19
Dec
2025
Is Yoga Inherently Healing? Trauma, Activation & the Power of Presence
In this profound and heartfelt conversation, Kino MacGregor welcomes yoga teacher, activist, and trauma-informed educator Terri Cooper to the podcast. Together, they explore the layered question: Is yoga inherently trauma-sensitive? What unfolds is a rich dialogue about the nature of trauma, the capacity of yoga to heal, and the responsibilities we carry as teachers and practitioners.
Terri opens the conversation with a clear, inclusive definition of trauma, reminding us that trauma is not just about dramatic or violent events, but about the body’s and mind’s response to overwhelm, disconnection, and powerlessness. She explains how yoga, when practiced with presence and intention, can support trauma healing by regulating the nervous system, reconnecting us with breath, and creating space for embodiment.
The conversation moves into practical territory, as Terri shares simple, accessible tools that anyone can use in moments of emotional activation. These quick grounding techniques reflect the core of trauma-sensitive yoga: making the practice approachable, compassionate, and rooted in awareness.
Terri also discusses her groundbreaking work with Connection Coalition, a nonprofit that brings yoga and mindfulness to youth in schools, jails, shelters, and foster homes. Her approach is fiercely inclusive, reminding us that service is not an accessory to the practice – it’s central to its purpose.
A key theme throughout the episode is the importance of yoga teachers doing their own healing work. Terri emphasizes that in order to hold space for others, we must face our own stories, wounds, and conditioning. Without this internal work, even well-meaning teachers can unknowingly replicate harm or bypass the real needs of their students.
The episode also touches on broader social issues, how mainstream society often minimizes or mischaracterizes trauma, and what it means to build a culture of care. With compassion and clarity, Terri challenges us to reimagine how yoga can be used as a tool not just for individual healing, but for collective transformation.
Whether you’re a teacher, student, or someone navigating your own healing journey, this episode offers deep insight into the ways yoga can become a sanctuary for integration, resilience, and awakening.
Listen now to learn:
• How trauma manifests and why it’s more common than we think
• Why yoga works to support nervous system regulation and healing
• What it really means to teach trauma-sensitive yoga
• Grounding practices to use when you’re activated
• The power of personal healing in teaching and leadership
• Why society misunderstands trauma—and how we can do better
• The mission of Connection Coalition and how to get involved
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