Trauma-Informed Yoga: A Toolbox for Therapists: 47 Practices to Calm Balance, and Restore the Nervous System

by Joanne Spence

Although many forms of trauma treatment rely solely on talk therapy as a means of healing, we cannot “talk out” every issue related to trauma. Indeed, trauma is stored in the body and the brain and must be treated as such. Designed with both mental health clinicians and clients in mind, Trauma-Informed Yoga offers 47 short, simple practices that regulate the autonomic nervous system, calm the racing mind, and center those of us living chaotic 21st century lives. Drawing from over 20 years of teaching and clinical practice, Spence masterfully weaves together the ancient wisdom of yoga with modern neuroscience and clinical practice in an accessible and compassionate manner. This how-to toolbox will arm you with knowledge and with powerful, yet simple, mind-body activities that reduce suffering and increase well-being.

Genres: Health, Self Help, Social Work, Psychology

212 pages, Paperback

Published March 9, 2021

About the author

Joanne Spence, MA, E-RYT 500, C-IAYT, is a recovering social worker and certified yoga therapist. She has a Social Work degree from James Cook University and a Master of Arts from Pittsburgh Theological Seminary. She is the founder and executive director of Yoga in Schools.

Joanne trains and teaches all sorts of amazing people, both nationally and internationally, in yoga. She has taught yoga in prisons, hospitals, schools, churches, and sometimes on street corners. She specializes in working with adults and children who are experiencing chronic pain, trauma, depression, anxiety, ADHD, and insomnia.

Joanne draws on more than thirty-five years of clinical experience as a mental health professional and twenty years as a teacher and practitioner of yoga, including ten years as the first yoga therapist at Western Psychiatric Hospital. She is in private practice as a yoga therapist and a spiritual director at Urban Oasis Pittsburgh and works with veterans on several behavioral health units in Pittsburgh teaching therapeutic chair yoga. In addition, Joanne leads in-person and online trainings on yoga, mental health, trauma, and contemplative practices.

Joanne has co-authored several published articles as well as a chapter in Stories of School Yoga: Narratives from the Field, and she was a contributor to Best Practices for Yoga in Schools. Joanne likes nothing more than to demonstrate the inclusive nature of yoga practice; if you can breathe, you can do yoga.

Joanne has been married to Doug for over thirty years. Together, they have three adult children, all of whom practice yoga! When she is not teaching, Joanne loves to read, write, hike, travel, cook, and even dance a little—just not all at the same time.

Reviews

[Merryn Spence · Rating 5 out of 5]

An excellent book to get your hands on! Being a trauma informed yoga teacher, I have already incorporated several of Joanne's practices into my classes and private sessions. If you are looking for simple and clear ways to directly impact your nervous system and the systems around you, this should be the first place to start.

[Judih Haggai · Rating 5 out of 5]

I so enjoyed reading this marvelous guide to trauma-informed yoga. I've incorporated the advice and some of the practices into my classes with teenagers and over-70s. As Joanne Spence informs us, one never knows who has experienced trauma in one form or another, and it's best to facilitate as if there's buried trauma amongst us all.
Especially now within pandemic conditions and in our always volatile security situation here in the Western Negev of Israel
I am deeply appreciative of this fine manual and I highly recommend it to all who deal in yoga, mindfulness, coaching or any kind of therapy. I'd also suggest that any teacher, or any facilitator dealing with other human beings (!) should include a serious study of this book as part of their toolkit.

[Beth Christiano · Rating 5 out of 5]

Trauma Informed Yoga: A Toolbox for Therapists, is an essential go-to resource for me as a Clinical Psychologist. Joanne Spence first provides the scientific foundation for understanding how yoga and other body-based practice promote health and then she presents a how-to guide for helping clients calm, balance, and energize. The tools in the therapists’ toolbox are as accessible to therapists and clients for whom yoga is a new practice, as they are for experienced yogis. Joanne writes about her own experiences with these tools and their real-world applications to clinical work in such a clear, heartfelt, and compassionate way. It feels as if she is extending her hand to the reader and inviting us on this journey of healing with her.

[daemyra, the realm's delight · Rating 3 out of 5]

RTC.

[Renee Prymus · Rating 5 out of 5]

As both a writing instructor and a yoga instructor, I find Trauma-Informed Yoga to be an invaluable resource for bringing mindfulness activities into the writing classroom (where students often process trauma through their writing). Spence’s approach is easy-to-read, engaging, and practical.

[Lady Katie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book offered a lot of really great exercises to try in my yoga classes! I just completed my 200 hour training, and have a thirst for knowledge about most things yoga. Although there are a few grammatical errors/typos, they're few and far enough in between that they weren't too distracting. The graphics and charts are well designed for easy reading. Ms. Spence gave me a lot of things to consider when welcoming people into my classes. She does a great job at integrating her source material into an organized, well-flowing instruction manual. She also provided an extensive list at the end of the book for resources and references. I must extend my Kudos to her for a job well done. There are a couple of the movements that I had trouble visualizing, so perhaps a link to a video would be useful. Overall, this is an excellent resource!

As a side note: a feature that tickles me is the spiral binding. I never lose my place, and it allows me to leave the book open to the right page to use during practice.

[Jenifer Hemphill · Rating 5 out of 5]

Joanne Spence is the ideal person to write this book. She has healed her own body using the yoga practices she provides in this book for therapists. She tells her own story of healing and helping others along with her discovery of the scientific reasons why this therapy works. The second half of the book devoted to the practices for therapists to use with their clients is easy enough to follow even if you are not a professional yogi. I am an amateur at yoga and not a therapist, and I am able to follow Joanne's instructions for the 47 practices. The workbook size allows you to open to a specific practice and put it down without flipping shut. I actually think the information and the practices in this book are useful to anyone who wants to calm anxiety, quiet their mind, and listen to their body.

[Cindy Zurchin · Rating 5 out of 5]

The book is an easy read and very practical. I have had great success using the strategies Joanne explains myself and teaching the strategies to students and teachers at the elementary, middle and high school levels. For example, Spinal Twist is one of the balancing practices I encourage everyone to use on a daily basis. Spinal Twists is a great way to start your day. Just completed mine this morning! The body was meant to move. The book is a great resource all in one place to help yourself and others. Bought one for a gift to give to a friend too. What better gift than a resource to help someone calm, balance and restore the nervous system.

[P J · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have used several of the practices in this deck for the past few years. Joanne is sensitive to people of all skill levels, and provides gentle exercises that promote health and wellbeing, stimulate calm, and help reduce stress, deepen breath, and increase flexibility. I am excited that these practices are available in such an easy to use, portable, and functional way. I especially like the recommended practice sequences included at the beginning of the deck. Don't miss the "Bee Breathing" exercise. It's the balm!

[Julia R. · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a marvelous treasury of helps for the trauma-informed professional. Not only that, but one will find in one place the fundamentals of trauma theory, biological responses to trauma, and effective skills, scripts and interventions. These mind-body practice can be done at your desk, in your therapy room, or your living room. I believe teachers and other leaders will be empowered with this resource and would do well to keep it on hand as a first aid kit.

[Doreen Corwith · Rating 5 out of 5]

Joanne's book is clear and insightful. It has inspired me to take even better care of myself so I can be present for my clients. Some of the tools I have learned in other contexts but understand now in terms of trauma, and so many new tools will support my students and clients. Her scripts for each practice is a nice addition not often found in books. I look forward to playing with this tool box for years to come.

[Sharon · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great resource for teachers and therapists alike. Joanne Spence provides a comprehensive overview of yoga science, both from a neuroscience perspective and the innate wisdom of yoga tradition. Although I wish there were illustrations of the practices or links to videos for those of us that are more visual learners, The practices are short and accessible with suggestions for implementing them into your current practice.

[Dr. Amy Andrews · Rating 5 out of 5]

As a chiropractor, I witness trauma, both physical and emotional, alter a patient's state of health. Trauma-Informed Yoga toolkit gives healing practitioners a guide to help their patients calm the nervous system so that healing can begin. Joanne has written a powerful book with techniques that I will use daily to help my patients find their best health.

[Squirreler · Rating 5 out of 5]

This useful guide will help you incorporate yoga into a treatment program for trauma-affected patients. Trauma affects body and mind, and yoga is an ideal way to work with both, to achieve more than words alone can do. Spence gives practical guidelines for evidence-based, positive results.

[Esperanza · Rating 3 out of 5]

Didn't have quite enough time to read it; had to return it to the library

[Emily]

This is a good introduction for those with little to no experience with yoga or trauma informed care. The practices are good, but basic for those with training in the area.