The author defines trauma, and what trauma can be to each person. She also discusses recognizing trauma, and how to make a supportive environment for those who have experienced trauma to learn yoga practices that help release trauma from the body. Very descriptive, with clear pictures for each pose, and multiple variations on those poses. It is good to note that the author uses varying body types, weights, and poses for those who may be physically challenged. Yoga can be done from a chair and it is important to note that yoga is available to all people, body types, weights, physical challenges, mental health needs, and more. A recommended read.

📚 Book Review 📚
Title: The Essential Guide to Trauma Sensitive Yoga: How to Create Safer Spaces for All
Author: Lara Land
Genre: Non-Fiction / Health & Well-being
Date published: May 1, 2023

📚Synopsis:
This book provides the understanding and foundations behind shifting instructional methodology and beliefs to support students with various levels of trauma. With 260 photos of yoga poses and sequences including details and suggestions for props and adaptations, the author has created a how-to resource guide that can thoughtfully be added to your current yoga practice.

✍️ My review:
I chose this book because I am an avid at-home yoga student, as well as an elementary school teacher growing my understanding of how-to create a trauma-sensitive learning environment, and this book was the perfect fit. The first 100ish pages of this book provided a thorough and thoughtful framework on how to create a trauma-sensitive teaching mindset and environment - I actually think every teacher could benefit from reading this. The second part of the book is very specific to yoga and offers easy to follow pictures if you want to try a few sequences. I’d recommend this book to anyone who is curious about building safe spaces and the healing power of movement and breath.

💕You might like this book if:
🔹 you are interested in the mind-body connections
🔹 you are interested in setting up learning environments that minimize triggers / anxiety for students with past trauma
🔹you are curious about the rational behind the order of yoga poses in a sequence

A huge thanks to @netgalley and @shambhala_publications for providing me with an eGalley in return for an honest review.

The Essential Guide to Trauma Sensitive Yoga by Lara Land spoke to me on so many levels.

As a yoga teacher with a chronic illness, I know how trauma can find its way into you body and onto your mat. When I took my 200 hour, it wasn’t to learn to teach, but to learn how to bring different types of yoga into my own practice when I wasn’t feeling well. After reading this book, I know I’m not alone; the community of yoga teachers who are here to support each other and their students experiencing trauma is so strong. This book touches on the stories of teachers and students, all finding their own voices in their own practices, alongside images of asanas with many variations. How breath and conscious awareness can calm our minds and ignite a sense of community is a central theme. “Trauma informed yoga is a tool for establishing healthy [boundaries]” and I can’t wait to keep learning on this subject.

I really enjoyed this take on Trauma Sensitive Yoga. As I try to become more aware of triggering language in my practices, I like to read more about the subject matter. I feel like each book has a different take and I love learning different ways to be more mindful. I really loved learning about all the Lara has done for the practice.
Thanks to Shambhala publications, Lara Land and Netgalley for an early copy.

Such a helpful guide. I think this would be great for therapists to give their clients. I loved the explanations and found it easy to follow.