We offer warm-hearted and inclusive Trauma-Sensitive Yoga (TSY) classes. The classes are gently paced throughout the 8 weeks, so new tools and strategies can be introduced in class and practiced in participants everyday lives.

TSY based interventions can reduce trauma symptoms by helping to regulate the autonomic nervous system. Working with body in TSY paves the way to feeling safe in your own skin. Trauma is a bodily experience which can result in sensations that feel unsafe, with unexpected reactions to unknown triggers and becoming locked in a state of either high alert or numbness.

TSY works directly with the physiological elements of trauma by using yoga forms, breath and movement gently engaging in the feeling sensations in your body. By bringing awareness to shifting sensations in the body, you slowly build the capacity to remain present while feeling sensations. Over time a more positive relationship with your body is possible as you practise making positive choices about what to do with your body based upon what you feel.

All classes are built on safe space principles, the keystone principle being choice; you are encouraged to make choices about moving in a way that feels most comfortable to you. The group setting also offers you the opportunity to experience participating in a safe and facilitated group which brings many benefits in of itself. 

We offer a short coming-together period before the class and leave space for any sharing after the practice. However, you are free not to interact with others as we acknowledge that some people may find it very difficult to be in a group situation. 

The yoga style taught is not religious, nor affiliated with any particular yoga style. It is based upon the work of Bessel van der Kolk and David Emerson from the Trauma Centre Trauma Sensitive Yoga in Boston, USA. 

• Anchoring into a sense of safety within self and the group context. For example: awareness of weight of the body on the ground; noticing where the breath is; social engagement with others; visual anchors in the room. 

• Basic polyvagal theory - the vagus nerve and it’s role in emotional regulation, social connection and the fear response.

• Recognising internal state and noticing when things change. 

• Encouraging positive self-talk.

• Healing happens in safety and choice is central to a safe space. 

• Practicing making small, manageable choices about what you want to do with your body. Noticing how your body feels and taking action based on that sensation - pausing, changing position, shifting viewpoint - while practising moving away from discomfort and toward comfort and stability.

• Developing the ability to notice your body state and breath with curiosity. 

• Making any adjustments that may invite more comfort and ease. 

• Somatically experiencing what regulation/connection with self feels like.

• Awareness of muscle intensity, and building capacity to shift the intensity as you explore movement.

• Raising somatic awareness through the use of massage balls, weighted blanket on lap or feet, self-massage of arms, hands and face. 

• Developing dual awareness of both your breath and shifting sensations in your body, you practise feeling present in the space.

• Awareness of the breath is integral to yoga; gentle practices encouraging slow rhythmic breathing are explored, in particular diaphragmatic breathing. 

• Exploring rhythm by co-ordinating breath with movement internally, and with others in the class

• Create a safe, supportive and compassionate group environment.

• Guidance and support to help you focus on particular aspects of yoga including breath awareness, sensing, movement, and resting.

• Cater for all abilities with the option of a chair and/or a yoga mat, blankets and bolsters in all classes.

• Not offer physical adjustments.

• Give support between classes via text or phone call.

• Provide all equipment needed for class.

• Liaise with participants and the lead provider before the group starts to ensure we are aware of any particular needs or safety concerns.

• Liaise with your therapist with your consent for additional support,

• Respect cultural perspectives and needs. 

Lucy Matthews is an ACC registered Psychotherapist and group facilitator and has worked with ACC since 2016. She has a BSc in Psychology and is a Psychodramatist and Somatic Psychotherapist. She is a specialist in trauma work and has facilitated many therapeutic process groups for both adults and children.

Jo Stewart is a qualified counsellor as well as qualified social worker (M.ED Couns Distinction, BSW Hons, University of Canterbury). She has 20 years experience in the field, including tutoring and guest lecturing at a tertiary level. Jo is an experienced group facilitator for various programmes. Jo completed 20 hour TCTSY in 2022 and has undertaken 80 hours of Mindfulness Somatic training in 2023. Jo currently contracts to the primary health care sector and ACC.

Mareile Stoppel is a counsellor, supervisor and group facilitator and has worked with ACC since 2003. She has master degrees in science and in education/ counselling and a diploma in teaching. She has worked for more than 30 years at the Christchurch Rudolf Steiner School as a teacher and school counsellor. Mareile has facilitated many therapeutic groups for the Chch Women Centre and ACC. She is a qualified Somatic Experiencing Trauma Therapist since 2017.

Emma McKinlay is a social worker (Masters Applied Social Work) and group facilitator and has worked with ACC since 2020. She has worked as a therapist with a wide range of people for over ten years in a variety of community settings. Emma completed her 3 year training in Somatic Experiencing in 2022. This has deepened her understanding of the impact of trauma on the mind and body, and has transformed the way she works with her clients. She has facilitated many therapeutic groups for both adults and children.

Jacinda Gilligan is a trained therapeutic yoga teacher, trauma educator & somatics teacher. She has 30 years experience facilitating in both educational and therapeutic settings and has taught yoga for 13 years specialising in metabolising trauma & applied polyvagal theory. She has taught under the ACC contract since it began approving tsyoga and also facilitates groups in the regional prisons. She recently founded, SOMA, the first Centre in New Zealand focussed on somatic modalities and is committed to ongoing professional development.

Jessie Maclaurin is a yoga teacher and trauma-informed movement facilitator, who specialises in yin and therapeutic styles of yoga. She has been teaching and facilitating groups in various settings over the past 8 years, with backgrounds in outdoor education, coaching and emergency medicine.

Teresa Grimley works as a counsellor and TCTSY yoga faciliitator and has over 30 years experience supporting people of all ages and in a variety of settings. Teresa currently works as a counsellor in schools and tertiary settings. She is an ACC registered counsellor who has completed a 300-hour Trauma Centre Trauma Sensitive Yoga (TCTSY) facilitator training. Teresa has a Master of Education (Cert.Counselling) from the University of Canterbury and a Master of Social work from the University of Melbourne.

Natasha Godetz is a yoga teacher and somatic practitioner who specialises in guiding therapeutic classes to help people manage pain, release tension and feel safe in their body. Having spent 24 years navigating chronic autoimmune disease, joint replacements and other health challenges, she draws from her own personal experience as well as her 8 years of study and teaching. Aswell as guiding yoga classes she holds monthly stress release classes in Christchurch using movement as a way to help people connect with their body and move through physical and mental health challenges.

• There are approx 10 participants in each class, the majority being female only but also including one gender-inclusive class. Classes are facilitated by a TSY teacher and an ACC group therapist.

• Classes are 1.5 hours with 15 minutes before and after each class available for further support.

• The classes are held at SOMA - Centre for Somatics, 433 Saint Asaph St, Central Christchurch (parking available). Next to Roses Carpets.

• To register please fill out the Group Registration Form and support plan at https://www.visser.net.nz/trauma-sensitive-yoga-information

  2025 See Group Registration Form for details of group times

• Term 2 - from week beginning 28th April to week ending 27th June

• Term 3 - from week beginning 14th July to week ending 12th September

• Term 4 - from week beginning 6th October to week ending 5th December

• Before enrolling we request that you and your ACC therapist read the TSY information on the Visser website. 

• To enrol you will need to be engaged in ongoing regular therapeutic support with your ACC therapist.

• You must have an accepted ACC ISSC claim, which means having had a supported assessment and the claim accepted. TSY classes are delivered as part of Support to Wellbeing (long term) so a Wellbeing plan requesting TSY must be submitted and responded to by ACC before completing the registration form. (At this stage do not specify the therapist or group you wish to attend) You can ask for TSY in a Wellbeing plan and state, under hours and supplier, TBC (To Be confirmed)

• If both you and your ACC therapist agree the class is appropriate, you and your therapist fill out an online registration form and support plan and wait until the enrolment has been confirmed before applying to ACC for a purchase order. 

• This is a block course so a commitment of 8 weeks is required for enrolments to be approved. 

• Once attending a class you will have the option to continue on with yoga in the following term or the next available class if you have enough remaining ACC group hours. If you choose this option your therapist will receive the necessary information to adjust the purchase order with ACC.

• Please contact us if your circumstances change and you can no longer attend your scheduled  course