Welcome to True North. I'm Sarah.
I started True North Yoga so that no-one would have to face the aftermath of complex trauma, in particular domestic and sexual violence, alone. I wanted to create a space where healing, and even growth, are possible and where people are in complete control of their own journey.
I believe we have the right to feel safe in our bodies, but know that trying to get there can feel hopeless.
Before starting True North, I spent ten years pursuing a career as an equine veterinary surgeon and travelling around the UK teaching Ashtanga yoga. Increasingly, I found people came to practice with me because of issues like anxiety, PTSD, depression or with other areas of their mental health. My interest in yoga began moving away from a physically focussed, posture-based practice towards exploring inwardly-focussed, therapeutic ways of working.
Trauma Sensitive Yoga combines my deep respect and love for the yoga tradition with a professional need for clinical excellence and evidence-based practice.
In 2017, my life changed forever.
Domestic abuse left me starting again; alone with my young baby in a new area.
The yoga practice I'd previously relied upon to help me remain calm and focussed in the face of life's challenges was suddenly triggering and left me feeling more anxious. Trauma Sensitive Yoga became my way of making it through this incredibly dark time.
I understand that - beyond the more obvious challenges of rebuilding a life from nothing - there are physical and emotional symptoms of trauma that can affect every aspect of our lives and make moving on seem impossible. At the same time, many of the systems we are forced to interact with (e.g. the criminal justice system, family courts, traditional mental health provision) can be hugely re-traumatising and compound feelings of powerlessness.
Book here
I am certified to facilitate Trauma Centre Trauma Sensitive Yoga (TCTSY) as an adjunctive treatment for complex and developmental trauma. TCTSY has roots in neuroscience, which has fascinated me since supervising students in Neurobiology at Cambridge University, attachment and trauma theories as well as hatha yoga. I'm also a graduate of the Teen Yoga Foundation.
Pregnancy yoga and birth/breastfeeding trauma have always been my special interests. When my second baby was born prematurely at just 4lbs shortly after I exited the family court system, I realised the profound impact on maternal and infant health that the aftermath of trauma and re-traumatising systems can cause. Pregnancy is a vital point of intersection between generations; great potential for healing occurs alongside the risk of adverse health consequences if trauma and mental health problems aren't addressed. I’m dedicated to giving control back to pregnant women and new Mums (whether or not they have a trauma history), and holding space for hope.
I'm an active member of the veterinary profession and am committed to providing education around secondary trauma to clinical professionals. Vets and medics are motivated, compassionate people and I believe trauma exposure is an important yet largely unknown contributor to the mental health issues and career burnout that affect so many of us.
At True North, we believe...
Our Team
Madeleine Wright
True North Director & Trauma Sensitive Yoga Facilitator
NHS Psychotherapist; TCTSY-F
Biography coming soon.
"For the first time in too long, I'm able to recognise and be with how my body feels. How I feel."
"I'm more aware where other people end and I begin."
- Trauma Sensitive Yoga participant
"Trauma sensitive yoga has allowed me to be vulnerable occasionally."
" I feel we've built a good connection even though we're meeting on Zoom. Your passion for trauma sensitive yoga shines, and I'm looking forward to finally practicing together in real life."
- Trauma Sensitive Yoga participants
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I love sweet bonbon. Tiramisu I love apple pie. Lollipop macaroon pastry danish. Sweet roll jujubes gummies tootsie roll fruitcake I love liquorice. Wafer chocolate halvah. Liquorice apple pie lollipop sweet roll powder. Oat cake sesame snaps marshmallow cookie jujubes. Croissant pie I love croissant cookie.
client love
next
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Cupcake ipsum dolor sit. Amet icing candy sesame snaps toffee oat cake jelly I love macaroon.
I love sweet bonbon. Tiramisu I love apple pie. Lollipop macaroon pastry danish. Sweet roll jujubes gummies tootsie roll fruitcake I love liquorice. Wafer chocolate halvah. Liquorice apple pie lollipop sweet roll powder. Oat cake sesame snaps marshmallow cookie jujubes. Croissant pie I love croissant cookie.
client love
next
"
Cupcake ipsum dolor sit. Amet icing candy sesame snaps toffee oat cake jelly I love macaroon.
I love sweet bonbon. Tiramisu I love apple pie. Lollipop macaroon pastry danish. Sweet roll jujubes gummies tootsie roll fruitcake I love liquorice. Wafer chocolate halvah. Liquorice apple pie lollipop sweet roll powder. Oat cake sesame snaps marshmallow cookie jujubes. Croissant pie I love croissant cookie.
client love
