Trauma informed yoga

We list trauma-informed yoga at Maitri Studio as one of our options. While there are currently no specific trauma-informed classes, several of our teachers are trauma-informed yoga trained, or have similar professional training. I am putting this article here as one-stop shop place for those visiting our website. I will add to it as opportunities at Maitri for this style of teaching develop. 

Trauma-informed yoga - what is it?

This approach is designed to help survivors of trauma and PTSD to experience yoga in safe space, reconnecting with sensation in the body and develop personal wellbeing. Teachers are aware of the potential impacts of psychological trauma and adjust their teaching methods accordingly, with invitational language, understanding each individual, ensuring safety and encouraging a return to being grounded and having the ability to make your own choices about your practice. 

Current teachers

There are many ways to train in trauma-informed yoga, all with various levels of depth and experience. It is also possible that a teacher does not have an official 'trauma-informed' qualification but has many years of experience working with students through yoga or in other aspects of their work and can host a space safely. 

We encourage anyone interested to take a look at the profile pages of the teachers below, and also to speak to any of us to find out more. It is important you find a teacher you are comfortable with. 

Zoe Kohner is trained specifically in Trauma-Informed Yoga through Trauma Therapy Manchester (100-hour Trauma-Informed Yoga training).
"Alongside this, my approach is grounded in trauma-informed practice through my current training in integrative therapeutic counselling and my experience working one-to-one with neurodivergent adults and children, families, and people recovering from trauma in community and voluntary sector settings. My work centres choice, pacing, nervous system education, and creating a safe, collaborative space where people feel in control of their bodies.
I offer 1:1 sessions in Belfast (Maitri studio) or online. My fee is £45 per session." [email protected]

Maggie McKeever In 2021 she completed a 100 hour training in Trauma-informed Yoga & Embodied Social Change. In March ‘22 she completed the empirically-validated Trauma Centre Trauma Sensitive Yoga (TCTSY) method, a 300 hour training with the Center for Trauma & Embodiment at Justice Resource Institute. Visit her website for more information https://www.maggiemckeeveryoga.com/about

Jo McCormick is a retired nurse of 40 years experience as well as being an accredited coach and facilitator. She teaches a gentle form of yoga at Maitri Studio.

Deirdre Heaney has formal trauma informed training and clinical experience as a retired senior occupational therapist, through the chronic pain clinic and rotations through clinical psychiatry in the Belfast Trust. She offers a free initial discovery session to confirm any student is within her professional scope of practice and if we are the right fit for each other. She currently offers a yoga for chronic pain class at Maitri Studio as well as individual pain reprocessing therapy. 

All teachers are listed on our team page and there are others who do offer 1:1s (e.g. Claire Ferry, Steven Conville, Lucie Chenet Rea) without specific trauma-informed training but if a teacher resonates with you, do not hestitate to contact them.