a pathway to Feel at home, safe, confident, and strong
Reconnect with your Body
What Is Trauma-informed Yoga?
Trauma-informed yoga is fundamentally different from typical fitness-based yoga classes. Rather than focusing on athletic achievement or achieving a “perfect” pose, this practice is designed to be a safe exploration of sensation, offering survivors of trauma an opportunity to foster a positive and empowering relationship with their bodies.
Trauma can profoundly affect how we experience our bodies. After a traumatic experience, the nervous system can remain in states of high alert or shutdown, even when the danger has passed. This can leave individuals feeling constantly agitated and on edge (hyperarousal) or emotionally numb, disconnected, and hopeless (hypoarousal).
The Goal
Trauma-informed yoga helps create a safe space to reconnect with your body on your own terms, offering a range of benefits for overall well-being by working directly with the nervous system to restore regulation and balance.
Core Principles
Trauma-informed yoga is built on a foundation of four core principles, all designed to return a sense of control and agency to you:
01
safe and supportive
Invitational Language
The facilitator invites you to notice sensations or try a form, but never commands you to do anything. This approach shares power and eliminates any sense of hierarchy in the room.
02
explore your body
Interoception
The practice focuses on helping you notice internal, visceral sensations in your body. Every movement is an opportunity to explore what it feels like from the inside, building a stronger mind-body connection.
03
you are in control
Choice Making
You are always offered choices for every movement and form. There is no “right or wrong way” to practice, which helps restore a sense of personal control and empowers you to listen to your own body.
04
non-judgmental
Authentic Experience
The facilitator practices right alongside you and does not position themselves as an expert on what is right for your body. This creates a supportive, non-judgmental environment of shared exploration.
Benefits Backed by Research
The efficacy of trauma-informed yoga is not just anecdotal—it is backed by rigorous scientific research. A groundbreaking 2014 randomized controlled trial published in the Journal of Clinical Psychiatry demonstrated profound impacts:
Key findings:
- 52% of participants no longer met diagnostic criteria for PTSD after just 10 weeks
- 45% reduction in PTSD symptoms after 20 weeks of practice
- 59% reduction in dissociative symptoms after 20 weeks
How It Works
Building a Mind-Body Connection: The consistent focus on interoception—noticing internal sensations—helps you develop greater awareness of your body’s signals and cultivate a friendlier, more trusting relationship with your body.
Calming Your Nervous System: This practice helps regulate the body’s stress response, reducing sympathetic activation, lowering blood pressure, and improving heart rate variability—a key indicator of your body’s resilience to stress.
Enhancing Emotional Well-being: Trauma-informed yoga significantly reduces symptoms of PTSD and dissociation by helping individuals learn to tolerate physical and sensory experiences within a safe and supportive context.
About Me
My name is Tarah Neujahr Bryan, and I am a Registered Yoga Teacher (RYT) with specialized certifications in trauma-informed yoga and children’s yoga.
In addition to private and group sessions, I teach for parents and children at Autism Outdoors Utah, bringing the healing benefits of trauma-informed movement to neurodivergent families.
My Commitment
Creating a safe, predictable, and welcoming environment where your comfort and autonomy are the top priorities. Every session honors your pace, your choices, and your unique healing journey.
Introductory Session
— For those new to my teaching
55-minute first session
Try a session to ensure we’re a good fit before committing to regular practice.
$15
Regular Session
— For Individuals, families, or private groups
55-minute session
Completely custom and bespoke 1:1 sessions or private group classes (you choose the attendees). Sliding scale options are available to ensure accessibility. Please inquire about financial assistance if cost is a barrier.
$100/session
Introductory Series
$250
Save $50
3 private bespoke 55-minute sessions over 4 weeks. Valid for 6 months. Transferrable once.
most popular
Building Safety Series
$500
Save $100
6 private bespoke 55-minute sessions over 8 weeks. Valid for 6 months. Transferrable once.
Deep Roots Series
$1,000
Save $200
12 private bespoke 55-minute sessions over 4 months. Valid for 12 months. Transferrable once.
5-session pack
— to use as needed
Private, bespoke 55-minute sessions when you need them.
Save $50. Valid 6 months. Transferrable once.
$450
10-session pack
— to use as needed
Private, bespoke 55-minute sessions when you need them.
Save $100. Valid 12 months. Transferrable once.
$900
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to have been diagnosed with PTSD to benefit from trauma-informed yoga?
No. While trauma-informed yoga has been scientifically validated for treating PTSD, it can benefit anyone who has experienced trauma, regardless of whether they have a formal diagnosis. This includes survivors of abuse, neglect, accidents, or any overwhelming experience that has affected your relationship with your body.
I’ve never done yoga before. Is that okay?
Absolutely. Trauma-informed yoga is not about athletic ability or achieving specific poses. There are no prerequisites, and you don’t need any prior yoga experience. The practice focuses on your internal experience and reconnecting with your body at your own pace.
What if I don’t feel comfortable in group settings?
That’s completely understandable. Research shows that many trauma survivors prefer one-to-one sessions due to a greater sense of safety and comfort. I offer both individual sessions and private group classes, so you can choose what feels right for you. The introductory session is a great way to experience the practice in a private setting.
Will there be physical touch or adjustments?
No. Trauma-informed yoga explicitly avoids hands-on physical assists or adjustments. Your body is your own, and maintaining clear physical boundaries is essential to creating a safe space.
Can trauma-informed yoga replace therapy?
No. Trauma-informed yoga is designed as a complementary practice—what’s called an “adjunctive treatment”—not a replacement for professional mental health care. It works alongside therapy, counseling, or other treatments. If you’re not currently working with a mental health professional and are struggling with trauma, I encourage you to seek that support in addition to exploring yoga.
Have more questions or want to schedule a session?
I am here to help. This is a safe space.
Email: [email protected]