Trauma

The Moving to End Sexual Assault program is offering trauma-informed yoga classes, providing a safe environment for trauma victims to connect with their minds and bodies, at their Lafayette offices.

MESA is a sexual violence resource center that gives support to sexual assault survivors in Boulder County. A Mental Health Partners program, it offers services such as training and prevention courses, medical and legal support and therapy — and, the trauma-informed yoga.

MESA Director Janine D’Anniballe, a licensed phycologist and specializes in sexual assault, traumatic stress and treatment for survivors, is also an instructor for the yoga program.

"The issue of sexual violence is so pervasive," D’Anniballe said.

D’Anniballe defined sexual assault as any unwanted sexual contact or exposure. According to D’Anniballe, this can be any unwanted sexual touch — and can also include unwanted sexually explicit photos, forcefully given or shown to a person.

She said that unfortunately, sexual assault and violence is a recurrent problem and it causes a great deal of harm. Both men and women can be victims of sexual assault and those people then need to go through the rest of their lives and try to feel safe again, she said.

While MESA's ultimate goal is to end sexual violence, D’Anniballe said that in the meantime, her program will provide support and resources to sexual violence survivors.

D’Anniballe explained that trauma-informed yoga is simply yoga, taught through the lens and awareness that the students have experienced trauma.

"People are bringing all their bad experiences to the mat," she said.

She said that trauma-informed yoga focuses on mindful movement aimed to reset the nervous system. D’Anniballe noted that when dealing and coping with trauma, the nervous system may get "bumped offline and dysregulated" and people may be out of their own body or depersonalized. Trauma-informed yoga aims to reunite the mind and body.

D’Anniballe said her classes are not about nailing a pose or getting a workout in. While her classes may have students work up a sweat, she said, it is really about having a non-competitive, low-stakes class that focuses on mindfulness.

"The goal isn't to burn a lot of calories and get sculpted. The goal is to gently and safely come back into the body," D’Anniballe said.

The trauma-informed yoga classes are open to the public, both men and women. Classes are held at 4 p.m. every Tuesday in the MESA yoga studio, 1455 Dixon Ave. in Lafayette, or on Zoom. Mats and yoga equipment are provided or in-person attendees. There is a $25 fee to join all four classes.

D’Anniballe said all people can do a lot toward helping sexual assault survivors, and help prevent it as well. Something as simple as treating people fairly and kindly, and calling out unwanted sexual behavior can help, she said.

D’Anniballe also said that MESA provides other resources to sexual violence survivors. MESA has two main programs, prevention education programs and client services. She said prevention education programs teach ways to prevent sexual violence and teach how to respond to those situations. Client services programs provide therapy, victim advocacy and help.

Christine Rinke, Chief Trial Deputy for the Sex Crimes Unit of the Boulder County District Attorney's office, said she regularly works alongside MESA. She said MESA is a confidential program, and that the District Attorney's office refers sexual assault survivors to use its resources.

"They are an incredible resource for the Boulder County community. Our dedicated Sex Crimes Unit often calls upon MESA's expertise in supporting victims and in presenting expert testimony at trial," Rinke said.

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