Trauma Sensitive Yoga Groups -
Wellington & Online
Trauma-Sensitive Yoga (TSY) is a therapeutic, evidence-based approach designed to support healing and recovery through adapted yoga practices. It integrates physical postures, mindful movement, and breathing exercises to encourage self-regulation, enhance body awareness, and foster a sense of grounding in the present moment. TSY creates a safe and supportive environment where participants can reconnect with their bodies at their own pace. The practice prioritises internal experiences over achieving specific physical poses, empowering individuals to explore sensations and make choices about their movements. By focusing on agency and body awareness, TSY aims to alleviate trauma-related symptoms, including those linked to post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), while nurturing a deeper connection to oneself and others.
The Groupwork Facilitators
The facilitators were the first in the Wellington region to offer TSY for sensitive claims clients. Since launching in 2018, they have expanded their services beyond women-only groups to include transgender-specific groups, all-gender online sessions, and one-day workshops.
Caroline Mastreani is a Yoga NZ (Level 3) and a Yoga Alliance (E-RYT) registered yoga teacher specialising in yoga for trauma. In addition to ACC SCS yoga groups, she facilitates trauma-sensitive yoga sessions throughout the community, including at the Central Region Eating Disorder Service, through Pathways Mental Health Support Services, as well as in private practice.
Denise Nassenstein has had intensive training in Dialectical Behaviour Therapy and facilitated DBT skills groups at the Wellington DHB (CCDHB) for 8 years. She is also fully trained in EMDR. She has been an approved ACC/SCS counsellor since 2015 and has been providing ACC clients with individual DBT informed therapy and EMDR to target trauma related symptoms and problems with emotion dysregulation.
Debbie Newlove is a clinical psychologist with twenty years experience working for the DHB in Wellington and she has worked in private practice since 2010. Debbie's specialties are in working with adults with trauma related challenges as well as a range of other mental health difficulties. Debbie's training is in Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, Dialectical Behaviour Therapy and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy. She completed the certificate in Trauma Sensitive Yoga therapy in 2020 and is committed to providing yoga and other body evidence-based therapies to augment her work with clients. Debbie has been a registered provider for ACC services since 2018
Lisa Oakley is a dedicated and compassionate yoga, meditation and mindfulness facilitator with over ten years of experience, offering trauma-informed, inclusive, and embodied practices to support individuals on their healing and wellness journeys. Her teaching draws from a broad spectrum of training in Hatha Yoga, Yin Yoga, Mindfulness, and Trauma Sensitive Yoga. Her approach is invitational and grounded in accessibility, creating a safe and nurturing space for individuals of al backgrounds and experiences. Having taught in various settings, including community classes, studios, retreats, universities, and international wellness events, she is passionate about sharing practices that foster resilience, self- awareness, and emotional regulation.
Una Hubbard is a certified iRest® Yoga Nidra Teacher with nearly 20 years of yoga teaching experience and 12 years of private practice as a trauma-sensitive yoga therapist. She specialises in one-on-one work with kiritaki using the evidenced-based iRest protocol for anxiety, depression and PTSD recovery. She has extensive experience managing and assisting yoga/mindfulness teacher trainings, retreats, workshops and wellness classes across many sectors. Her trauma-sensitive approach honours each individual’s unique healing journey while providing both ancient and evidence-based tools for profound healing and embodied presence. She is committed to creating spaces where choice, consent, and cultural sensitivity are paramount.
Suitable group members
All participants will need to have an accepted claim when referred to the group, and currently be in ACC SCS therapy. Group participants will be those with mild to moderate mental health issues including PTSD. The group would not be suitable for participants with acute psychotic disorders. It is essential that participants have learnt some emotion regulation/grounding skills in case they become upset or triggered in a session. These skills need to be developed with their ACC treatment provider prior to starting the yoga group. We occasionally have space for those not covered by ACC. Please get in touch if that is your situation and we can discuss.
Groups Term 2 2026
Lead Providers will need to...
The Groupwork Facilitators
The facilitators were the first in the Wellington region to offer TSY for sensitive claims clients. Since launching in 2018, they have expanded their services beyond women-only groups to include transgender-specific groups, all-gender online sessions, and one-day workshops.
Caroline Mastreani is a Yoga NZ (Level 3) and a Yoga Alliance (E-RYT) registered yoga teacher specialising in yoga for trauma. In addition to ACC SCS yoga groups, she facilitates trauma-sensitive yoga sessions throughout the community, including at the Central Region Eating Disorder Service, through Pathways Mental Health Support Services, as well as in private practice.
Denise Nassenstein has had intensive training in Dialectical Behaviour Therapy and facilitated DBT skills groups at the Wellington DHB (CCDHB) for 8 years. She is also fully trained in EMDR. She has been an approved ACC/SCS counsellor since 2015 and has been providing ACC clients with individual DBT informed therapy and EMDR to target trauma related symptoms and problems with emotion dysregulation.
Debbie Newlove is a clinical psychologist with twenty years experience working for the DHB in Wellington and she has worked in private practice since 2010. Debbie's specialties are in working with adults with trauma related challenges as well as a range of other mental health difficulties. Debbie's training is in Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, Dialectical Behaviour Therapy and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy. She completed the certificate in Trauma Sensitive Yoga therapy in 2020 and is committed to providing yoga and other body evidence-based therapies to augment her work with clients. Debbie has been a registered provider for ACC services since 2018
Lisa Oakley is a dedicated and compassionate yoga, meditation and mindfulness facilitator with over ten years of experience, offering trauma-informed, inclusive, and embodied practices to support individuals on their healing and wellness journeys. Her teaching draws from a broad spectrum of training in Hatha Yoga, Yin Yoga, Mindfulness, and Trauma Sensitive Yoga. Her approach is invitational and grounded in accessibility, creating a safe and nurturing space for individuals of al backgrounds and experiences. Having taught in various settings, including community classes, studios, retreats, universities, and international wellness events, she is passionate about sharing practices that foster resilience, self- awareness, and emotional regulation.
Una Hubbard is a certified iRest® Yoga Nidra Teacher with nearly 20 years of yoga teaching experience and 12 years of private practice as a trauma-sensitive yoga therapist. She specialises in one-on-one work with kiritaki using the evidenced-based iRest protocol for anxiety, depression and PTSD recovery. She has extensive experience managing and assisting yoga/mindfulness teacher trainings, retreats, workshops and wellness classes across many sectors. Her trauma-sensitive approach honours each individual’s unique healing journey while providing both ancient and evidence-based tools for profound healing and embodied presence. She is committed to creating spaces where choice, consent, and cultural sensitivity are paramount.
Suitable group members
All participants will need to have an accepted claim when referred to the group, and currently be in ACC SCS therapy. Group participants will be those with mild to moderate mental health issues including PTSD. The group would not be suitable for participants with acute psychotic disorders. It is essential that participants have learnt some emotion regulation/grounding skills in case they become upset or triggered in a session. These skills need to be developed with their ACC treatment provider prior to starting the yoga group. We occasionally have space for those not covered by ACC. Please get in touch if that is your situation and we can discuss.
Groups Term 2 2026
- Women’s 1-Day Workshop, Saturday 9 May 2026
- Wellington TSY Women's Lunchtime Group, Mondays 12:15pm-1:30pm, 4 May - 29 June 2026 (no class King’s Birthday 1 June)
- Wellington TSY Transgender, Non-binary, Intersex and Irawhiti Takatāpui, Online & In Person Group, Mondays, 4:45-6pm, 4 May - 29 June 2026 (no class King’s Birthday 1 June)
- Wellington TSY All Genders Online Evening Group, Wednesdays, 6-7.15pm, 6 May - 24 June 2026
- iRest Yoga Nidra Meditation & Somatic Experiencing Practices for Women: Thursdays 5.30-6.45pm, 7 May-25 June, 2026
Lead Providers will need to...
- Contact ACC to arrange approval for the client to attend the group. (i.e. provide rationale, and request attendance at “Insert Group Name" and request 16 hours of SCSGT and 1 hour of SCSGTT* with TheraMAS as the Supplier (g09852). Please request a wide date range in case attendance is postponed due to sickness or similar. *for the one day workshop, it is 9 hours of SCSGT and 1 hour of SCSGTT
- On receipt of a valid purchase order, TheraMAS will send you an eform link so that you can register your client to the correct group.
- A week or two prior to the start of the group, one of the Group Facilitators will contact the client to touch base, explain any requirements and answer any questions they may have.
