Mindful Connections for Trauma Sensitive Practices

MC4TSP will explore how to hold space, provide support, and give meditation instruction in ways that are sensitive to experiences of trauma.

This curriculum recognizes that one key to reducing harm is to understand the mechanisms of trauma and the role of meditation/mindfulness practices in either promoting healing or creating harm. This course is designed for those who have done our Mindful Connections introductory program, have had an equivalent experience (20+ hours social emotional regulation and mindfulness programming, such as MBSR), or who have a deep and regular mindfulness practice and who teach or guide others to use meditation/mindfulness practices.

Meditation practices can promote personal healing and support recovery from trauma. At the same time, being still and noticing our thoughts, physical sensations and emotions can give rise to memories of traumatic events. When a traumatic event occurs in our life, our brain stores it incorrectly, often without a “time and place stamp”. Thus, simply recalling the event can feel as if it’s happening all over again, which can be re-traumatizing. It’s extremely important that we notice when a mindfulness practice is prompting intrusive thoughts or traumatic memories and guide practice in ways that don’t cause emotional or physical dysregulation or harm.

The Mindful Connections for Trauma Sensitive Practices curriculum is a 13.5-hour program consisting of nine, 1.5 hour sessions. You will learn:

• What’s at the intersection of mindfulness and trauma
• About the window of tolerance: a framework to track regulation
• How to be trauma sensitive when facilitating mindfulness
• How to be proactive in creating and generating safety
• Understanding trauma further with interoception and exteroception
• Social context and trauma
• Building resilience, resources, and self-compassion

All classes will be held on zoom starting Saturday, May 2 and continue for 9 weeks, ending June 27. The classes will be held from 9:00 -10:30 AM EST.

Required Book:

This class requires that you purchase David Treleaven’s Trauma-Sensitive Mindfulness: Practices for Safe and Transformative Healing (2018). It is available new through the publisher at: https://wwnorton.com/books/9780393709780

It can also be purchased new or used or for kindle at: https://www.amazon.com/dp/0393709787/ref=cm_sw_su_dp

Facilitator: This course will be facilitated by Sheba Gittens. Sheba is a Compassionate Joy & Liberation HeArtivist and the Co-Director of YogaRoots On Location Yoga Teacher Training. She | They is the Mother (Guide) to Alioune and sister to humanity. Sheba is an ancestor returned living in this iteration of the world. She is a heArtivist, Arts Educator, Co-creator of Space, Facilitator of Joy, Organizer with Community, and a Weaver of Truth. Sheba received her BA in Africana Studies from the University of Pittsburgh and has spent her career in the practice of equity and justice. She is a certified Wellness Coach (Institute for Integrative Nutrition), a Prenatal Yoga Instructor (SoulWork), and a 200-hr Raja Yoga Instructor (Yoga Roots on Location). Utilizing a multitude of mediums, Sheba presents workshops, co-creates integrative arts experiences, facilitates affinity group spaces with Folks of the Global Majority, and exists as a member of humanity. Through her role with YogaRoots On Location, she bears witness and holds space for the healing and self-discovery that nurture individual and communal balance.

FAQs

What is the time commitment in between sessions?

There is a 1-2 hour time commitment between sessions. Meeting with another participant weekly to check in. At home work – follow up reading, viewing or listening from resources provided. Reading assigned chapters from David Treleaven’s Trauma-Sensitive Mindfulness: Practices for Safe and Transformative Healing (2018).

How can I contact the organizers with any questions?

If you have any questions, feel free to be in touch by email: Dawn@awakenpittsurgh.org

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