Trauma-Informed Movement 

Trauma-Informed Movement is an approach in which movement educators have an understanding of how trauma impacts the brain, nervous system, movement and overall whole body. The goal of the trauma-informed movement is NOT to diagnose or cure it. Instead, a targeted practice designed to assist movement educators to enhance the following for their students: rebuild body awareness, create choices for their own body, and what feels appropriate. 

The Three Pillars of Trauma-Informed Movement

 One: Attachment and Trauma

Understanding trauma is vital to create awareness and healing. Examining the correlation between trauma and attachment directly impacts relationships. Also, childhood adversity, brain development and culture impacts individuals from the very beginning.

Two: Health Risks related to Trauma 

Health risks associated with early childhood experiences/ trauma have a direct impact on adults. Many of the health risks impact the ability to breathe and move optimally. This pillar will develop an awareness of the risk factors and how they apply to movement. 

Three: Nervous System, Breathwork, Mindfulness, and Student Relationship

All of these topics go hand in hand to create an understanding of how the nervous system, breathwork, and mindfulness influence the relationship with the students and movement. 

Course Outcomes:

  • Cultivating an understanding of childhood adversity has an impact on adult learners. 

  • Understand how the brain, nervous system  ( Polyvagal Theory), and breath all work together. 

  • How trauma affects health risks later in life.

  • Enhance teaching techniques, safety, tone of voice, cueing, the environment, body language both of the student and the teacher, and movement. 

  • Create a deeper understanding of how trauma affects attachment, relationships, co-regulation, and self-regulation.

  • Develop an awareness of the importance of mindfulness and meditation to the physical body. 

  • Eight-week program for movement educators. Information about the content of the program is provided through a platform called Ruzuku. The material presented will be videos, reading material, and weekly discussion via Zoom. Approximately  2-4 hours per week