Yoga on the Inside

Making yoga practice ACCESSIBLE to EVERYONE

THRIVING not SURVIVING

Our Purpose….

At Yoga on the Inside we want people to THRIVE not just SURVIVE, as well-rounded members of our communities by providing ACCESS and opportunities to trauma-informed yoga and embodied mindfulness tools and practices.

The research tells us that these practices support individuals to :-

  • better connect with themselves and others - IMPROVE relationships

  • manage stress and anxiety, including emotional regulation

  • reduce impulsive behaviours

  • see a reduction of symptoms of trauma, including dissociation and other mal-adaptive coping strategies

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Our impact at a glance

6 years of service

19 partner organisations

2200+ classes

3000+ participants

What we do….

Yoga on the Inside provides individual or group classes to people who are experiencing (or have experienced) trauma or symptoms of trauma.

Through the practice of yoga and embodied-mindfulness, we invite people into this practice so that they can begin to develop a toolset of skills and techniques that they can draw upon on a day to day basis and more so, especially in times when life is uncertain, tense, or in turmoil.

A trauma-informed approach practice involves breath awareness, meditation, and body movement integrated with breath via asana or poses.

Our MISSION is to make yoga a practice that is accessible to ALL members of the community, in particular those who are on the fringes or marginalised.

The benefits of this practices creates a RIPPLE effect which benefits the WHOLE community. 

Our Approach….

The yoga instruction provided by Yoga on the Inside is a ‘trauma informed’ style and approach to teaching which considers that the participants in our presence are highly likely to have experienced some form of trauma in their lives and hence this approach to teaching is one which has their physical, emotional and psychological state in mind at all times.  

The facilitators at Yoga on the Inside have undertaken specialised ‘trauma informed’ training to enable them to incorporate the skills and strategies required to guide ALL clients (whether or not they suffer from trauma related symptoms or issues). The classes provided by Yoga on the Inside instructors cater to all students from beginners to advanced students.

What is a trauma-informed approach to instructing a yoga class?

A trauma informed approached to guiding a yoga class assumes that all of your students are survivors of trauma, as we have no way of identifying students who are trauma survivors.

Five Core Domains of trauma-sensitive yoga as developed by Dave Emerson in 2002 include :-

  • Environment - Space is welcoming, safe, comfortable for vulnerable students

  • Physical - Internal sensations important, for feelings of safety, self-acceptance

  • Assist - Allow space between teacher and pupil (refrain from physical touch)

  • Teacher qualities - Gentle, students stay in control

  • Language - Non-directive instructions

The Omega Institute describes that “trauma-informed yoga is based on a particular understanding of trauma, one that emphasizes its impact on the entire mind-body system, as opposed to particular mental states (e.g., troubling memories) viewed in isolation from the physical body. “Trauma,” Bessel van der Kolk explains, “is not just an event that took place sometime in the past; it is also the imprint left by that experience on mind, brain, and body.”

Our Services

Testimonials

  • " It has been a great program to have in a prison setting , the benefits have helped the women with emotional distress and improved their behaviour impulse control During the class’s I have seen the women experience peace and relaxation always leaving the class refreshed and positive !"

    Townsville Women's Correctional Centre

  • My person was very excited about the Yoga program, when it was initially proposed. I recall at the time, he was presenting as quite ‘flat’ in mood. Then, while anticipating the start of the classes, I saw a shift in this. Now, since he has been engaging in the Yoga classes, I have noticed an improvement in his over-all mental state.

    Planning and Reintegration Officer - Tasmania Prison Service

  • " It has been a great program to have in a prison setting , the benefits have helped the women with emotional distress and improved their behaviour impulse control. During the class’s I have seen the women experience peace and relaxation always leaving the class refreshed and positive !"

    Townsville Women's Correctional Centre

  • My person was very excited about the Yoga program, when it was initially proposed. I recall at the time, he was presenting as quite ‘flat’ in mood. Then, while anticipating the start of the classes, I saw a shift in this. Now, since he has been engaging in the Yoga classes, I have noticed an improvement in his over-all mental state.

    Planning and Reintegration Officer - Tasmania Prison Service

Read more testimonials