Trauma-Informed and Trauma-Responsive Yoga Teaching: A Universal Practice

by Catherine Cook-Cottone, Joanne Spence, Shirley Telles (Foreword by), Gail Parker (Foreword by)

Overview

This essential manual meets the increasing need for yoga teachers to be trauma-informed and trauma-responsive, and aware of how poses, breathwork, and meditation can impact the body. In detailing all aspects of trauma as it relates to yoga teaching, this guide lays a strong foundation in fostering trust and building authentic connections with students safely and confidently.

Yoga teachers will benefit from a number of yoga practices for self-regulation, self-determination, and agency, as well as guidance on polyvagal theory, communication, setting boundaries, and yoga teacher self-care. It also includes a de-escalation protocol for in-session trauma responses and how to cultivate a trauma-informed teaching environment.

Written by an internationally renowned author duo, this is a universal resource for yoga teachers looking to empower themselves and their clients from all demographics and in all settings.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781839978173
Publisher:	Jessica Kingsley Publishers
Publication date:	06/21/2024
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	304
File size:	4 MB

About the Author

Catherine Cook-Cottone, Ph.D., is a licensed psychologist, yoga therapist, and professor at University at Buffalo, SUNY. She has written 10+ books and over 100 research articles and chapters on mindful self-care, yoga, embodiment, self-regulation, eating disorders, and trauma. She is a trauma therapist and conducts trainings internationally on trauma-informed and responsive yoga. In 2018, she was awarded the American Psychological Association's Citizen Psychologist Presidential Citation. She lives in Amherst, NY.

Joanne Spence, D.Min, ERYT-500, C-IAYT is a certified yoga therapist and founder and director of Yoga in Schools. Joanne trains and teaches internationally in a range of settings, including teaching yoga in prisons, hospitals, schools, churches, and sometimes on street corners. She has more than thirty-five years of clinical experience as a mental health professional and twenty-plus years as a teacher and practitioner of yoga. She is the author of two books and book chapters. She lives in Pittsburgh, PA.

Catherine Cook-Cottone, Ph.D. is a Professor and Researcher at the University at Buffalo (SUNY), Licensed Psychologist, and Registered Yoga Teacher. She specializes in embodied self-regulation (i.e., yoga, mindfulness, and self-care) and psychosocial disorders (e.g., eating disorders and trauma). In this work, Catherine creates and researches trauma-informed mindfulness and yoga curricula delivered and studied in North America, East and Central Africa, Middle East, and Eastern Asia. She is founder and president of Yogis in Service, a not-for- profit that trains yoga teachers and creates access to trauma-informed yoga where there is no access, receiving the American Psychological Association's presidential citation for service for this work. She is co-author of the Mindful Self-Care Scale (MSCS) and Co-Editor in Chief of Eating Disorders: The Journal of Treatment and Prevention. Catherine has written eight books and over 75 peer reviewed articles and book chapters. Her books include, "Mindfulness and yoga for self-regulation: A primer for mental health professionals," and "Mindfulness and yoga in schools: a guide for teachers and practitioners."
Shirley Telles has a degree in conventional medicine (MBBS) and a MPhil and PhD in Neurophysiology. Both MPhil and PhD theses were on the effects of yoga practice. Dr. Telles received a Fulbright fellowship in 1998 and in 2001 an award from the Templeton Foundation for creative ideas in neurobiology. In 2007 she received an Indian Council of Medical Research Center for Advanced Research to study meditation's effects through autonomic variables, evoked and event related potentials, polysomnography and fMRI. Dr Telles has been the director of Patanjali Research Foundation, Haridwar, India; www.patanjaliresearchfoundation.com since 2007. Dr. Telles has over 198 research papers cited in bibliographic databases and authored 7 books. She is an enthusiastic practitioner of yoga.
Gail Parker, Ph.D. CIAYT, E-RYT 500 is an author, psychologist, educator, and certified yoga therapist. She serves as President of the Black Yoga Teachers Board of Directors (BYTA). She is the author of Restorative Yoga for Ethnic and Race-Based Stress and Trauma and Transforming Ethnic and Race-Based Traumatic Stress with Yoga.

Editorial Reviews

As a yoga teacher and teacher trainer, I am thrilled to finally have a cohesive, approachable, and practical resource to better equip myself and future teachers. As Cook-Cottone and Spence rightly acknowledge, trauma is both universal and deeply individual; learning how to guide others through a yoga practice from a trauma-informed and trauma-responsive lens is essential. This book adeptly balances science and application, empowering the reader to embody their own learning while developing a clear, compassionate and safe approach to leading others.

Caroline Williams E-RYT 200

When working with new yoga teachers, one of the most common questions that I receive is "how can I support a student who is feeling overwhelmed in class?" I am pleased to say that Catherine Cook-Cottone and Joanne Spence's new book has provided the much needed, extensive response to this important question. Research suggests that in our complex and modern world, approximately 90 percent of us will be exposed to at least one traumatic event in the course of our lifetime. Many people looking for support for trauma related symptoms of emotional overwhelm, anxiety, or somatic distress seek out yoga as a source of support. Even when not teaching a trauma-sensitive yoga class, you will have students in your class who have experienced traumatic events. It is imperative that all yoga teachers have the tools to help stabilize vulnerable students by helping them connect to valuable resources. Trauma-Informed and Trauma-Responsive Yoga Teaching will give you the confidence to handle these moments with skill and sensitivity while also helping you attend to your own nervous system along the way. Whether you are a yoga teacher, studio owner, or provide yoga teacher-trainings, this book is an essential addition to your library of resources.

Dr. Arielle Schwartz

Trauma-Informed and Trauma-Responsive Yoga Teaching is an essential book that will have a powerful impact on the field. It synthesizes the authors' considerable years of experience and research, and offers it to the community with clarity and compassion. Joanne and Catherine have an unwavering commitment to helping teachers create spaces where healing is possible and students are empowered. It's clear that this book will help many move towards those goals.

Jennifer Cohen Harper

This book is an incredibly comprehensive resource to support healing practitioners on their lifelong journey to adopting and integrating a trauma-informed lens into the scope of their work. A one of a kind roadmap, a deep exhale, and a profound gift to the field.

Zahabiyah Yamasaki M.Ed

This book empowers the reader with real, implementable ways to explore and create an attuned and safe space for yoga practice. Every aspect of teaching yoga is explored from the underlying intentions of the practices, structure of a class, practices, communication, cueing, and assisting. The authors' combined wisdom and thought-provoking prompts and reflections support an authentic expression and integration of these aspects of teaching and practicing yoga.

Marlysa Sullivan DPT

This book is a lasting resource guide for trauma-centered yoga.

Rolf E. Sovik

This book is a gift to anyone who cares deeply about sharing yoga with any population and an incredible resource for anyone wanting to offer these tools in their own training of instructors. Cook-Cottone and Spence's approach to sharing trauma-informed and trauma-responsive yoga is easy to digest and gives tangible tools to inspire and encourage any level of instructor to implement these practices. As a facilitator of both 200 and 300 hour yoga teacher trainings, I am thrilled to have this book as a part of our programs.

Liz Veyhl

In Trauma-Informed and Trauma-Responsive Yoga Teaching Catherine Cook-Cottone and Joanna Spence offer an invaluable resource for yoga teachers. This book elegantly bridges the gap between trauma theory and yoga practice, providing a comprehensive guide that is deeply informative and, most importantly, accessible. Their work equips instructors with the knowledge and tools to create healing spaces for practitioners. I believe this is an essential addition to the field of trauma-sensitive yoga.

R. Nikki Myers

Catherine Cook-Cottone and Joanne Spence have written a marvelously useful book for yoga teachers. In any given yoga class, students arrive at the mat with a wide array of visible and less visible mental and physical health conditions - battling an eating disorder, feeling ashamed of their bodies, in the throes of an addiction, living with past trauma, having an incarcerated family member, or being diagnosed with cancer. In addition to being easy and enjoyable to read, teachers spending time with Trauma-Informed and Trauma-Responsive Yoga Teaching will become wiser and better guides for their students.

Rob Schware

This book lays out clearly defined guidelines, principles, and practices to make us all more effective yoga teachers, but, more importantly, sets the stage for braver and more transformative yoga experiences for all students who step inside the studio. Whether you're a seasoned teacher or a fresh trainee, this book is a must-have.

Michele Lawrence MBA

Dr. Cook-Cottone and Joanne Spence have made a vital contribution to the yoga profession. Trauma-informed is such a buzz term, but few people agree on what it really means. Their approach is practical, informed by decades of research, and should be essential reading in all yoga teacher and yoga therapy trainings.

Chelsea Roff

As someone deeply immersed in supporting first responders to manage chronic stress and trauma, Trauma-Informed and Trauma-Responsive Yoga Teaching is a game-changer. It's a compassionate and transformative guide, offering practical yoga that resonates with first responders and anyone who has experienced trauma. Whether you're working with first responders or others facing chronic stress, this book is packed with fantastic tools.

Gina Rollo White

Catherine Cook-Cottone and Joanne Spence ask us to reimagine the yoga teaching landscape through a trauma-informed and responsive lens. Using ancient yoga philosophy, psychology and insightful discussion prompts, we are given tools to navigate yoga spaces more attuned to our students and better equipped to identify and respond to trauma triggers. This is a must-read for anyone currently teaching yoga and an essential text for modern-day yoga teacher trainings.

Steph Bertsch

In this meticulously crafted and insightful volume, the authors provide a comprehensive guide to effectively addressing the nuanced complexities of trauma that can manifest during the practice of yoga. Drawing upon a wealth of research, literature, and practical applications, this book seamlessly integrates the essential knowledge and practices required by yoga instructors and healthcare providers. With its attention to detail and lucid prose, this work is destined to become a seminal guide for generations of trauma-responsive care providers, offering invaluable wisdom for years to come.

Amy Wheeler

A rare offering of scholarship, wisdom, and practicality that moves us a giant step toward the full healing potential of yoga for our modern world. Every yoga teacher interested in personal and collective wellbeing should read it.

Edi Pasalis MBA

If you are a yoga professional or teach in a yoga teacher training program, this book is essential reading. I don't know how to offer the kind of praise this astonishing book deserves. The discussions, case studies and journal prompts support your personal growth as well as professional development. Far from formulaic, the authors explore the research, the philosophy, the communication, (yes, there's a short course on Nonviolent Communication within these pages!) and the practices essential for offering a supportive, non-threatening environment for the many of us who have experienced trauma. Their years of experience and training in yoga and mental health give Cook-Cottone and Spence the wisdom and compassion to help yoga professionals create "trauma-informed and responsive" space to support healing. I can't think of a better book to give you the competence and confidence to offer trauma-informed and responsive yoga. But don't take it from me. Please buy this book!

Amy Weintraub MFA

Occasionally, we get introduced to something that makes us question how we managed before. The new book, Trauma-Informed and Trauma-Responsive Yoga Teaching, is just that. In this groundbreaking guide, authors Cook-Cottone and Spence integrate their expert insights to equip yoga instructors with critical background knowledge and the skills needed to foster safe and empowering spaces for their students. This book belongs in the hands of every yoga teacher and yoga therapist, as well as at the top of the required reading list of every yoga teacher training. An invaluable contribution!

Lisa Flynn E-RYT 500

Trauma-Informed and Trauma-Responsive Yoga Teaching makes the sensitive and seemingly complex topic of being a 'trauma-informed' yoga teacher feel like something any yoga professional can accomplish. The yoga world has been waiting for a resource to support not only our students but one that reminds us to support and regulate ourselves first. How we show up as yoga professionals matters, and Cook-Cottone & Spence's book gives us both the specific steps and big-picture knowledge to become better and more nurturing trauma-informed and responsive yoga teachers. A must-read for any yoga teacher training program.

Rebecca Sebastian C-IAYT

Trauma-Informed and Trauma-Responsive Yoga Teaching: A Universal Practice is a celebration of the remarkable progress the professions of yoga teaching and yoga therapy have made in a relatively short period of time. The text is a beacon of non-harming (ahimsa), the root of all yoga. Smartly organised, clearly written while presenting best evidence, and approachable for all levels of experience. This book is destined to be a foundational reference for teacher trainings and professional development courses.

Matthew J. Taylor PT

Yoga teachers have become a new type of first-responder as witnesses to their students' complex humanity. The yoga classroom tends to be a reliable space for many bodies to move through their feelings as they tune into their body. Trauma informed and trauma responsive education supports teachers to grow their inner resources while crafting a stable environment for their students' inner lives. Joanne and Catherine provide evidence, anecdote, practices and much heart for yoga teachers of every discipline to build internal connection that enriches their teaching community.

Jill Miller C-IAYT