TEACHERS’ TALES
Safe spaces
Do you show up as safe?
By Paula Hines
Safe space. This term is often mentioned in the realms of yoga gatherings and increasingly so, as more of us gain awareness and experience of trauma-informed and trauma-sensitive practices.
But what does ‘safe space’ mean? Whether you are a teacher or not, what does it mean to you?
“How do I show up as safe?”
This was a question posed by Dr. Gail Parker, yoga therapist, psychologist and author of ‘Restorative Yoga for Ethnic and Race- Based Stress and Trauma’ (a book I highly recommend) during an online workshop I attended. This is something I have thought about since I started teaching a decade ago and constantly re-examine and work on. The ‘working-on’ part is crucial and ongoing, I feel.