Mindful Movement
Mindful Movement
Mindful Movement: ​​
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Mindful movement refers to any physical activity, including walking, stretching, or yoga, performed with full attention and awareness of the body, mind, and breath, fostering purposeful regulation and coordination.
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Mindful movement interventions are practices that aim to dissolve the mind–body separation, promoting instead their integration.
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Yoga:
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Yoga is a discipline that encompasses a series of movements, postures, meditation, and breathing techniques designed to cultivate harmony within the body and mind. Yoga can be described as a “bottom-up” approach aimed at helping individuals with symptoms of [traumatic] stress comfortably reinhabit their bodies and regain a visceral sense of safety.
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Trauma-Sensitive Yoga (TSY), a specialized form of yoga, is a body-oriented practice designed to help individuals with complex trauma develop self-awareness, self-regulation, and cultivate a benevolent relationship with their bodies. TSY was designed as a therapeutic intervention by incorporating elements of mindfulness, breathing exercises, and movement forms.
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Mindfulness in yoga enables individuals to pay attention to their somatic experiences through the five senses, fostering a deeper sense of embodiment.
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Backed by Research:
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Positive interaction between the mind, body, and breath can promote overall well-being, enhance mood, facilitate emotional regulation, improve attention, and enhance learning, while also positively impacting stress levels.
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One study assessing the response of university students who participated in an 8-week mindful movement program observed improvements in their abilities to recognize body sensations, manage attention, become more emotionally aware, engage in self-regulation, listen to their bodies, and establish trust in their bodily experiences (Spaccapanico Proietti, 2024).
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Overall, mindful movement has the potential to significantly improve quality of life, mental functioning, and psychological resilience.
Meditation Readiness Screening Form
Before joining our meditation offerings, we invite you to complete this brief screening form. This ensures we provide a safe, supportive experience for everyone, especially for those who may have a history of trauma or mental health conditions. This form is confidential and not intended for diagnostic purposes.
Note: Meditation may not be suitable for some individuals without additional support. Please consult a mental health professional if unsure.
1. Have you ever experienced any of the following: Anxiety, Depression, PTSD (or trauma-related symptoms), Panic attacks?
None = 0
1 item = 1
2+ items= 2
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2. Are you currently receiving support from a mental health professional (e.g., therapist, counselor, psychiatrist)?
No = 0
Yes = 1
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3. Have you ever experienced discomfort, distress, or triggering experiences during meditation, breathwork, or mindfulness?
No = 0
Not sure = 1
Yes = 2
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Do you feel emotionally safe and ready to engage in this meditation at this time?
Yes = 0
Not sure = 1
No = 2
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Scores:
0–2 (Low Risk) – Meditation is likely safe to try. Proceed with self-awareness.
3–4 (Moderate Risk) – Caution advised. Consider starting with shorter, guided sessions. Support may be beneficial.
5–7 (High Risk) – Meditation may trigger distressing emotions. Please consult with a therapist or mental health provider before starting.
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