Navigating Trauma-Aware Facilitation: Why your student may not close their eyes

Hello, dear readers,

Have you ever encountered the challenge of guiding a student who struggles to close their eyes during yoga or meditation? Lucy and Rachel at The Whole Health Project used to dismiss such instances, attributing them to a lack of attention. However, our exploration of trauma-aware teaching unveiled a more profound understanding—closing one's eyes might be a significant hurdle for some.

Let's delve into this issue and comprehend why it's vital for teachers, coaches, and healers to approach it with sensitivity.

For many individuals, closing their eyes triggers discomfort or fear, often rooted in a heightened nervous system response due to past traumas. While they might not articulate or even recognize this unease, the environment may not feel secure enough for them to close their eyes.

As teachers and facilitators, it's not our role to unravel a student's trauma intricacies or erase their symptoms. Nevertheless, it's our duty to establish the safest possible space, minimising inadvertent triggers for our students and clients.

Now, you might be curious about addressing these challenges without undergoing extensive psychotherapy training. 

We've got a solution:

Understanding and tackling our students' unseen struggles goes beyond empathy—it's a pivotal element of responsible and trauma-aware teaching. Let's collaboratively create a safer, more supportive space for everyone on their wellness journey.

Join our Trauma Aware Facilitation Training here to foster a safer, more inclusive environment for your clients and students.

With love,

Lucy