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Trauma-informed care is an incredibly important and rapidly growing industry in the United States, especially after the pandemic. Industries are finding ways to help those who are hurting not just talk about their pain, but help them move through it.
At Valley Self-Defense, all of our instructors have been trained in trauma-informed care by a local trauma-informed educator. We understand that certain moves and techniques can sometimes be empowering and sometimes be traumatic, depending on where you are in your journey of healing. We want to give you confidence, but we don’t want to re-traumatize you - and that can be a fine line to walk.
Communication is key
When it comes to trauma, there can be no surprises. We will offer options that feel safe for you and eventually work up to getting you out of your comfort zone. But when we start, we want you to know that you have control in this situation.
We’ve been trained to recognize trauma triggers…
Sometimes it’s a look in a person’s eye or it can be a tremor in someone’s hand. Sometimes it’s the way someone responds to a question or the way we can see them moving away from a group or pulling inwards. But we can see when you are beginning to feel overwhelmed.
...and how to help you move through them
Using breathing techniques, 5-4-3-2-1, tapping, and talk, we can help bring you back to the present moment. We can help you bring yourself back to your body if you’re dissociating. We can discuss what works best to bring you back to calm.
We work to show you not what’s wrong with you, but what’s strong with you
More than anything, we want every person who steps on our mat to understand that there is no embarrassment in traumatic reactions. There is no shame. We understand the strength it took you to come to our gym.
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You are welcome. No matter your age, your gender identity, your physical fitness, or what you've experienced - there is a place for you at Valley Self-Defense.
Our community is more than just our students, but also our neighbors. From holiday events to blood drives, movie nights to narcan training, from virtual happy hours to trunk or treat, our goal is to be more than just a gym, but a place where people can come together.
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