Trauma Sensitive Yoga
Trauma Center Trauma-Sensitive Yoga (TCTSY) is a clinically validated, body-based therapy designed specifically for people living with complex trauma or treatment-resistant PTSD.
Unlike traditional talk therapy, TCTSY works with the body — not by talking about the past, but by helping you notice and reconnect with yourself in the present moment.
Who Developed It?
TCTSY was developed by Dave Emerson and Jenn Turner at the Trauma Center in Brookline, Massachusetts, in collaboration with renowned trauma psychiatrist Dr. Bessel van der Kolk — author of The Body Keeps the Score.
It is the first empirically validated yoga-based intervention for complex trauma and chronic, treatment-resistant PTSD.
Why It Works
Trauma doesn't only live in the mind. Flashbacks, hypervigilance, and dissociation are physiological responses — meaning they happen in the body, not just in thought.
TCTSY addresses trauma where it actually lives, by building interoceptive awareness: the ability to notice, trust, and respond to what your body is telling you.
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Tuning into internal bodily sensations — the foundation of self-awareness.
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Every movement is an invitation, never a command. You decide.
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Rebuilding a sense of agency that trauma so often takes away.
The question is not 'Can you do this pose?' — it is
"What do you notice?
What feels right for you, right now?"
How TCTSY Compares to Talk TherapyBig Ideas, Real Impact.
Research shows TCTSY is as effective as talk therapy — with a significantly higher retention rate. People stay in treatment longer because they don't have to verbally revisit painful experiences to heal.
Traditional Yoga / Therapy
Corrective cues
Focus on correct form
Group alignment to a standard
May feel triggering for trauma survivors
TCTSY Instructor-led
Invitational language ("you might try...")
Focus on your internal experience
Individual choice in every moment
Designed specifically to feel safe
For someone whose trauma involved a loss of control, being directed how to move their body can feel threatening. TCTSY removes that dynamic entirely.
Is Trauma Sensitive Yoga Right for you?
TCTSY was developed with some of the most underserved trauma survivors in mind — people with:
Complex trauma (repeated, relational, or childhood trauma)
PTSD that hasn't responded to conventional treatment
Difficulty engaging in or completing talk therapy
You do not need:
Prior yoga experience
Flexibility or fitness
Any knowledge of mindfulness
To talk about your trauma
All that's asked of you is a willingness to notice — what you feel, what you prefer, what is true for you right now. The present moment is where TCTSY does its work.
FAQs
What is the difference between trauma-sensitive yoga and regular yoga?
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While traditional yoga classes often emphasize physical alignment, mastering specific poses, and following an instructor's direct commands, trauma-sensitive yoga focuses entirely on your internal physical experience. The language used by the facilitator is invitational rather than directive, offering you choices in how and if you move. There are no physical adjustments and no expectations to perform a pose "perfectly."
Do I need prior yoga experience or flexibility to participate?
2
No prior yoga experience, athletic ability, or flexibility is required. Trauma-sensitive yoga is accessible to all bodies and fitness levels. The practice is not about achieving a workout or stretching to a specific threshold; it is about gently rebuilding a safe, predictable connection with your body at your own pace.
What happens during a typical session?
3
Sessions are held in a secure, calming environment where you are in complete control of your experience. The facilitator will guide you through gentle movements and breathing exercises using invitational language, such as "I invite you to notice" or "if it feels comfortable for you." You will always be offered choices and are encouraged to modify any movement, rest, or opt out of a form entirely whenever you need to.
Will the facilitator use hands-on adjustments?
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No. A fundamental principle of trauma-sensitive yoga is re-establishing bodily autonomy and physical safety. Facilitators will never use physical touch or hands-on assists to correct or change your posture. You are the sole authority over your body throughout the entire practice.