Want to heal from trauma? Sign-up for a yoga class.

   What does yoga have to do with healing from trauma? Actually, a lot, according to both ancient texts and contemporary research.

     Yoga is an ancient holistic practice that originated in India more than 4,000 years ago. It includes ethics, meditation, breathing, movement, diet and other approaches for keeping body healthy and mind sane to help the seeker achieve spiritual enlightenment. In our days in the West, yoga mostly covers physical exercises, some breathing techniques and some meditation. Many people think of the folks practicing yoga as “flexible pretzels” and feel intimidated by the idea of a class. But yoga class does not have to be scary or challenging. There are many types of yoga, such as subtle, gentle, restorative, or yin that people with any fitness level can practice.

     Trauma affects individuals on all levels: physical, emotional, spiritual, and social. It also has profound effects on the functioning and even structure of our brains. According to a number of researchers (Ogden et al., 2006; van der Kolk, 2006), during traumatic events our cortex and frontal lobes get overloaded and shut down, while brain stem and amygdala carry on and get hyperactivated, which results in person’s inability to process trauma verbally and cognitively, as well as increased arousal and anxiety. 
     Talk therapy, which is often used, to address consequences of trauma has pretty serious limitations given aforementioned effects of trauma on brain. However, yoga, which is a holistic approach, has an ability to effect change on the level of brain stem and amygdala. Research shows that regular practice of yoga leads to decrease in anxiety, improved mood, increased ability to self-regulate, and restoration of biological rhythms (Brown & Gerbarg, 2009; Spinazzola et al., 2011).

     In my own experience of using yoga in the group treatment of trauma survivors, the regular practice is associated with increased sense of safety, ability to change state from depressed and anxious to more joyful and calm, enjoyment of being in one’s own body, and decreased level of anxiety and stress.

     There are many ways to start and develop your own yoga practice. Attending yoga classes is the easiest way to go. However, if you don’t have a yoga studio or GYM with yoga classes, you may want to purchase a yoga DVD. Below are some of the places and items that I recommend. Of course, you are welcome to do your own research. There are a lot of options available in our days.

     If you live in Knoxville, TN or surrounding area, check out my yoga classes at http://www.dr-irina.com/Wellnessclasses.en.html. There is a wonderful yoga studio, Glowing Body, in the Old City with multiple yoga classes every day of the week: http://www.glowingbody.net/. Aspen Health and Healing Center offers yoga classes in Oak Ridge: http://www.aspenhealthnow.com/ . If you live outside of Knoxville area, check out yoga journal directory for teachers & studios in your area: http://www.yogajournal.com/directory/.

     Here are some of the good yoga DVDs:

·       Yoga for beginners & stress relief: http://www.amazon.com/Beginners-Stress-Relief-Essential-Inflexible/dp/B001HAO8NM/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1339380511&sr=8-1&keywords=yoga+DVD

·       Yoga for depression with Amy Weintraub: http://www.amazon.com/LifeForce-Yoga-Beat-Blues-Level/dp/B000MMMWMU/ref=sr_1_6?s=movies-tv&ie=UTF8&qid=1339380770&sr=1-6&keywords=yoga+DVD+depression+anxiety

·       Viniyoga for anxiety with Gary Kraftsow: http://www.amazon.com/Viniyoga-Therapy-Beginners-Advanced-Kraftsow/dp/B005JJ0EL2/ref=sr_1_3?s=movies-tv&ie=UTF8&qid=1339380770&sr=1-3&keywords=yoga+DVD+depression+anxiety

     If you think that you cannot practice yoga, I suggest you watch the following video for inspiration and motivation: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bIXOo8D9Qsc – Arthur’s Transformation – Never give up. It features a man with both physical and psychological trauma, who used a power of yoga to help himself heal.