Movement is increasingly recognised as a key part of trauma recovery, which is reflected in the Illawarra Women’s Trauma Recovery Centre’s expanded movement programs.
Research in trauma and neuroscience shows that trauma is not only processed cognitively but also experienced in the body, influencing how the nervous system responds to stress and safety.
Gentle, guided movement has been found to support the regulation of these responses, helping to reduce overwhelm and promote a greater sense of stability.
At the Illawarra Women’s Trauma Recovery Centre, these evidence-informed approaches are embedded across a range of trauma-informed movement programs, designed to support women in reconnecting with their bodies in a safe and manageable way.
“These classes are about choice, agency and enjoyment,” says Movement and Mobility Coach Jean Alvisse.
“There’s nothing to get right and nothing you have to keep up with. It is different to working with a personal trainer or in a gym environment. You get to decide what’s right for your body.”
The Centre’s new groups include Foundations for Strength, Move with Confidence, and a beginner’s martial arts class. Each program is designed to meet women where they are, with a focus on gentle coordination, balance, and building strength over time.
The Mind Body Connection group continues to play an important role, focusing on slow, mindful exercises that help participants reconnect with their bodies and nervous systems.
The group focuses on embodied movement, a conscious bodily practice that connects the body and mind, focusing on internal sensations rather than external appearances, it uses movement to increase self-awareness, improve emotional regulation, reduce trauma, and improve physical functioning.
Sessions often begin with breathing and awareness, supporting women to move out of overthinking and into physical sensation.
“The sessions are designed to help women get out of their head space and to drop into their body,” Jean explains. “Everything’s done really slowly.”
“There’s a strong body of research behind this approach,” Jean says. “It shows that when you tune into physical sensations, it helps calm the nervous system and reduce that constant sense of stress. That’s why everything we do is slow and intentional.”
The Centre’s movement space and its classes are available to women currently receiving support through the Centre.
Movement Groups
- Mind Body Connection: Tuesdays at 10am.
- Self Compassion: Tuesdays at 11.30am
- Self Care: Mondays at 10am.
- Foundations for Strength: Wednesdays
- Move with Confidence: Fridays
Contact us for information about the groups on 4243 9800.