The ancient practices of Yoga and Meditation when applied correctly are powerful tools for healing and personal transformation. Yoga for Trauma empowers participants by teaching them ways to use these tools to address the symptoms of trauma.
1) Yoga Nidra Integrative Restoration (Guided Meditation)
2) Yoga Poses (Asana)
3) Breathing (Pranayama)
4) Mantra Meditation (Japa)
5) Positive Thinking
Techniques found to be successful &
How they can be helpful:
1) iRest Yoga Nidra Guided Meditation: Practitioners are guided through a meditative experience that includes the body, breath, feelings/emotions, beliefs and then out into a peaceful state of awareness. The practice is a great way to objectively look at traumatic experiences while in a relaxed state. The practice helps individuals to safely approach their trauma, welcome their experiences on every level of being and eventually let them reveal the message they are trying to send. Healing happens naturally without any force and the participant gets to move at their own pace through the healing process. Research studies are currently being conducted on the efficacy of using Yoga Nidra for PTSD. Initial findings reveal that it helps with insomnia, chronic pain, depression, anxiety and hyper-vigilance.
2) Yoga Poses (Asana): Asanas work on many levels. When the physical body is healthy, balanced and energized, it provides fertile ground for healing to occur. The body holds onto traumatic experiences in a variety of ways. Asanas help the practitioner observe, welcome and release the physical and psychological wounds left by the traumatic experience. In our Yoga for Trauma course, we use the lens of trauma to distill out the key benefits of each asana. For instance, shoulder-stand is useful for strengthening the nervous system and balancing hormones that may have fallen out of balance after the trauma. Cobra pose is useful for strengthening the kidneys and adrenal glands, helping cope with stress and detoxification. The psychological benefits are taught throughout our courses, such as using forward folds to release the past and backbends to open to the future.
3) Breathing Exercises (Pranayama): Pranayama is an incredibly powerful tool that can be used for a variety of purposes. Certain practices are recommended for certain conditions. For instance, Anuloma Viloma (alternate nostril breathing) is extremely soothing for the nervous system. It can be used 'in the moment' to calm anxiety attacks and combat depression. More energizing practices like Kapalabhati can help break through negative thought patterns and process traumatic experiences. The practitioner learns how to use these tools in their lives to target their specific needs and also build them into a daily practice. Other breathing exercises taught are useful for combating insomnia, depression and other conditions related to PTSD.
4) Mantra Meditation (Japa): Individuals with PTSD often suffer from an sensory overload and an overactive mind that results in stress, flashbacks and anxiety attacks. Mantra meditation is extremely useful in creating new and deeper patterns in the brain to overcome the intense memories of trauma. Repetition of a mantra gives the mind something positive to hold onto in situations where an individual feels 'stuck' in their trauma. Practitioners can choose to use 'affirmations' for their mantras, such as "I am healthy, whole and complete, just as I am." They can also choose to use Sanskrit mantras. The ancient, healing vibrations of Sanskrit give increased power to the practice. Think of using a Sanskrit mantra as hitching your healing process onto a high speed train that empowers and nurtures you on every step of your journey.
5) Positive Thinking: These practices empower the practitioner to become AWARE of how their thoughts ultimately create their reality and to find the MEANING every situation presents. Deep experience and understanding of the equation:
Thoughts --> Actions --> Habits --> Character --> Destiny
unveils the anatomy of how the mind affects your entire life!
