Breath by Breath
Breath by Breath is not currently offering group sessions at this time.
Please click on the tab at the bottom of this page to be notified via email of upcoming group offerings.
Breath by Breath a trauma-informed Yoga group. This group emphasizes being in the present moment through attention to the breath and the body while utilizing trauma informed language. It has been my passion to integrate these two areas into optimal support for people seeking to deliberately grow and heal. After looking for resources in the community to support a body intervention for trauma, and finding few reasonable options, I decided to pursue my certification in Yoga with the hope of meeting this need. As both a certified Yoga instructor and licensed clinical psychotherapist, the integration of the mind and body offers us a unique space to invite calm, intentional and compassionate healing for our whole system.
Often people who have survived trauma, report specific challenges to feeling safe in their bodies. Taking the time to care for ourselves can be especially challenging for trauma survivors, those struggling with chronic pain, and mood disorders. Yet, learning how to do this is an essential part of trauma recovery. An integral part of healing includes noticing our thoughts, somatic experiences, and our breath. Integration happens when we learn to listen to and honor both our minds and our bodies wisely. We begin to develop our own capacity to be kind to ourselves through difficult situations. We start to notice our own choices and we develop sense of value and worth. This opens us to a new way of living and being with ourselves and our world.
Breath by Breath will incorporate mindful language that will be decidedly unique in order to reflect a trauma informed understanding of the body's way of healing. This best reflects a therapeutic purposes rather than utilizing Yoga simply as a form of exercise. Invitational language will offer you the opportunity to listen to your inner body experience and make deliberately body informed choices - a critical element in trauma recovery.
While attending therapy with Abi is not necessary, several participants in Breath by Breath may be current clients, so confidentiality and respect around individual privacy is essential (see Mindful Consent link below). No Yoga experience is required - simply an open mind and the courage to show up. Since the practice of Yoga accesses deeply held feelings and beliefs about ourselves and those in our world, it is strongly recommended that participants simultaneously attend therapy with a competent mental health care provider, though this is not required. I work to create a safe environment and culture by upholding the following group guidelines. First, participants are asked to meet with Abi prior to joining Breath by Breath to ensure that they are fully aware of the groups parameters. Secondly, Breath by Breath groups run for 3 weeks. Participants are encouraged to attend all three classes. The group experience will be cumulative to encourage consistent attendance and a coherent group experience for all participants. Research maintains that noticable results were reported by trauma survivors who attended 10-12 weeks of Yoga as treatment for PTSD.
Payment is required in full prior to attending the first group. The unique design of this Yoga series, 75 minutes, grouped into a 3 week package, is organized to encourage regular practice in order for participants to receive the optimal experience though a cumulative Yoga practice. Thus, I am unable to offer refunds, exchanges, or substitutions for other sessions.
All participants are required to read, print, and sign the Mindful Consent form prior to participation.
Living in the Breath: An Essential Tool for Recovery
Hopes
Cultivate a sense of safety in your body
Convey respect for our own processes
Take all the time necessary to learn and develop
Create a dialog between what we feel in our bodies and what we need
Tolerate inner body sensations which previously are avoided
Foster self compassion
Regulate our attention and our impulses
Develop inner awareness in our bodies and thus our lives
Notice our bodies and sensations without judgment
Current research supports and advocates Yoga as viable intervention to chronic stress, anxiety, depression, PTSD, and chronic pain.
NEW: I'm thrilled to announce an end of the year/beginning of the year inspired Breath by Breath series!
New Location: 1215 W. Washington Ave, #207, Wilmette, IL 60091
New Dates:Friday December 29, 2017 & Friday January 5, 2018
New Time: 4:00-5:30pm
If you are interested in participating in Breath by Breath, please email me at: anixlcpc@gmail.com
