Trauma Informed Yoga
Trauma-Informed Yoga: A Gentle Path to Healing
Trauma-informed yoga is a compassionate, body-centered practice that honours the deep connection between your body, mind, and nervous system—especially in the wake of trauma. It offers a safe, intentional, and empowering space to gently return to yourself through embodied movement, stillness, and the practice of noticing what arises within.
Instead of focusing on achieving perfect poses, this approach emphasizes how movement feels in your body, inviting you to move at your own pace and make choices that support your well-being. With gentle guidance and a strong emphasis on personal agency, this practice helps you build awareness, develop trust in your body, and cultivate a sense of inner safety
Over time, trauma-informed yoga can support emotional regulation, resilience, and a deeper connection to self. It’s not about fixing or pushing through—it’s about honouring where you are and rediscovering your innate capacity to heal—one breath, one movement, one moment at a time.
Therapeutic Yin Yoga Course
This 8-week course will be offered through a trauma-informed lens, and is designed to support deep rest, nervous system regulation, and gentle self-exploration. Each session offers long-held, supported poses and mindfulness practices in a calm, welcoming space.
Debbie’s approach allows you to explore each shape with care and curiosity, while staying connected to what feels safe and right in your body. The emphasis is always on choice, compassion, and listening inward.
Ideal for those experiencing stress, burnout, emotional overwhelm, or disconnection, this course offers a healing path back to balance and self-trust.
Therapeutic Yin Yoga – 8-Week Course
A gentle series that invites restoration, grounding, and release. Each session includes supportive yin poses, gentle breathing practices, and mindfulness to help calm the body and mind.
This course will be offered Term one 2026 in the Tasman region, Please feel free to register your interest.
Booking details available on request
Private One-to-One Sessions
Debbie also offers individual therapeutic yoga sessions tailored to your needs, intentions, and personal healing journey. These sessions are ideal if you prefer a more private setting or are working through specific challenges.
Each one-on-one session may include:
Gentle Yoga & breathing practices
Therapeutic Yin & Restorative postures
Guided relaxation and grounding tools
Support for nervous system regulation
Sessions are held in person and can be in the comfort of your own home—with an emphasis on deep listening, presence, and honoring your pace.
Pricing – One-to-One Therapeutic Yoga
60-minute session – $99
90-minute session – $149
ACC Sensitive Claims
Debbie is approved through ACC’s Sensitive Claims and facilitates trauma sensitive yoga courses in a group setting alongside a registered therapist. These courses run over a number of weeks in a safe and supported environment and are designed to support those recovering from trauma as part of an integrated care plan.
Each session offers movement, breathing practices, and tools to help regulate the nervous system, rebuild a sense of safety, and support reconnection with the body.
A Soft Place to Land
A 10-Week Trauma-Sensitive Yin Program for Women — Richmond
Registrations Now Open
We invite SCS providers to refer clients to A Soft Place to Land — a 10-week trauma-sensitive Yin Yoga program for women, concluding with a nurturing day retreat. Designed for survivors of trauma, this program supports gentle reconnection with the body, emotional regulation, and healing in a safe, compassionate space.
Program Details:
When: Thursdays, 12th February-9th April | Time: 1:15–2:15 pm (second week The class will take place on Tuesday 17th due to venue availability)
Where: Church on the Hill, Richmond (Dorset St – Main Hall)
Who: Women only
Retreat Day:
Date: Thurs 16th April
Where: Kimi Ora Eco Resort, Kaiteriteri
Time: 10:00-4:00pm
Each 60-min session includes trauma-sensitive yin yoga, breathwork, and reflection. Slow, floor-based movement supports titration and pendulation, helping participants build capacity for safety, presence, and self-trust. The final retreat includes restorative practices, gentle rituals, and creative activities to reflect and celebrate the journey.
Facilitators:
Debbie Sumner – Trauma-Sensitive Yoga teacher & Health Coach/ Community Support Worker
Jen Holmes-Beamer – Psychotherapist & TCTSY Facilitator
Referral Info for SCS Providers:
To seek approval, please contact the client’s Recovery Partner and request:
SCSGTT x1
SCSCT x16
Vendor ID: VAH127 (The Nelson Clinic)
Suggested Rationale:
“This client would benefit from attending A Soft Place to Land, a body-based group program supporting self-regulation, resilience, and reconnection.”
Contact us with any questions or to request further details.
