“Every time there is a trauma, it is about something that got lost along the way”            – Janine D’Anniballe, PhD

Grief is unique for each person and can be related to many types of loss. The purpose of Grief & Loss Yoga is to provide an emotionally safe, meditative space for reflecting, thinking, and feeling about various types of grief. This class is structured like a typical 75 minute yoga session complete with warm-ups, postures, and savasana. Since clinical therapists often encourage clients to supplement individual therapy sessions with support groups; this class can be suggested as an avenue to increase positive social supports.

Yoga naturally encompasses many of the positive healthy coping strategies that clinical counselors routinely suggest for various types of stress in the areas of: physical/lifestyle, emotional, cognitive, and philosophical/spiritual. These healthy coping strategies include self-compassion, staying physically healthy, identifying a safe support network, meaning-making, and focusing on non-judgment of thoughts and feelings.

Yoga also helps clients learn to practice healthy coping skills and incorporate these into a daily routine which promotes healing and wellness. The following is a list of some basic healthy coping skills: abdominal breathing, relaxation, exercise, downtime, social relatedness, self-nurturing, emotional release, constructive thinking, acceptance, tolerance for ambiguity, sense of perspective, consistent goals to work towards, positive philosophy of life, and a religious/spiritual commitment. A weekly, or even monthly, yoga practice can help clients integrate these skills into daily living.

For first time participants, a 15-minute orientation beforehand will introduce you to general guidelines to help you feel comfortable and knowledgeable. Variations of poses are offered to welcome different ages and abilities.

NPR Affiliate “On Being” Episode with Dr. Bessel van der Kolk, M.D. on Restoring the Body: Yoga, EMDR, and Treating Trauma |  http://www.onbeing.org/program/restoring-the-body-bessel-van-der-kolk-on-yoga-emdr-and-treating-trauma/5801