How Does Trauma Sensitive Yoga Therapy Work?
First, a chronic illness, fatal accident, natural catastrophe, and physical harassment all have something in common. These are traumatic events that can alter a person’s life through lack of sleep, increased nervousness, sadness, anger, etc. As well, some people may also show withdrawal symptoms from their daily lives. While these feelings die over time, these memories never go away. And, memories from trauma can haunt you all your life. Overall, experiencing trauma these can lead to acute stress disorders, depression, PTSD, or other mental health conditions.
To start, book a phone consult using the button below to work with a PTSD specialist, trauma specialist and holistic yoga therapist.
Wisdom Within Counseling specializes in child and adult trauma counseling and yoga therapy.
How does trauma change the brain and how does trauma sensitive yoga therapy help?
Often, people have different ways to cope with trauma incidents. Some tell their close ones about it, while others will seek therapy if they notice that the symptoms are worsening. Others, especially men, will take negative measures where they choose to ignore the memories. And, when they can’t, they indulge in alcohol and substance abuse. As well, alcoholism and drug addiction can stem from trauma experiences. Then, these negative behaviors brings more harm than good. Often, these traditional ways of coping with trauma don’t work. Instead, they are numbing behaviors. Lastly, you can engage in trauma–sensitive yoga instead of getting into violence or substance abuse.
What is Trauma-Sensitive Yoga Therapy?
To add, trauma-sensitive yoga therapy is a holistic understanding of trauma. And, understanding how trauma impacts both the mind and the body. It is different from other therapies used in trauma treatment in that they only focus on the mental aspect. It views trauma as an event that happened in the past and its effects on the brain, mind, and physical body, which the individual experiences even in the present.
Whether the trauma one is experiencing arises from a single occurrence or multiple incidences, they both interfere with the nervous system’s functioning. Usually, in a life-threatening situation, the nervous system responds by enhancing the flight, fight, or freeze mode, protecting the person from harm.
Stress from PTSD wears on your nervous system
The same reaction happens when a person is stressed. If the nervous system cannot evoke these responses, this is when the individuals suffer from trauma. The individual develops physiological or psycho-emotional imbalance, making them feel too anxious, trapped, or unsafe in their bodies.
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When dealing with people suffering from trauma, mental health professionals might find regular therapy insufficient. This is because it only entails viewing the cognitive and behavioral changes and their impact on the body, which is the most crucial. Trauma can impact the physical body by, for instance, inhibiting a person’s ability to talk, process, and remember present happenings. Therefore, when treating trauma, the mental professional should begin by readjusting the person to their own body to reduce pain and mark the healing process’s beginning.
Trauma-Sensitive yoga poses to get rid of the trauma.
Trauma-sensitive yoga therapy helps individuals respond to the incident positively to regain their normal physical and mental state by activating the nervous system. Trauma alters the normal functioning of various body parts. Yoga exercises and poses involved seek to relieve these ‘stuck’ parts and regain their normal functioning. Here are different trauma-sensitive yoga poses and specific parts that they are useful for;
Bound angle poses for the pelvis.
This is commonly known as the cobbler’s pose. Whenever we feel threatened or worried, a lot of pressure is directed to the pelvis. A five minutes cobbler’s pose will help relax the hips and lengthen the spine. For a perfect bound angle pose, sit with your feet together and your knees open to each side, such that your butt lays ground. Keep your heels tightly held on each other and extend your thighs in opposite directions as much as you can. Keep your body lifted from the lower part of the spine and take a few deep breaths in this position.
Pond pose for the diaphragm.
In a terrifying situation, one of the most affected functions is breathing. We either have paced breathing or are unable to breathe due to tension in the chest cavity. In order to retain maximum capacity, the diaphragm should move freely—normal breathing results in a calm nervous system, which translates into less anxiety and tensed feelings. To achieve a proper pond pose, lie on your back with your legs straight and thighs pressed on the floor. Stretch your arms such that they are over your head. Uplift your rib cage until you form suction on your belly. Stay in this position for a few minutes until you feel your rib cage stretches fully.
Pyramid pose for the hamstrings.
Hamstrings form a significant part when the nervous system evokes the flight or fight mode. Hence, in a traumatic event, these parts hold in a lot of pressure from the grief and heaving emotions one carries. Doing the pyramid pose will release the hamstrings and the surrounding muscles and increase your feet and core strength. A perfect pyramid pose is built from the feet going up. It involves bending forward and backward and balancing. Achieving it is quite challenging and will require extreme focus while maintaining a relaxed mind to correct angles and balance. Since it involves intense stretches, do not practice it with injured hamstrings.
Arm swings for shoulders
Everyone knows that fright and worry result in tensed shoulders. It is a reflex that happens whenever a person is in shock. Depending on the severity of the situation, shoulder tension can go away quickly or remain for an extended period. To relax them, move your arm wholesomely up and down and from side to side. For better results, supplement it with the mountain pose.
To begin, book a phone consult using the button below to work with a trauma specialist and yoga therapist. Wisdom Within Counseling specializes in PTSD therapy, trauma counseling and trauma informed yoga therapy.
Conclusion about sensitive yoga therapy in Connecticut
Unlike regular yoga, where the facilitator tells the people what to do, everything is inviting and optional in trauma-sensitive yoga. People have the liberty to choose what they think will work to ease their experience. It allows the individual to understand his or her body and mind in a personal way. When used together with psychotherapy, it alleviates the trauma symptoms significantly and enables an individual to lead a more positive life.
