Affirmative Consent Arrives at the Yoga Studio (www.philly.com) - Finally!

I love the healing power of yoga for easing trauma symptoms. My first moments of pleasure while present happened in a yoga class.

I've written lots on this healing modality for trauma survivors. Unfortunately, not all yoga classes are taught by those who are trauma-informed.

Some great yoga teachers are doing great and teaching others to use use trauma-informed teaching styles.

However, lots of yoga teachers still touch students, during class, without asking. Some to do to help with postures or alignment, while others do it to deepen stretches. Others "give" massages and unasked for energy work at the end of classes where deep relaxing and meditation happen often in dark rooms.

It's important to say - many students love this guidance and nurturing.

Many do not.

Some despise the practice and refuse to go to certain teachers, classes or quit yoga entirely because of this non trauma-informed approach and sometimes too touchy approach. 

The article below describes how and why some studios are changing. Some are making consent to touch a part of every class.

It's about friggin time.

Yoga should be a safe place.

One should be able to learn and practice without having to ask not to be touched.

I LOVE using cards to indicate consent.

Here's an excerpt from the article by Samantha Melamed.

It's a great way to reinforce the consent message as it pertains to personal safety and space so it's not only a conversation that relates to sex.

They're "consent cards." Place one by your mat if you're open to physical guidance from the yoga instructor. Or don't.

The topic of consent has, perhaps inevitably, made its way into a growing number of yoga studios. They're deploying consent cards - and variations such as permission stones, yes-no cards, and a trademarked product called the Yoga flipchip - to empower students to accept or decline hands-on adjustments, a teaching tool in many studios.

Full article.

Note: Image from author's article, "Why Talk Therapy Doesn't Heal Rape Trauma" published by author, Christine Cissy White, in Elephant Journal.