Trauma Sensitive Yoga Project, LLC

08/31/2026

In our Gentle Yoga Class, we’re working with the 4th Niyama (personal observance), Svadyaya. Svadyaya is a study of oneself. Not just an intellectual study, but a gentle, warm, and heartfelt journey into the self – who we are and why we do what we do. It’s a catalyst for personal and spiritual growth. It provides us with an opportunity to break free from old patterns or limiting beliefs, connect more deeply with our inner wisdom and sense of inner peace, and offer more meaning and purpose into our life. Who do we want to be and what kind of life do we want to live? It’s an invitation to turn inward to answer these questions, rather than go through life disconnected and distracted.

08/31/2026

In our Gentle Yoga Class, we’re working with the 4th Niyama (personal observance), Svadyaya. Svadyaya is a study of oneself. Not just an intellectual study, but a gentle, warm, and heartfelt journey into the self – who we are and why we do what we do. It’s a catalyst for personal and spiritual growth. It provides us with an opportunity to break free from old patterns or limiting beliefs, connect more deeply with our inner wisdom and sense of inner peace, and offer more meaning and purpose into our life. Who do we want to be and what kind of life do we want to live? It’s an invitation to turn inward to answer these questions, rather than go through life disconnected and distracted.

08/24/2026

08/24/2026

08/17/2026

To be clear, the practice doesn't advocate for complacency. "Heat of practice, self-discipline, transformation," are built into it.

It does advocate to practice without attachments. To allow the practice to unfold as it will.

This is, in essence, a way of "being" present-- or just simply, being. Not fixing. Not striving. Not changing. Not improving, controlling, or fixing.

Just being with it however it may be, allowing, welcoming it as it is. Sensing, feeling. Curious.

It doesn't mean losing control, either.

"Sthira Sukham Asanam" (Yoga Sutra 2.46). Translates to: "a posture should be steady and comfortable."

First we create the structure, the steadiness. THEN, we find ease.

It means we don't let go of the holding patterns or coping mechanisms until we realize it's okay to do so, until we realize we no longer need them. It's a softening, an opening, an allowing, a way of being-- so there doesn't have to be so much doing.

And it doesn't happen overnight. It's a practice.

08/03/2026

08/02/2026

We are studying the Niyamas in our Gentle Yoga class. The Niyamas are personal observances for peace. In August, we'll study Tapas, which means, heat of practice. It is sometimes translated as fire or transformation. Tapas transforms something from one state to another.

Tapas relates to the practices we engage in to heal, return to, or maintain balance. In Yoga, it’s believed that our inherent nature is equilibrium and peace. However, we can get off balance, either in a way that can be over-active, anxious, and hypervigilant; or lethargic, heavy, and inertial. Tapas is what you do to restore balance. It takes effort.

Consider this quote by Leslie Kaminoff (author & yoga educator): “Breath (and thus yoga) is the great teacher of tapas, svadhyaya, isvarapranidhana. Tapas refers to that which you can change; isvarapranidhana relates to the stuff you can’t change; svadhyaya refers to self-reflection, the introspection that allows us to distinguish one from the other.”

It is remarkably similar to the Serenity Prayer, "God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, courage to change the things I can, and wisdom to know the difference."

Tapas is the courage to change the things you can.

What is Gentle Yoga? Each monthly series we practice a different breathing technique, movement sequence (physical postures/asana), and meditation or relaxation technique. This is a beginner-friendly, trauma-informed series that focuses on grounding and centering in the body. This practice uses th...

07/30/2026

Research participants needed! Erica's study utilizes qualitative interviews to better understand individual experiences with this practice. Your insights would be invaluable to the field.

07/28/2026

Yoga offers so much more than just physical benefits. It's a subtle, yet powerful path to well-being.