Healing through yoga
The client called to report that she had had a stroke. Further, she told us that she believed that if it had not been for the skills she had learned in my Trauma-Sensitive Yoga group, she might not have had a positive outcome.
Her story: She came home from church one day and felt sick—which family members attributed to her panic attacks. But she decided to use the “body scan” that we had used in group sessions and noticed that this experience did not feel like her previous panic attacks. She therefore called 911; by the time EMS arrived she was unable to move her arm. She continued to use breathing techniques to remain calm so that, in the ER, she could explain her symptoms to a physician.
After listening to her, he was concerned that she may be having a stroke and immediately ordered the appropriate tests. It was determined that she did have a stroke and hospital staff members were able to treat her promptly.
I am happy to say she did not have any long-term effects from the stroke and is doing well today.
That story may be an extreme example, but it nevertheless underscores what I believe is the value of something called Trauma-Sensitive Yoga.
What exactly is Trauma-Sensitive Yoga?
Rather than traditional yoga therapy, the work I do is called Trauma-Sensitive Yoga, which I do in individual sessions as well as in groups.
Trauma-Sensitive Yoga is a body-based therapy for those who have been affected by trauma. In recent years, research has shown that trauma has a deep and long-lasting effect on the entire person. In fact, the body’s physiological systems are changed as well as the brain. Clinicians now understand that people need to be treated as a whole, which includes body-based treatments.
Trauma-Sensitive Yoga provides a structured approach that helps foster an internal sense of safety, sense of control and choice. The approach cultivates our capacity for self-awareness and self-regulation through breath work, meditation and poses. We know that trauma affects regulation, attachment and sense of identity…
- Trauma-Sensitive Yoga addresses regulation by generating awareness of sensation and awareness of internal experiences, increasing tolerance for distress and providing clients with the ability to calm down.
- Attachment is addressed through yoga by relational development rituals, co-regulating with others, establishing boundaries and participating in a group.
- Trauma-Sensitive Yoga addresses self-identity by helping clients make decisions, giving them a sense of control, building self-confidence and self-efficacy, teaching awareness of internal sensations and integrating trauma.
What Trauma-Sensitive Yoga is not are strange and crazy poses!
What does a typical class look like and how long is it?
My class is normally between an hour-and-one-half and two hours. We begin the group by determining if anyone has been able to use skills gained outside of our group. Next, we do a segment of psycho-social education through which clients learn how their bodies have been changed as a result of the trauma they experienced. Afterward, we use group time for experiential practice and finish with what we call “processing time.”
Who can benefit from it?
This type of yoga is particularly useful for those diagnosed with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder and even more helpful for those with complex trauma—meaning multiple experiences of traumas over an extended period of time. The approach is very useful for clients battling “regulation”—meaning those who struggle with self-harm, eating disorders, and suicide ideation. There are no physical requirements, so everyone is able to participate. Modifications are made for those who need to remain seated.
Why is it so popular?
This one is easy—because it works!
Many of the clients who have participated in this group have experienced a lot of traditional therapy but felt as if there was something missing. The experience is a way to provide clients with effective skills they can use immediately—giving them a sense of hope and accomplishment very quickly.
What changes have you observed in some of your clients?
Beyond the woman who experienced a stroke, many of my clients have reported the ability to manage more effectively difficult and overwhelming emotions. In fact, several of them report that using the skills we learned has given them a sense of being able to move past the “damage” and take control of their lives.
Susan Decker, LPC
Mental Health Therapist
Diakon Family Life Services
Because we review comments, they do not appear immediately. Please do not submit each comment more than once. Please review our comment policy.
