When working with trauma one generally needs a multidimensional approach. Many traditional approaches offer part of the therapy that supports people who have experienced trauma and help work through the process. For example, talk therapy or physiotherapy. While these therapies can help us understand our experience in a cognitive or physiological way, integrating yoga therapy can help to reshape our physical, mental, and emotional response to triggers on all levels of our being. Addressing all aspects of our being is important for healing. When we work with all parts of our self, we discover unique approaches that are essential to our personal healing.
In my therapeutic practice, I have found this combination to be extremely effective for those suffering with trauma based issues. The samskaras, or patterns, through in the body, breath, mind, and heart can be worked with to shift overactive reactions to triggers. This means, in my experience, that all trauma survivors can greatly benefit from a body-based approach to shift these patterns. Those healing from injury can benefit from the addition of spiritual or contemplative approach. This can be movement, shapes, various breath practices or other body awareness approaches like meditation or mantra. We can combine techniques to create a holistic approach when healing psychological (mental or emotional), physical (injury or surgery) and spiritual triggers.
