Trauma Sensitive Yoga with Kanuka Yoga Space

We will be offering Trauma Sensitive Yoga classes online with South Coast Psychology. and in-studio with Grief Centre (Auckland-based). We're excited for these partnerships that allow us to share this offering locally and nation-wide.

Trauma Sensitive Yoga

8 Week course, 2025

April 22 - June 10

Tuesdays 10am (in-studio)

with Raquel Minh & Asrita Singh

Tuesdays 12-1pm (online)

with Raquel Minh & Anna McVeigh

2025 course dates:

July 22 - September 9

• Online Tuesdays or Wednesdays at 12pm

• Online Thursdays at 7pm

• In-studio Tuesday at 10am

October 14 - December 9

To be eligible for this course participants must identify as a woman who has an accepted ACC claim under the sensitive claims contract.

All potential participants must be currently working with a Lead Provider and be willing to have a 15-20 min video consultation (Google Meet) to assess suitability and address any questions. Attendees are also asked to complete a survey which allows ACC to determine the effectiveness of our programme.

How to Request Approval from ACC for Online classes?

Lead Provider - Submit Client Intake Form for South Coast Psychology

Step 1: Lead provider please fill out intake form to reserve your client's space for ONLINE classes with South Coast Psychology.

Once submitted, we will reach out to your client to schedule a short 10-15min onboarding call to address questions and determine final suitability.

Step 2: Request approval of hours for your client with ACC

ACC: 10 x SCSGT (Trauma Sensitive Yoga) + 1 x SCSGTT (Group Triage)

Supplier: South Coast Psychology

Vendor ID: GO9884

Provider ID: TIYRCN (Raquel Chavez-Nguyen)

How to Request Approval from ACC for Studio classes?

Lead Provider - Submit Client Intake Form for Grief Centre

Step 1: Lead provider please fill out intake form to reserve your client's space for STUDIO classes with Grief Centre. Classes will be held at Kanuka Yoga Space in Hobsonville.

Once submitted, we will reach out to the lead provider to gather complete details of client to determine suitability. Once aligned, Asrita will schedule a short 10-15min onboarding call with client to address questions.

Step 2: Request approval of hours for your client with ACC

ACC: 10 x SCGW (Trauma Sensitive Yoga) + 1 x SCGT2 (Group Triage)

Supplier: Grief Centre

Vendor ID: ID: G0E389

Provider ID: TIYRCN (Raquel Chavez-Nguyen)

What is Trauma Sensitive Yoga?

Trauma Sensitive Yoga has been established as an adjunctive treatment for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). It is a treatment option underpinned by current Neuroscience, Post Traumatic Growth Theory, and Attachment Theory. Trauma Sensitive Yoga is non-invasive, and safety and choice are paramount in its delivery. Trauma Sensitive Yoga targets and develops self- inquiry, affect and sensory modulation and impulse arousal control, self- regulation, and sensory awareness. TSY shows a significant reduction in PTSD.

TSY works with the emotional and physical imprints left on the body after the trauma —the body’s automatic response to protect itself. This response, often referred to as our fight, flight, submit or freeze reaction, is activated by the sympathetic nervous system. Trauma survivors often experience this sympathetic nervous system response as a chronic state long after the trauma is past, which is a hallmark of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).

Who benefits from practicing Trauma Sensitive Yoga?

Trauma Sensitive Yoga is established as an adjunct treatment for PTSD and is approved under ACC Sensitive Claims.

Trauma Sensitive Yoga empowers the participants to develop and improve:

• Self-regulation skills by noticing bodily sensations signalling emotions

• Increased mindfulness skills and ability to stay in the present moment

• Awareness of their body (both internally and moving in space)

• Relationship and connection to their body

• Breath awareness to support working with states of hyperarousal, stress and anxiety

• Relaxation and self-soothing skills

• Increased sense of mastery and control by provision of choices

Who are your facilitators?

Each program will run for eight consecutive weeks with two facilitators. Each group will have one lead facilitator (yoga teacher) and one co-facilitator (counsellor).

Studio owner and teacher, Raquel Minh, has a degree in Psychology (2009), and completed her 200 hour Trauma-informed Yoga Teacher Training with Raw Yoga (2020), 60HR Trauma-Informed & Community Yoga with Rise (2021), and 300 hour Trauma-Informed Facilitator Training with SomaPsych (2024).

Lead Provider, Asrita Singh – received her degree in Psychology and Applied Mental Health (2012), has a Postgraduate Degree in Addiction Studies (2019) and a Postgraduate Degree in Violence and Trauma Studies (2022). Asrita completed a Certificate in Group Facilitation and Programme Development with AUT (2010) with 15 years of group facilitation experience. 

 Asrita holds a full Registration with DAPAANZ as a Registered Counsellor, Registered ACC Sensitive Claims Counsellor including a provider for Group Based and 1-2-1 Yoga Therapy with Grief Centre. Asrita has accumulated 15 years experience specialising in the area of trauma. Asrita has completed a 1200 hour Diploma of Yoga Teacher Training with Wellpark College (2012), 18HR Yoga for Healing Trauma Teacher Training (2018). 

Lead Provider, Anna McVeigh – NZAC full member, ACC registered counsellor with South Coast Psychology with 4 years’ experience with ACC and 15 years’ experience as a counsellor. 100 hours yoga training at Purapura Whetu in Auckland. 20 years’ experience in group facilitation. Online trauma yoga training.

If we could create a short summary, the intention is to create a safe environment for clients to regulate their own nervous system through movement and cultivating awareness. We are here as guides, to provide you with options and to encourage you to feel empowered to make your own choices.

For more information on the benefits of trauma-sensitive yoga, please check out The Trauma Center for Trauma Sensitive Yoga.

It's important to note that TSY can be a complex subject, so we understand if things don't make perfect sense straight away and we're always happy to answer questions you might have about it.

Here are some ways we approach Trauma Sensitive Yoga at Kanuka Yoga:

• Understanding the fundamental nature of Trauma and how this can affect the human experience.

• Learning personal practices to build resilience and safety for our selves and our clients.

• Understanding Trauma Sensitive Yoga through the nervous system, polyvagal theory and the window of tolerance.

• Learn how Yoga tools and philosophy can support trauma.

• Understand teaching from a Trauma Sensitive perspective with a focus on safety, language, dosage, atmosphere, interoception, connection and empowerment.

• Learn short practices, including movement, breathing techniques and meditation/mindfulness techniques from a trauma sensitive perspective for working with students/clients.

Kindly,

Kanuka Yoga Space