My explanation of Trauma Sensitive Yoga
Talking Therapy is not enough for PTSD
There is a growing recognition that trauma is not just memories of an event but is
also remembered and stored within the body.
Leading trauma theorists, such as Bessel van der Kolk, Judith Herman, Arielle Schwarz and Peter Levine,
all advocate incorporating a somatic approach to trauma healing. As many symptoms of trauma are somatically based, trauma treatment must incorporate the body The mind and the body are both significantly impacted by trauma and traditional talk therapy alone may not be effective at addressing
the physical or somatic symptoms of trauma.
Trauma sensitive yoga (TSY) is a specialized form of yoga that helps people
who have experienced trauma or may have a diagnosis of PTSD. Yoga is already
well known for it benefits to general health and wellbeing, but research has
demonstrated that when TSY is practiced regularly there can be a reduction in
symptoms of trauma and PTSD, particularly when used alongside traditional
therapy.
Why does it work?
When someone experiences trauma we know that it can cause their brain to
function differently, and historically treatment has solely focused on the mind.
However, recent developments in neuroscience and psychological theory have
taught us that the body is just as affected by trauma and that every single cell
can hold on to ‘trauma-memories’.
Human beings have amazing instincts that work to protect us by reacting
incredibly fast, even before our brain has fully processed what is happening.
Unfortunately, after a traumatic experience these instincts do not settle down,
and our body can remain on high alert. Over time this can overwhelm the
nervous system and sufferers can feel like they have lost all sense of control or
safety.
By practicing TSY we are helping people to spend time reconnecting with their
body and work to ease these instinctive trauma memories.
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