You help us decide whether the program will be offered in-person or virtually. We take into account each participant’s individual needs based on location, comfort level being in social environments vs. in their home, etc. and decide what is best for the group.

There is no cost to participate in the HELD Program.

This program is made possible through donations, sponsorships, and community support, allowing us to offer it without financial burden to participants.

At the end of the program, participants are invited to make a donation, if they feel able, to help sustain this offering for others.

You do not have to be a yoga practitioner to participate in this program. It is a gentle practice that will assist you in rebuilding the relationship with your physical body, welcoming yourself to the present moment, and assist in addressing and moving through challenging thoughts and emotions. The poses offered throughout the class are simply an invitation- you choose what feels supportive to you.

Trauma-informed yoga is an evidence-based approach that prioritizes the healing and the unique individual experiences of every participant. This empowering practice centers on core principles such as safety, trust, choice, and control. By taking a holistic approach, we honor the way that pregnancy loss impacts the bereaved’s physical, social, emotional, and/or spiritual well-being.

Trauma-informed yoga helps participants activate their parasympathetic nervous system, making gradual shifts over time to expand their window of tolerance and enhance their coping skills. This practice ultimately leads to a space where participants feel validated and empowered to make informed choices based on their individual needs.

Benefits of trauma-informed yoga include (Davidson, 2019):

• Positive coping skills, including strengthening inner resources

• Self-care strategies

• Increased feelings of being seen, valued, and affirmed

• Strengthened emotional, physical, mental, personal, and interpersonal skills

• Strengthened self-esteem

• Increased awareness of needs, mindfulness skills, and resiliency

• Increased feelings of self-compassion

• Increased confidence and courage

• Empowerment to seek other resources, such as counseling and medical support

• Understanding how to ask for help

• Ability to be more expressive in therapy

• Decreased symptoms of PTSD

• Decreased feelings of depression, stress, and anxiety

• Establishment of boundaries and understanding how to be assertive

• Improved trust in self and others

• Feelings of safety and strength

• Ability to be intimate again

Restorative Yoga is a nurturing practice that invites the body & mind to rest in fully supported poses, often held for up to 15 minutes at a time. Restorative poses use blankets, pillows, and other props to create a sense of safety.

This helps nervous system to shift out of stress and into a state of rest and repair. With full diaphragmatic breath and mindful awareness, the body receives the message that it is safe. Over time, restorative yoga can help calm the mind, release physical tension, and create more spaciousness for healing.