INside Out: Trauma-informed yoga for men

Murray Hemi.

“Trauma is actually the residue from the past as it settles into your body. It’s located inside your own skin.” Bessel van der Kolk

Recent studies have shown yoga to be remarkably effective in helping traumatised people to heal, by regulating stress responses and reconnecting body and mind. According to reknowned international trauma expert Bessel van der Kolk, slowing your breathing with yoga can help increase your heart rate variability, and decrease stress.

The Road Forward is thrilled to announce the launch of INside-Out men’s yoga classes every Monday. Instructor Murray Hemi grew up in Papawai, a small Māori community in the Wairarapa. Growing up, he says he “listened and learnt stories from people much older and wiser” than himself, and from this firm grounding, he was able to work through a serious rugby injury, setting him up for his life’s work in Hakomi somatic therapy.

INside-Out Yoga uses physical movement to bring an awareness to our internal emotional state. Murray says when we experience stress, pressure, and anxiety we usually hold those emotions tightly in our bodies. In yoga, as we begin to focus on noticing our physical body, our awareness extends to our ‘emotional body’ – our feelings and state of mind.

This class uses slow and spacious poses to carefully bring attention to any emotions that sit within in our muscles and our bodies. These movements allow us to explore deeper forgotten (or unconscious) experiences and memories.

Classes are held every Monday at the Hutt Valley Branch, from 6–7pm – Please arrive 15 minutes early to settle into the space.

This is a koha-based group.

To register, please contact Tony at The Road Forward by midday each Monday before class begins.

Phone 022 400 2801, email tony@theroadforward.org.nz **