Yoga for trauma and The Practice Coalition, NYC

The Practice Coalition is a not for profit organization based in New York City that offers yoga for trauma for survivors of sexual and/or domestic violence.
On June 25, 2023 at 10am The Yoga Trail hosts a charity Yoga for trauma class, which revenue will be donated to the organization. The class is led by Lillian Cuthbert, one of our team teachers and also part of the Practice Coalition

Yoga for trauma is a yoga practice tailored to the needs of anyone who has experienced trauma, and who typically don't feel comfortable in the usual studio or gym classes. Yoga for trauma classes are usually smaller in size, and taught in a way to be sensitive to the particular trauma in the room.
Sometimes classes will be geared for a specific traumatic experience, such as sexual assault or military experience. Other times it might be a more general offering, "all are welcome", to this yoga for trauma class.

In our Yoga for Trauma classes, we introduce rest slowly, if we do at all. It takes time for students to establish trust with their teachers, to trust that quiet time, and to begin to access those feelings of safety that come with rest. Alternatives are always offered in addition to Savasana. Moving the body and resting are only a few ways that yoga can support the trauma survivor. It's a big part of what we do.

Photographer: Marguerite Seger

The Practice Coalition have their our own classes that they run, in person and virtually, and they also work directly with organizations to offer yoga for trauma for their clients, staff or both. They want to serve these communities with the practices of yoga, as a means to support, uplift and inspire. They want survivors to have access to these practices without cost or question.

The practices of yoga have the ability to inspire and uplift the practitioner. People leave their mats empowered, grounded and more at peace. This makes it easier to deal with the daily stresses of our lives. Oftentimes, people who lack access to resources have another level of daily stresses and usually no time, money or access to these types of classes.           

---