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Taylor Lee Hitaffer

Heart2Brain Yoga

Empowering Heart, Brain, and Body through Trauma-Informed & Accessible Yoga

Our newsletter is crafted for yoga teachers, caregivers, and holistic practitioners seeking to create supportive, accessible spaces in yoga. If you're interested in trauma-informed principles, adaptive teaching strategies, or simply want to expand your approach to yoga for diverse bodies and minds, this newsletter is for you. Subscribers receive weekly insights on accessible yoga practices, trauma-informed tips, teaching resources, and heart-centered reflections from my work with children and private clients. Expect behind-the-scenes stories, actionable advice, and inspiring resources to make yoga inclusive and impactful for all ages. Plus, gain access to community events and exclusive content to deepen your teaching journey.

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Dec 07 • 1 min read

Realign Your Mind and Body with This Simple Practice

The Power of Orienting Practices in Trauma-Informed Yoga

Namaste, Reader!

Have you ever felt completely ungrounded - like your thoughts and body were in two different places? Moments like these are common, especially when the nervous system is under stress. Fortunately, there's a simple, science-backed tool to help: orienting practices.

Orienting practices use the senses to bring us back to the present moment. By noticing what's around us - the colors, textures, sounds, and sensations - we engage the brain's natural ability to re-establish a sense of safety and connection.

When we're disoriented, it's often because our nervous system is stuck in fight, flight or freeze mode. Orienting practices help calm the vagus nerve, which is key to regulating stress responses. This gentle shift allows the brain and body to recognize, I'm safe here.

How to Use This is Your Yoga Practice

Here's a simple orienting exercise you can try for yourself or lead in your yoga classes:

  • Take a few deep breaths.
  • Invite yourself or your students to look around the room.
  • Silently or aloud, name things that you see, hear, or feel.

This quick and effective practice is perfect for helping anyone who feels disconnected to gently come back to the present.

Want to explore this more? I've included an orienting practice in my 10-minute meditation that's designed to help you to manage stress, reconnect with a sense of inner peace, and boost self-esteem and self-compassion through positive affirmations. Download Embracing Calm and Confidence here and see how it feels to come back to center.

​Click Here to Access the Free Meditation​

Thank you for being part of this community. I’m so grateful for the chance to connect, grow, and create healing spaces together.

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

Follow Heart2Brain Yoga on Instagram and Facebook for more mindfulness!

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.

Download the FREE Meditation NOW!

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Empowering Heart, Brain, and Body through Trauma-Informed & Accessible Yoga

Our newsletter is crafted for yoga teachers, caregivers, and holistic practitioners seeking to create supportive, accessible spaces in yoga. If you're interested in trauma-informed principles, adaptive teaching strategies, or simply want to expand your approach to yoga for diverse bodies and minds, this newsletter is for you. Subscribers receive weekly insights on accessible yoga practices, trauma-informed tips, teaching resources, and heart-centered reflections from my work with children and private clients. Expect behind-the-scenes stories, actionable advice, and inspiring resources to make yoga inclusive and impactful for all ages. Plus, gain access to community events and exclusive content to deepen your teaching journey.

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