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ACC SCS Funded Online & In-Person Weekly Trauma Sensitive Yoga Groups & Day Retreats
We are pleased to offer weekly group therapy courses, both online and in-person, along with day retreats - all of which are fully funded by ACC Sensitive Claims Services.
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Read on for more information about the evidence base for our work, our current dates, locations and team members.
Trauma Centre Trauma-Sensitive Yoga (TCTSY) is a specialised approach that recognises 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 emphasises 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 symptoms related to post-traumatic stress disorder, or complex-PTSD. 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. Clients will need to have an approved ACC SCS claim, and be 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.
DATES FOR 2025:
Each weekly course is 8 weeks in length, and each day retreat is 6 hours in length. All groups are age 18+: ​​
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Term FOUR:
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Term 4 Weekly Groups - In-Person Options (Jessica Dziwulska and Amy Benjamin)​
In-Person - Tuesdays from October 14
GROUP 1: 10:45am - 12:15pm (WOMEN ONLY) - 8 weeks
GROUP 2: 1pm - 2:30pm (LGBQT+ All Genders) - 8 weeks
Yoga Ground, Grey Lynn, Auckland
In-Person - from October 16
Thursdays 12-1:30pm WOMEN ONLY - 8 weeks
Rothesay Bay Hall, Auckland
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Term 4 Online Options (Jessica Dziwulska and Vic Hathaway OR Amy Benjamin)
Online - Mondays 9:30 -10:30am from October 13 - All Genders - 8 weeks
Online - Wednesdays 6:45-7:45pm from October 15 - All Genders - 8 weeks
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Term 4 Day Retreats - TOOLS FOR TRANSFORMING TRAUMA
(Jessica Dziwulska and Amy Benjamin)
Saturday November 1 and/or Saturday November 22 - Women Only
10:30am-4:30pm
Rothesay Bay, Auckland
Each day retreat is a stand-alone experience; clients can attend more than one per term if desired.
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For more info, email Jessica on info@brighterlife.nz
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DATES FOR 2026:
Each weekly course is 8 weeks in length, and each day retreat is 6 hours in length. All groups are age 18+:
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Term ONE 2026:
* PLEASE NOTE: groups can only go ahead if there are enough registrations to meet the ACC requirement for funding.
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Term 1 Weekly Groups - In-Person Options (Jessica Dziwulska and Amy Benjamin)​
In-Person - Tuesdays from February 3rd
GROUP 1: 10:45am - 12:15pm (WOMEN ONLY)- 7 weeks
GROUP 2: 12:45pm - 2:15pm (LGBQT+ All Genders)- 7 weeks
Yoga Ground, Grey Lynn, Auckland
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In-Person - from February 5th
Thursdays 11am - 12:30pm (WOMEN ONLY) - 8 weeks
Rothesay Bay Hall, Auckland
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Term 1 Online Options (Jessica Dziwulska and Amy Benjamin)
Online - Mondays 10-11am from February 2nd - All Genders - 7 weeks
Online - Wednesdays 6:45-7:45pm from February 4th - All Genders - 8 weeks
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Term 1 Day Retreats - TOOLS FOR TRANSFORMING TRAUMA
(Jessica Dziwulska and Amy Benjamin)
Saturday, February 21st- Rothesay Bay, Auckland - 10:30am-4:30pm- Women Only
Saturday, March 28th - Whangarei - 11am-5pm- Women Only
Saturday, April 18th - Rothesay Bay, Auckland - 10:30am-4:30pm- Women Only
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Each day retreat is a stand-alone experience; clients can attend more than one per term if desired. Some content may be repeated.
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For more info, email Jessica on info@brighterlife.nz
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Term TWO 2026:
* PLEASE NOTE: groups can only go ahead if there are enough registrations to meet the ACC requirement for funding.
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Term 4 Weekly Groups - In-Person Options (Jessica Dziwulska and Amy Benjamin)​
In-Person - Tuesdays from April 28th
GROUP 1: 10:45am - 12:15pm (WOMEN ONLY)- 8 weeks
GROUP 2: 12:45pm - 2:15pm (LGBQT+ All Genders)- 8 weeks
Yoga Ground, Grey Lynn, Auckland
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In-Person - Thursdays from April 30th
Thursdays 11am - 12:30pm (WOMEN ONLY) - 8 weeks
Rothesay Bay Hall, Auckland
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Term 4 Online Options (Jessica Dziwulska and Amy Benjamin)
Online - Mondays 10-11am from April 27 - All Genders - 8 weeks
Online - Wednesdays 6:45-7:45pm from April 29 - All Genders - 8 weeks
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Term 4 Day Retreats - TOOLS FOR TRANSFORMING TRAUMA
(Jessica Dziwulska and Amy Benjamin)
Saturday, May 2nd- Rothesay Bay, Auckland - 10:30am-4:30pm- Women Only
Saturday, May 30th- Location TBC - 10:30am-4:30pm- Women Only
Saturday, June 13th - Rothesay Bay, Auckland - 10:30am-4:30pm- Women Only
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Each day retreat is a stand-alone experience; clients can attend more than one per term if desired. Some content may be repeated.
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For more info, email Jessica on info@brighterlife.nz
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 evidence-based and integrates trauma theory, attachment theory, and neuroscience with yoga philosophy and practice. Research studies into TCTSY have clearly demonstrated reductions in PTSD symptoms within 8 weeks. Our TSY facilitator, Jessica, has completed all three levels of TCTSY training.
Our 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 trauma symptomology. 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 prioritising 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 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 a range of 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, our groups offer a space for participants to reconnect with themselves, learn to befriend their bodies, explore inner experiences, and tap into somatic resources for wellbeing.
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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.
TOOLS FOR TRANSFORMING TRAUMA - OUR ACC ISSC FUNDED DAY RETREATS
Alongside our weekly online or in-person groups, we also offer our Tools For Transforming Trauma fully funded ACC SCS day retreats. These retreats invite individuals living with the aftermath of trauma to embark on a journey of healing, empowerment, and self-discovery. Drawing from Trauma-Sensitive Yoga and Creative Arts Therapy, along with mindfulness-based psycho-education, and Ecotherapy, clients come away with tangible and sustainable tools for an enduring recovery that can be integrated into daily life in helpful and practical ways.
What to expect at one of our
retreats...
Our intention is for our day retreats to be enjoyable, relaxing, and practical. We've drawn from trauma theory, counseling, and neuroscience to address the impacts of trauma, which touches every facet of a survivor’s existence—physically, mentally, emotionally, and relationally. At the heart of our approach lies a commitment to trauma-informed principles, fostering an environment of safety, trust, and empowerment. Our facilitators are trained in an array of modalities, including TCTSY, Expressive Arts Therapy, Somatic Therapy, Counseling, DBT, ACT, and Ecotherapy. We use these modalities and techniques to create experiences that honor the individuality of each participant, recognising and embracing your unique journey.
Through nurturing practices, resilience-building, nervous system regulation, and cultivating self-compassion, our day retreats support you to connect to your body in reparative ways. We'll explore mindful movement, safe social connection, and support for developing healthy coping strategies. You'll come away from the day with a range of practices you can take into your daily life as you continue on your healing journey.
We believe every person deserves access to holistic, integrated, and empowering avenues for trauma recovery; our program serves as a beacon of hope and offers a compassionate, evidence-based roadmap toward integration and healing.
COURSE DETAILS
Each TSY course is 8 weeks in length and there are several in-person and online groups offered each term. We also offer 2-4 day retreats each term. Our courses are fully funded by ACC SCS.
Each weekly TSY group includes 8 in-person or online sessions plus recordings of the sessions (in case you can't make it every week).
Our in-person TSY groups and day retreats are offered in beautiful locations around Auckland, with some groups being female only, and some, mixed-gender and/or LGBQT+. Our online TSY courses are open to all gender identifications.
OUR TEAM
Our courses are offered by yoga specialist and TCTSY facilitator Jessica Dziwulska, and registered therapists Amy Benjamin and Vic Hathaway.
There are always 2 facilitators present in every group, to provide instruction and support.
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For more information on each member of our team, please scroll down to 'Meet Our Team'.
PLEASE NOTE
This course is not a substitute for talk therapy with a registered counselor, psychologist, or psychotherapist, and is not suitable for those with severe mental health diagnoses. If you are working with a mental health care professional, this course can be a helpful complimentary addition. In order to receive ACC SCS funding for this course, you need to be referred by your therapist, psychologist or counselor.
If you are a lead provider and have clients who you feel would benefit from this work, please visit my ACC Supplier's website for info on the registration process here: The Nelson Clinic or, email me (Jessica) at: info@brighterlife.nz
MEET OUR TEAM
JESSICA
Jessica leads our 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 is writing her thesis on body-based/somatic approaches to working with trauma, PTSD and Complex PTSD. Jess has been working with trauma survivors for the past 7 years, both 1:1 and in group settings. She is passionate about creating and facilitating in trauma-informed spaces where diversity, choice, and agency are held in the highest esteem.
AMY
Amy Benjamin is an NZAC registered holistic counsellor and a Sensitive Claims provider, offering online and in-person sessions.
She blends relational counselling ('talk therapy') with body-centred practices like mindfulness, breathwork, and gentle movement to help clients build self-awareness and regulate their nervous system. A unique aspect of her practice is ecotherapy, where stepping outside and connecting with the intrinsic healing power of nature can significantly enhance the therapeutic process.
Amy looks forward to walking alongside you on your path to recovery, growth, and empowerment.
VIC
Vic is an experienced ACC accredited therapist with a Masters of Counselling from the University of Auckland.
She is trained in Dialectical Behavioural Therapy and ACT therapy. Alongside her private practice, she also works for Hospice NZ as a palliative care and bereavement counsellor. Vic has been working in the TSY space for the past 2 years and looks forward to continuing to support clients as they explore a body-based approach to healing.
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