Adaptive Yoga: Healing for Every Body ft. Rodrigo Souza

On Trauma and Power with Jenn Turner, LMHC

In this profound and vulnerable conversation, Jenn and Rodrigo explore the transformative power of adaptive yoga, particularly for individuals who have experienced trauma and disability. Rodrigo shares his personal journey from a physical yoga practice to a more thoughtful, spiritual approach after his spinal cord injury. They discuss the coexistence of grief and joy, emphasizing the importance of embracing all emotions. Rodrigo also highlights the need for greater accessibility in yoga, advocating for inclusivity and education for yoga teachers to better serve individuals with disabilities. In this episode, Jenn and Rodrigo explore powerful themes of adaptive yoga, trauma, and community building; they discuss the importance of finding safety in the body, and the journey of befriending trauma and the significance of accessibility and the need for yoga to be a welcoming space for everyone.

Rodrigo Souza (he/him) is an Adaptive and Accessible Yoga teacher with experience teaching yoga to people who have undergone Trauma and disability. Rodrigo sustained a spinal cord injury after a fall accident. Through direct personal experience with traumatic injury and chronic pain, discovering the need to take charge of his recovery to optimize long-term well-being, he decided to become a Yoga teacher and teach from his own experience, creating Allihopa Accessible & Adaptive Virtual Yoga Studio where he teaches folks with a diverse range of abilities from all over the world.

He also teaches for several Non-profits, Community Centres and newly injured folks in an Active Rehabilitation Center in Sweden. Rodrigo is focused on creating a supportive community for those who have experienced trauma, loss & and disability through Adaptive & Accessible Yoga. He also leads a monthly Ambassador Mentorship program for Accessible Yoga teachers, emphasising creating a robust and supportive community for those seeking to bring Yoga to marginalised groups. The program is designed to infuse their Yoga careers with purpose and meaning by serving the underserved with love and compassion. You can find out more about Rodrigo and how to work with him by visiting allihopayoga.com or connect on Social media channels @allihopayoga.