for becoming more at peace and at home in my own body. I have learnt to attune myself more deeply and consistently to my body and my mind and find ways in which to cope wth the vicissitudes of life.
I have always felt a keen desire to share these gifts with others. Four years ago I opened a yoga studio that has grown into a safe and supportive community hub.
In 2019 I embarked on my journey toward becoming a Trauma Sensitive yoga facilitator and began my study of Trauma Center Trauma-Sensitive Yoga (TCTSY) - a program of the Center for Trauma and Embodiment at the Justice Resource Institute (JRI).
I have emerged with fresh knowledge and a deeper compassion and understanding of trauma survivors.
I believe that each of us will have suffered trauma to some degree in our lives and that this technique is of benefit to us all.
