Namaste, Reader!

I’m so excited to have new subscribers joining us from the Kids Yoga community, as well as those of you passionate about trauma-informed teaching! Last week, we dove into the importance of creating safe spaces in the yoga classroom. This week, we’ll be exploring the first principle of trauma-informed yoga teaching: offering clear context and framing, and how this aligns beautifully with the yogic philosophy of ahimsa (non-violence).

Offering Clear Context & Framing in Yoga

When we offer clear context and framing in our yoga classes, we help students of all ages, abilities, and experiences feel oriented and regulated. In trauma-informed yoga, this practice is essential for creating a safe and non-violent space, aligning with ahimsa. By providing context, we reduce uncertainty and empower our students, which is an act of compassion and kindness.

This principle isn’t just for adults—it’s highly inclusive of children and teens as well. In Kids Yoga, for example, offering clear instructions and structure helps children feel safe and fosters a learning environment where they can fully express themselves without fear. The same goes for adults of all abilities—clarity leads to more openness and ease in the practice.

How to Integrate Ahimsa with Context & Framing

By weaving ahimsa into the way we teach, we can ensure that our classes are grounded in care and non-harm. When students know what to expect, they are less likely to feel stressed or unsure, allowing them to focus on their breath, movement, and healing. This approach benefits everyone, whether they are young children, seniors, or anyone in between.

Quick Orienting Practice: 3 Deep Breaths

To help you put this into practice, I invite you to try this simple orienting practice in your next class or personal practice. It’s something you can integrate right away:

1. Sit comfortably, close your eyes or soften your gaze.
2. Take a deep breath in through your nose, feeling your belly rise.
3. Exhale fully through your mouth, letting go of any tension.
4. Repeat this 3 times, tuning into the rhythm of your breath.

This simple yet powerful practice can help you—and your students—feel more grounded and present, no matter what’s happening around you.

Looking Ahead

Next week, we’ll explore how clear communication fosters connection and trust in the yoga space. Until then, I encourage you to integrate the principle of context and framing into your teaching and practice, and see how it shifts the energy of the space.

Thank you for being here, and I can’t wait to hear how you use these tools to create safer, more inclusive classes!

From My Heart 2 Yours,
Taylor Lee Hitaffer, RYT-500, CYMC
Heart2Brain Yoga

P.S. If you haven’t already downloaded the FREE Trauma-Informed Yoga Teaching Checklist, you can grab your REVISED copy HERE! This resource will help guide you in integrating trauma-informed principles into your teaching.

P.P.S. Follow Heart2Brain Yoga on Instagram and Facebook for more mindfulness!

Download the FREE Checklist NOW! Click Here!