Yoga: A Practice of Skillful Action & Nervous System Regulation

In the Bhagavad Gita, it is written: “Yoga is a skill in action.” At the Life of Wellness Institute, we teach trauma-sensitive yoga—a practice rooted in neuroscience, functional anatomy, and social justice. Our approach to Yin, Vinyasa, and Restorative Yoga prioritizes:

  • Nervous system regulation over performative poses.

  • Adaptive breathwork for anxiety, PTSD, or chronic pain.

  • Inclusive cueing for 2SLGBTQI+ communities, wheelchair users, and marginalized populations.

We reject the idea that yoga “fixes” or “heals.” Instead, we focus on skill-building—equipping you with tools to navigate life’s challenges with agency and resilience.

The Science of Yoga: Evidence-Based Benefits

For the Nervous System:

  1. Reduces Anxiety & Stress: Regulate your stress response through breath-centered movement and repetition.

  2. Supports Trauma Recovery: Trauma-sensitive practices (no hands-on adjustments) help recalibrate the nervous system.

  3. Improves Focus: Techniques like dharana (concentration) build mental clarity without spiritual bypassing.

For the Body:

  1. Functional Flexibility: Adapt postures for chronic pain, hypermobility, or injury (e.g., chair yoga for seniors).

  2. Blood Pressure & Pain Management: Studies show yoga’s role in managing hypertension and neck pain.

  3. Accessible Movement: Designed for all bodies—including those with osteoporosis or limited mobility.

For Community:

  1. Fosters Connection: Mindfulness practices strengthen relationships through non-judgmental presence.

  2. Builds Resilience: Tools to navigate hardship without toxic positivity.

  3. Decolonizes Wellness: Critically examine yoga’s roots while serving marginalized communities ethically.

What Yoga Is Not

      ❌ A “cure” for mental health conditions.

      ❌ A spiritual bypass for systemic injustice.

      ❌ A one-size-fits-all practice.

What We Offer:

      ✅ Trauma-sensitive frameworks for teachers/therapists.

      ✅ Adaptive tools for neurodivergent, disabled, or chronically ill students.

      ✅ Social justice-aligned practices that honor yoga’s roots without appropriation.

Deepen Your Practice

Explore our 200-hour trauma-informed teacher training to:

  • Learn neuroscience-backed strategies for anxiety, PTSD, or chronic pain.

  • Design inclusive classes for recovery centers, shelters, or 2SLGBTQI+ spaces.

  • Pursue advanced certifications (e.g., Eat Breathe Thrive, Yoga 4 Cancer, Yoga of 12 Steps Recovery).

Read more about yoga