Trauma-Informed Yoga for CPTSD (and Somatics for Recovery)

Living with Complex PTSD (CPTSD) can be overwhelming. It affects not only the mind, but also the body and nervous system.

At How We Heal CIC, we support survivors with Trauma-Informed Yoga for CPTSD alongside gentle somatic practices. These approaches offer empowering, body-based tools to reconnect with yourself and begin to feel safe again.

Why Trauma-Informed Yoga for CPTSD is Different

Unlike traditional yoga classes, trauma-informed yoga is designed specifically with survivors in mind. Trauma-Informed Yoga for CPTSD centres on safety, choice, and regulation so survivors can rebuild trust with their bodies at their own pace.

• Choice over compliance: Instructors invite, rather than direct, movements. Participants always decide what feels right.

• Safety first: Language, pacing, and environment are adapted to minimise triggers. No physical adjustments are made without explicit consent.

• Regulation over achievement: The aim is to support the nervous system, not to push the body.

A 2014 study led by Bessel van der Kolk found that yoga significantly reduced PTSD symptoms, especially around emotion regulation and body awareness. For survivors of CPTSD, these benefits can be life-changing.

How Somatics Complement Trauma-Informed Yoga for CPTSD

Somatic grounding, breath, and micro-movements work hand-in-hand with Trauma-Informed Yoga for CPTSD to calm the nervous system and restore a felt sense of safety.

• Awareness: Learning to notice sensations linked with stress or safety.

• Release: Gentle movement and breathwork can help discharge stored trauma energy.

• Regulation: Supporting the nervous system to shift from fight, flight, or freeze into calm and connection.

• Agency: Survivors rebuild trust in their ability to make choices for themselves.

Stephen Porges’ Polyvagal Theory highlights how the vagus nerve plays a role in trauma responses. Somatic practices support this system, helping survivors return to states of safety and connection.

The Link Between CPTSD and the Body → CPTSD, the Body, and Why Trauma-Informed Yoga for CPTSD Helps

Because CPTSD lives in the nervous system, Trauma-Informed Yoga for CPTSD offers a practical pathway to recognise triggers, down-shift arousal, and feel present again. CPTSD symptoms are not only psychological — they are deeply physical. Survivors often live with:

• Hypervigilance and startle responses

• Chronic tension, headaches, or digestive problems

• Emotional numbness or “shutdown”

• Feeling disconnected from the body

Trauma-informed yoga and somatics offer a pathway back to presence, grounding, and self-compassion. By working with the body, survivors can begin to feel safe within themselves again.

Healing is Possible - Healing with Trauma-Informed Yoga for CPTSD

Recovery from CPTSD is not a straight line, but it is possible. Body-based practices such as trauma-informed yoga and somatics offer survivors safe tools for regulation, resilience, and reconnection.

At How We Heal CIC, we provide trauma-informed workshops and community programmes to support survivors in their healing journey. We believe in creating spaces where safety, choice, and self-compassion can grow.

Want to learn more about CPTSD? Read our blog post

post

What is CPTSD? | How We Heal CIC Trauma Recovery

At How We Heal CIC, many of the people we support are living with the effects of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) or Complex Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (CPTSD). While most of us have heard of PTSD, fewer people know what CPTSD is — or how deeply it can affect daily life. By understanding CPTSD, we can begin to reduce stigma, offer compassion, and create safe pathways for recovery.PTSD vs. CPTSD: What’s the Difference?Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) usually develops after a single

 for an introduction before exploring how yoga and somatics can support recovery.