Yoga as Trauma Informed Practice, Part 1

Engaging our own breath and body with self-compassion, mindful awareness, and gentle techniques, we’ll explore simple yoga asanas (postures) that can be used when we’re feeling weary, stressed or a bit overwhelmed. We will practice poses to cool, restore, awaken, and revitalize our energy. With respect to our unique physical conditions and capacities, we’ll learn a simple sequence to bring greater ease, awareness and stamina to our bodies and minds. Such practice will aid us in creating sustainable practices for self and community care. We are individually and collectively living in this ever changing world and building community together as a Coalition! Sharing effective practices with each other heightens our knowledge and resilience. This give us more time and space to practice being our best, truest selves during these times of uncertainty. You are invited to resist the urge to tough it out alone and come learn simple self-care techniques that are grounded in ancient practices. Our breath and bodily autonomy are our birthrights. Come celebrate your amazing Self and come away with resources for further exploration.

Chrys Ballerano has practiced yoga since the 80s and received her 200 hour Yoga teacher training from Karuna Yoga in 2009. She teaches two weekly classes through Pinnacle Behavioral Health via Zoom since Covid-19, following nearly three years of teaching at their Albany location. As NYSCASA’s Sr. Director of Collaboration and Training, Chrys continues to direct the Building Connections: Sexual Assault and Mental Health Project which she has co-led since 1999. As a rape and ACEs survivor, Chrys has found yoga to be one of the most healing tools to help sustain her NYSCASA work; helping others heal from trauma, providing resources and training on trauma informed care to providers, and offering statewide advocacy on behalf of survivors.