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6-8 Week Trauma Sensitive Yoga Group Therapy ACC ISSC
Funded
Trauma Centre Trauma-sensitive yoga facilitator (TCTSY-f) Jessica Dziwulska is pleased to offer 6-8 week group therapy courses, both online and in-person, funded by ACC ISSC.
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Trauma Centre Trauma-Sensitive Yoga (TCTSY) is a specialized approach that recognizes the potential impact of trauma on our physical, emotional, and mental wellbeing. A trauma-sensitive yoga session focuses on creating a safe and supportive environment and empowering participants to engage with their bodies in a way that promotes healing and resilience.
Unlike traditional yoga classes, trauma-sensitive yoga is mindful of potential triggers and emphasizes choice, consent, and autonomy at all times. TCTSY incorporates movement and grounding techniques, and develops your capacity for feeling your body, noticing your breath, and making choices throughout the sessions that feel helpful for you.
The benefits of trauma-sensitive yoga are profound, particularly for those who have experienced trauma or are dealing with conditions like post-traumatic stress disorder. This approach can aid in regulating your nervous system, reducing symptoms of anxiety and depression, and improving self-awareness. Trauma-sensitive yoga provides a safe space to explore bodily sensations and emotions at your own pace, promoting a gradual restoration of trust and safety in your body.
TCTSY is especially suitable for survivors of trauma, individuals experiencing chronic stress, and those seeking a gentler and more mindful approach to physical and emotional wellbeing. Our trauma-sensitive yoga group courses are open to those who identify as female, have an approved ACC ISSC claim, and are under the care of a registered therapist, counselor, or psychologist. If you wish to register for a course, please ask your lead provider to get in touch with us by clicking the button below.
EVIDENCE BASED TCTSY
Trauma Center Trauma Sensitive Yoga (TCTSY) is a clinically proven intervention designed for individuals grappling with complex trauma or enduring treatment-resistant post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). TCTSY is an evidence-based methodology that integrates trauma theory, attachment theory, and neuroscience with yoga philosophy and practice. Research studies into TCTSY have clearly demonstrated significant reductions in PTSD symptoms within 8 weeks. Our TSY facilitator, Jessica, has completed all three levels of TCTSY training.
This trauma-informed approach focuses not on achieving physical forms or specific yoga postures, but on fostering awareness and reconnection with physical sensations, a vital attribute for addressing complex trauma. TCTSY places the power with the individual rather than the facilitator, and all shapes and practices offered are invitational, making them optional at all times. By prioritizing interoception (the felt sense of the body) to guide decision-making, TCTSY enables participants to restore the connection between their mind and body and reclaim a sense of agency, which is often compromised by trauma.
Our trauma-sensitive yoga programs offer a gradual and manageable introduction to the practices while acknowledging potential discomfort that can arise when exploring body sensations. Each class provides participants with choices and maintains consistency and predictability to support a safe and transformative healing journey.
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Trauma Center Trauma Sensitive Yoga (TCTSY) isn't your usual yoga—it's a practical journey back to self. Grounded in trauma-sensitive principles, it's a space for participants to reconnect to themselves, learn to befriend their bodies, explore inner experiences, and tap into somatic resources for wellbeing. The program's focus on interoceptive capacity enhances awareness, personal agency, and reconnection.
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Potential outcomes of TCTSY:
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Reduced PTSD symptoms.
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Improved overall functioning.
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Better tolerance for physical and sensory experiences.
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Heightened emotional awareness.
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Improved emotional tolerance.
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Empowerment through mindful choicemaking.
COURSE DETAILS
Each course is 6-8 weeks in length and there are 2-3 courses offered every term. Our courses can be funded by ACC ISSC or self-funded. If you are interested in self funding please email Jessica on info@brighterlife.nz to discuss.
Each course includes 6-8 in-person sessions plus recordings of the sessions (in case you can't make it every week) and handouts.
Our TSY courses are offered in-person at the beautiful Yoga Within studios in Browns Bay, and are currently available to those who identify as female.
OUR TEAM
Our courses are offered by yoga specialist and TCTSY facilitator Jessica Dziwulska, and registered therapists Yoko Obata and Vic Hathaway.
Courses are limited to a maximum of 12 participants so that together we can create a secure and familiar space, and there are 2 facilitators present at all times to provide instruction and support.
PLEASE NOTE
This course is not a substitute for talk therapy with a registered counsellor, psychologist or psychotherapist. If you are working with a mental health care professional this course can be a helpful complimentary addition. If you are not working with a counsellor or therapist the course stands alone as a way to support your overall physical, mental and emotional wellbeing.
If you are a lead provider and have clients who you feel would benefit from this work, please click the button below to be taken to our ACC supplier’s expression of interest/registration page.
(If you do not have an ISSC claim with ACC you can self-fund the course if we have places available. To get in touch about this option please email Jessica info@brighterlife.nz).
"I have learnt so much in this course, it was just nice to be in a quiet, warm, friendly place and have an hour of calm in my week. I'm learning to take better care of myself and making that a priority."
HOW DOES IT WORK?
The benefits of trauma-sensitive yoga are profound, particularly for those who have experienced trauma or are dealing with conditions like post-traumatic stress disorder. This approach can aid in regulating your nervous system, reducing symptoms of anxiety and depression, and improving self-awareness.
Trauma-sensitive yoga provides a safe space to explore bodily sensations and emotions at your own pace, fostering a sense of empowerment and promoting a gradual restoration of trust and safety in your body. TSY is especially suitable for survivors of trauma, individuals experiencing chronic stress, and those seeking a gentler and more mindful approach to physical and emotional wellbeing.
Our Trauma Sensitive Yoga sessions are facilitated by Jessica Dziwulska. Jessica is a yoga specialist and TCTSY trained trauma-sensitive yoga facilitator.
Jessica is joined by registered therapists; Yoko Obata and Vic Hathaway who support clients throughout the triage and enrollment process and are available during each session as a support person.
Each session is 60 minutes long, followed by an optional 30 minute integration time. During this extra time, participants can enjoy a warm drink and a biscuit if they like while engaging in optional activities such as art or journaling. This post-class period is designed to foster a safe environment for social interaction and integration of the practices explored during the session.
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Our in-person courses are open to those who identify as female, while our online courses are open to all gender identifications. Clients will need to have an approved ACC ISSC claim to attend.
To more deeply support our participants to benefit from the course, we ask that you also be engaged in therapy with a counselor, therapist, or psychologist.
To register for a course, you can express your interest to your therapist, who can begin the registration process with you.
These group courses are suitable for participants dealing with mild to moderate mental health issues, including PTSD or complex trauma, but are not suitable for those with acute psychotic disorders.
Participants can use the provided materials (yoga mat, yoga blocks, blankets, and cushions) or bring their own if preferred. Wearing comfortable, movable clothing can be helpful.
Before the course begins, we will coordinate with each participant and the lead provider to address specific needs or safety concerns.
Although our team is available to chat during the integration section of each session, for a more comprehensive and supportive experience, you might consider having regular check-ins with your lead provider about your experience of TSY and anything that might arise for you during the sessions or afterward.
DATES FOR 2024:
Each course is 6-8 weeks in length and begins on the following dates:
Term One:
In-person Wednesdays 12:30-2pm from March 6th (6 weeks)
in-person Thursdays 12:30-2pm from March 7th (6 weeks)
Term Two:
In-person Wednesdays 12:30-2pm from May 15th (6 weeks)
NEW!! Online - Wednesdays 6:30-7:30pm from May 1st (8 weeks)
In-person - Thursdays 12:30-2pm from May 16th (6 weeks)
NEW!! Day Retreats in Auckland and Raglan TBC
Term 2: May 25 (Auckland) and June 15 (Raglan)
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Term Three:
In-person Wednesdays 12:30-2pm from July 24th (8 weeks)
Online - Wednesdays 6:30-7:30pm from July 24th (8 weeks)
In-person - Thursdays 12:30-2pm from July 25th (8 weeks)
Day Retreats in Auckland and Raglan TBC
Term 3: July 20 (Auckland) and September 7 (Raglan)
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Term Four:
In-person Wednesdays 12:30-2pm dates TBC
Online - Wednesdays 6:30-7:30pm dates TBC
In-person - Thursdays 12:30-2pm dates TBC
Day Retreats in Auckland and Raglan TBC
Term 4: November 9 (Auckland) and November 16 (Raglan)
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Potential benefits from this course include:
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A decrease in symptoms related to trauma and/or difficult life circumstances; including times of transition, grief, loss and uncertainty.
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Increased ability to understand, accept and move forward in life.
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Improved sleep, decreased pain, more awareness of emotional and mental states and the ability to use tools for self-support.
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Increased ability to function and undertake life tasks such as shopping, work, child care, home life and personal relationships.
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Overall improvement in feelings of ease, wellbeing and security.
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Increased feelings of personal power, inner resources and connection to self.
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Ability to make decisions in life that previously felt daunting and overwhelming and led to increased symptoms/coping mechanisms.
MEET OUR TEAM
JESSICA
Jessica will lead each of the TSY sessions. She has been practicing yoga for nearly 3 decades and has trained in Trauma Center Trauma Sensitive Yoga (TCTSY), Expressive Art Therapy, Somatic Movement Therapy, Dance Movement Therapy, and Restorative Movement Psychotherapy for survivors of trauma. She is currently working toward her Master of Dance Movement therapy and will be writing her thesis on body-based practices, resilience, and post-traumatic growth. Jessica is passionate about facilitating a personalised approach for each person in a way that is unique to their body, mind, history, and hopes.
VIC
Vic Hathaway is both a certified teacher and a registered therapist specialising in trauma-recovery. She is trained in DBT, ACT and aspects of EMDR and holds a Masters of Counselling from the University of Auckland. Vic works both online and from her private practice out in Muriwai Valley. As an ACC Sensitive Claims provider, Vic has found that traditional talk-therapy is both enhanced and enriched when combined with body-based interventions, such as yoga and somatic movement. There is plenty of evidence pointing to the fact that trauma is stored in the body, and it therefore makes sense that it also needs to be released from the body in order to heal and encourage post-traumatic growth. She is therefore thrilled to be co-facilitating with Jess in the Trauma Sensitive Yoga programme and excited to be part of your healing journey.
YOKO
Yoko is an ACC ISSC registered Clinical Arts Therapist. She is trained in Arts Therapy, Dance Movement Therapy, Somatic Therapy and EMDR. She has a Master's degree in Arts Therapy (Clinical) and a Bachelor's in Psychology. She holds the view that healing, recovery and growth are a creative process, and her experience with martial arts, Japanese Taiko drumming, substance abuse counseling and bodywork/Eastern Medicine also contributes to her trauma therapy work where she holds the space for clients to connect with themselves and to the natural intelligence of their body. She works both online and in person in Parnell Auckland, as well as assisting the TSY group in Browns Bay.
REGISTER
If you are interested or would like to know more please chat with Jessica on:
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Phone: 021 884 518
Email: info@brighterlife.nz
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Or using the form below