Yoga for Trauma

Individuals with histories of trauma are often disconnected from their bodies. You may feel that being in your body feels unsafe. Many fear the painful and/or distressing sensations that arise when being fully embodied.  This can arise when doing focused breathing, mindfulness, meditation, yoga, etc. Yoga, along with other somatic techniques can teach you to befriend your body.

Yoga is a useful tool for many who fear being in their bodies. We use a slow, careful approach with teaching yoga so that you can safety learn to connect with your body. Yoga can also be useful in learning to regulate emotions and expand your window of tolerance, which basically means your ability to tolerate distress.

Yoga may be used in your individual session or in a group setting. It can be helpful to learn what poses help you to increase energy when you’re feeling dissociated, depressed, numb, etc., versus what poses help you to become calmer when you are feeling anxious, stressed, panicky, rageful, etc. There are also poses that help to restore a sense of balance in the body. Trauma survivors may benefit from yoga as a supportive practice.