Power, Presence & Responsibility: A Trauma-Informed Inquiry into Teacher–Student Dynamics — Miniseries part 1
By Šárka | Trauma-Sensitive Somatic Coach, Somatic Experiencing® Practitioner, and Yoga Facilitator for Women
At the heart of my work — whether I hold space through somatic coaching, Somatic Experiencing®, or trauma-sensitive yoga — lies one essential inquiry:
How do we relate to power, and how do we use it?
My sensitivity to power and its misuse has been with me for as long as I can remember. It’s what led me to study sociology fifteen years ago, and what later guided me to explore the topic of power in therapeutic relationships during my Trauma Center Trauma-Sensitive Yoga (TCTSY) training.
The more I engage with this work, the more I realize how necessary it is to stay curious about how power dynamics shape every human interaction — especially those where healing, trust, and vulnerability are present.
This blog series explores the ethics, integrity, and power dynamics in teacher–student relationships — both in yoga and in somatic practice. While my lens is rooted in TCTSY, these reflections extend to all healing practitioners and space-holders.
Why Power Matters in Yoga & Somatic Practice
Yoga is an ancient discipline, and the teacher–student relationship has evolved through centuries, shaped by diverse cultural and spiritual paradigms.
As trauma-informed facilitators, we’re called to ask:
Where do I stand in this lineage and tradition?
What power do I carry in the space I hold?
How can I use it to support autonomy and healing, rather than unintentionally reinforce harm?
Whether I’m guiding a somatic coaching session, holding space in a group class, or supporting someone through Somatic Experiencing, I strive to remain aware of the power I hold — and use it in service of empowerment.
Power Is Not the Problem — Unconscious Use Is
“Power is neither good nor evil. It just is. It's what people do with power that matters.”
— C. J. Redwine
As many relational scholars have shown, power is an inherent part of every relationship (Burgoon & Hale, 1984). I resonate with French’s (1985) definition of power as interactional — something that is co-created and dynamic, not fixed or one-sided.
Gilliane Proctor (2017) offers two foundational ideas I carry into all my work:
Power is dynamic and relational – It changes moment by moment.
Power is ubiquitous – It’s present in every relationship, whether we name it or not.
Instead of pretending power doesn't exist, I believe in naming it, understanding it, and using it ethically.
A Practical Framework: Starhawk’s Three Types of Power
To ground this work in a practical model, I use Starhawk’s (1987) three-part understanding of power:
Power-over – Domination, control, coercion
Power-from-within – Personal agency, inner strength, resilience
Power-with – Collective strength, mutual empowerment
This framework helps me stay oriented to what kind of power I am engaging in:
Am I guiding in a way that supports the person’s own sense of self?
Are we co-creating space for shared empowerment?
Am I avoiding unconscious tendencies toward hierarchy or control?
What This Means in My Practice
In both yoga and somatic coaching, I work to:
Minimize the harmful aspects of power, especially unconscious domination
Support each person’s power-from-within — their inner compass and agency
Co-create “power-with” relationships — collaborative, safe, and attuned
This is not a fixed achievement but an ongoing practice. One that asks me to stay in integrity, remain curious, and reflect on my own presence again and again.
As Gilliane Proctor wisely states:
“The aim in exploring dynamics of power is not to erase or obscure power, but to minimise the negative aspects (particularly domination) and to maximise the positives (such as collective power and using power to resist structures of domination) and to maximise the power-from-within of both the client and the therapist.”
What’s Coming Next
In the upcoming posts in this series, I’ll be exploring:
How trauma-sensitive yoga principles can apply in general yoga settings
The role of consent, language, and space in shifting power dynamics
What it means to develop a clear, compassionate, trauma-informed voice as a teacher or coach
Thank you for walking this path with me.
May we continue to grow awareness and compassion as we hold space — for ourselves and for each other.
Šárka
Šárka is the heart behind Wildflower Somatics, space holder for women on the journey back to their bodies, their rhythm, and their truth.
As a trauma-informed somatic coach for women, trauma-sensitive yoga facilitator, and Somatic Experiencing® Practitioner, she supports women in nervous system healing, embodied resilience, and soulful self-discovery — always honoring the wisdom of the body, the power of presence, and the courage it takes to feel. Her work weaves together somatics, mindfulness, and deep listening in service of sustainable inner change. With tenderness and depth, she holds space for women to root, rise, and bloom — in their own wild, gentle way.