Dr Sean Feit Oakes is a teacher and practitioner specialising in the integration of Buddhism, Haṭha Yoga, trauma resolution, and social justice.
He has trained extensively in Theravāda, Zen, and Vajrayāna Buddhist traditions, including a period as an ordained monk in Burma. Authorised to teach Insight Meditation by Jack Kornfield, Dr Oakes also holds certifications in Haṭha Yoga and trauma therapies such as Somatic Experiencing and Organic Intelligence.
His academic background includes a PhD in Performance Studies from UC Davis, where he focused on states of consciousness in Buddhist meditation and experimental dance.
Dr Oakes' work emphasises the importance of understanding the cultural and historical contexts of these practices, aiming to address issues of appropriation and colonialism in Western adaptations.
By integrating contemplative practices with trauma awareness and social justice, he offers a holistic approach to healing and personal transformation.
Yoga International share his course on Trauma-Informed yoga, where he highlights why trauma-informed yoga is crucial, both for yoga teachers and individuals who have experienced trauma. In this course, he explains that traditional yoga and meditation instructions often assume a sense of ease with inward focus—such as sitting comfortably, closing the eyes, and bringing attention inward. However, for those dealing with trauma symptoms, these instructions can be challenging, triggering, or even impossible to follow.
Why Trauma-Informed Yoga Matters
Trauma can leave a person’s nervous system in a heightened state of vigilance, making it difficult to feel safe. His course discusses how trauma survivors often develop a habit of focusing on potential threats—a survival mechanism known as "what’s wrong attention." This means their nervous system is constantly attuned to danger, making traditional yoga and meditation approaches, which emphasise inward focus, potentially unsettling.
Instead, trauma-informed yoga encourages orientation to the environment first, using senses like sight and sound to create a feeling of safety. This helps practitioners regulate their nervous system by acknowledging their surroundings rather than immediately turning inward, which might feel unsafe.
Why Yoga Teachers Should Consider This Approach
Yoga teachers can create a more inclusive and supportive environment by adjusting their instructions to be more trauma-sensitive. This includes:
- Offering choices rather than rigid directives (e.g., "You may close your eyes, or keep them open if that feels safer for you").
- Encouraging external focus before internal reflection, helping students feel safe in their surroundings.
- Understanding that trauma survivors may struggle to shift out of a state of hyper-vigilance and need gentle, gradual techniques to reconnect with feelings of ease.
Why Trauma Survivors Might Benefit from This Practice
For individuals experiencing trauma symptoms, this approach offers a pathway to healing by gradually retraining the nervous system. Instead of being stuck in a cycle of hyper-awareness to threats, trauma-informed yoga encourages:
- Redirecting attention toward neutral or positive aspects of the environment.
- Creating a sense of safety before engaging in deeper self-awareness.
- Supporting nervous system regulation, allowing for a shift from survival mode to a state of relaxation and ease.
By integrating these principles, trauma-informed yoga becomes a powerful tool for self-regulation and healing, offering a safe and accessible way for individuals to reconnect with their bodies and regain a sense of control.
If you are interested in learning more, or would like support with your own practice, please don't hesitate to contact Happy Citta.
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