By Bronwen Firth Esther van der Sande is a somatic neuro-psychotherapist (MA), yoga and trauma therapist, TCTSY-facilitator, and a faculty member at the Centre for Trauma and Embodiment at JRI Boston and trainer & supervisor of the Certification Program of TCTSY. As a faculty member of the Yoga Therapy Institute, Esther teaches the ‘Trauma-Informed [...]
The leaves are falling, colors turning and the weather’s about to change. And along with everything else that Autumn brings, your body will change too. Here’s how, and what you can do about it. More dry skin than usual Your skin might react to the changing of seasons, every time, and in Autumn the [...]
By Aine Doris | June 23, 2021 A study led by Emory University’s Ursula Kelly finds trauma-sensitive yoga programs just as effective, faster to work, and easier to complete than cognitive therapy. Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a sizeable issue in the United States military, affecting approximately 20 percent of all Veterans. Among women, [...]
“Let this just not be another trend” Nesrine Malik is stating the importance of acknowledging actions outside of the courtroom that delivered some accountability of George Floyd’s death. Let’s all continue this work. On and off the mat: “The arc of the moral universe does not bend on its own. It is bent in [...]
To the so many white people who practise yoga, please don’t stop, but please do take a moment to look outside of yourself and understand how the history of yoga practice in the United States is intimately linked to some of the larger forces of white supremacy. The origins of yoga can be traced [...]
by Sophia Hengelbrok Esther van der Sande is the director of Trauma-Sensitive Yoga Nederland, somatic psychotherapist, EMDR clinician and a qualified yoga (500+ hrs), mindfulness teacher and practitioner. She guides her clients through their challenges, enabling them to emerge from the other side feeling renewed, strong, and ready to face the world on their own terms once again. [...]
When we speak about the importance of self-care, we think about how it might calm us down or how it teaches you to perhaps learn to know where your boundaries and tolerances lie. Or maybe you think about taking a bath, meditating and putting on a face-mask. One way or another, we are perhaps [...]
Increasing and Decreasing the Intensity in Muscles When you experience unsafe environments and feelings of anxiety, it is possible that your muscles feel tense. Your body might be responding to your environments by tightening up more. During the practice of Trauma-Sensitive Yoga, it is a possibility that you may experience your muscles.
There are two different approaches to trauma-based yoga: trauma-sensitive yoga and trauma-informed yoga. Oftentimes, trauma-sensitive yoga refers to a specific program known as Trauma Center Trauma-Sensitive Yoga (TCTSY)
We believe that the practice of Trauma-Sensitive Yoga (TSY) must become available to anyone that might need it, regardless of race, class, gender identity, sexual orientation, financial and physical ability.