Group Yoga in Therapeutic Services

I have worked extensively alongside people with lived experiences of adversity. I currently facilitate trauma-informed yoga groups for people seeking refugee and asylum status at the Helen Bamber Foundation. I am committed to contributing to services that respond with genuine care to individuals with complex histories or experiences of systemic marginalisation. I believe everyone has the right to access restorative spaces, and the tools to enable self-care and reconnection with the body.

Through this work, I have witnessed the transformative potential of yoga for individuals navigating uncertain and restrictive conditions. Forced separation from one’s home and family is a distressing psychological experience, particularly when compounded by experiences of trafficking, torture, or other forms of violence. The provision of environments that are predictable and emotionally supportive can facilitate recovery and contribute to pathways out of ongoing harm.

APPROACH TO GROUP YOGA

I guide a similar structure each week so participants can become familiar with the practices and continue using them outside of sessions. Adjustments are made as needed in response to the energy levels and needs of the group. Throughout sessions, I offer gentle guidance and limit prolonged silence to reduce the risk of overwhelm or feeling observed.

I use trauma-sensitive language, avoiding triggering references (including travel, children, families, or direct references to sensitive body parts). Participants are not encouraged to close their eyes or push their bodies. The emphasis is on de-stressing and respecting individual boundaries. All practices are offered as invitations, with no physical touch to ensure participants retain full autonomy over their bodies.

GROUP SESSION STRUCTURE

Breathwork - deep breathing to settle the nervous system and regulate the threat response; supporting grounding and arrival

Meditative Awareness - guided attention to physical sensations (e.g. contact with the floor) to anchor awareness in the present moment

Warm-Up - chair-based joint-freeing movements from head to toe; supporting circulation, body awareness, and accessibility

Postures - grounding postures (e.g. mountain, warrior) and balancing postures to explore internal stability and interrupt ruminative thinking

Self-Massage / Tapping / Seated Stretching - encourages lymphatic flow, fascial release, and the softening of held tension

Relaxation - adapted relaxation using bolsters, cushions, blankets, and ambient music (many participants find this deeply restorative and some fall asleep; particularly meaningful given the prevalence of sleep disturbance in PTSD)

RESOURCES

Group size - up to 8 participants

Equipment - yoga mats, blocks, blankets, cushions, and a chair per participant

Space - a quiet room with the option for dimmed lighting

Please feel free to get in touch if there are opportunities for yoga groups or individual yoga therapy sessions within your client services. I am certified by the British Council for Yoga Therapy (BCYT) and align my work with the ethical standards of the National Council of Integrative Psychotherapists (NCIP) and the Yoga Therapy Association.