The recent article in The Independent titled “Dance teacher wins payout after yoga course triggers emotional breakdown” has understandably sparked strong reactions in some yoga teachers and communities I am connected with. It's a good illustration of what can happen when yoga teachers introduce psychological processes they are not trained to handle, or are trained to handle but shun the responsibility to deal with the reactions they provoke. As someone who has taught Trauma-Sensitive Yoga Teacher Training courses for years and has written a book on the subject, I found the story unsurprising, but still deeply concerning. It mirrors patterns I am familiar with in the yoga world, especially in the last years, where teachers are crossing boundaries, misusing practices, oversimplifying the complexity of the human psyche, and venturing into terrain that belongs to trained mental health professionals. The result of this case of blatant disregard for professional responsibility and ethical boundaries was heartbreaking. I can only hope that the person in question will find a way to heal.
Lately, I’ve been diving deep into fitness and nutrition through the lens of female physiology, tracking my cycle, tuning into changes in energy and performance, and preparing for the shifts that come with perimenopause, which is soon approaching. This journey has led me to explore research, expert insights, and real-world strategies tailored specifically to women.
One of the reasons I’m drawn to neuroscience is that it bridges the gap between the brain, the body, and our lived experience. It offers a language to explain why we think, feel, and behave the way we do and, more importantly, how we can change. For me, understanding the nervous system has been a turning point in my growth, and professionally, it’s one of the foundations of how I support others. In therapy, I utilise a range of tools, including body-based approaches and mindfulness, as well as cognitive techniques such as those employed in CBT (Cognitive Behavioural Therapy). What unites them all is that they work with the brain’s natural ability to adapt and rewire, known as neuroplasticity. When we understand this concept, change stops feeling abstract or impossible and becomes something practical, visible, and empowering.
The following story is about a trip home I took during the pandemic, but it serves to illustrate a bigger subject - feeling safe in the world, especially as a woman. I promised to write it years ago and never got around to it. A student friend reminded me recently, and I felt today, on International Women’s Day, was the perfect time to reflect. Please note that I mention some statistics that some might find triggering. So, here it goes...
Even though I stay well-informed about global events, including politics, and often discuss these topics in my personal life, I usually avoid bringing them into platforms I use for work, including social media, or blog posts, unless I feel it’s important. A conversation with a new friend, a fellow yogi and self-described “refugee from the US” reminded me that this is one of those times, and inspired me to share some thoughts. She expressed heartbreak over what she sees as the slow erosion of democracy and equality in her country and how many in the yoga community contributed to it. “That’s what hurts the most,” she said. I have to say I agree and am worried about the future.
A stray dog followed us a few days ago as we walked home from the beach. She seemed scared but decided to trust us and follow us home. We fed her and let her take shelter to rest and sleep on our terrace. She was restless at first and would startle at every louder sound, but after a while, she relaxed.
photography: Sanjin Kastelan / web design; Nina Vukas
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