Origin

 

Developed by the Center for Trauma and Embodiment at Justice Resource Institute in Brookline, Massachusetts, TCTSY is an empirically validated, clinical intervention for complex trauma or chronic, treatment-resistant post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). It has been qualified for inclusion in the National Registry of Evidence-based Programs and Practices (NREPP) database published by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA).

 

In addition to yoga, TCTSY has foundations in Trauma Theory, Attachment Theory, and Neuroscience. 

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Approach

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TCTSY incorporates elements of hatha yoga, where participants are invited to engage in a series of physical forms and movements. Unlike many public yoga classes, TCTSY does not use physical hands-on adjustments to influence a participant's physical form. Rather, TCTSY presents opportunities for participants to be in charge of themselves based on exploring a felt sense of their own body.

 

Although TCTSY employs physical forms and movements, the emphasis is not on the external expression or appearance (i.e. doing it"right"), or receiving the approval of an external authority. Rather, the focus is on the internal experience of the participant. By focusing on the felt sense of the body to inform choice-making, TCTSY allows participants to restore their connection of mind and body and cultivate a sense of agency that is often compromised as a result of trauma. 

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TCTSY Pillars​

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• Invitational language​

• Choice making

• Non-coercion

• Interoception

• Shared authentic experience

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Source taken and modified from www.traumasensitiveyoga.com

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