Trauma affects not only the mind but also the body, often leaving survivors feeling disconnected from their physical selves. There are many treatments for trauma, and you can learn more about those in Navigating Life After Trauma: Healing and Integration. Traditional talk therapies address the cognitive and emotional aspects of trauma, but many individuals find that these approaches alone are insufficient for complete healing. Evidence-based practice such as Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) help us go deeper, although these therapies might not be able to fully release trauma stored in the body. Trauma-Sensitive Yoga (TSY) has emerged as a complementary therapeutic modality designed to bridge this gap by focusing on the body’s role in trauma recovery.
Understanding Trauma-Sensitive Yoga
Developed at the Trauma Center in Brookline, Massachusetts, by David Emerson and colleagues, TSY is an empirically validated, clinical intervention tailored for individuals with complex trauma or post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Unlike traditional yoga practices, TSY prioritizes the internal experience of participants over the external form of postures. The emphasis is on creating a safe, predictable environment where individuals can reconnect with their bodies at their own pace.
Core Principles
Empowerment Through Choice: TSY encourages participants to make choices about their movements, fostering a sense of agency that trauma often diminishes. Instructors offer options and invite individuals to notice what they feel in their bodies, reinforcing personal autonomy.
Shared Authentic Experience: Instructors engage in the practices alongside participants, modeling authentic presence and creating a sense of shared experience. This approach helps build trust and reduces hierarchical dynamics.
Body as a Resource: TSY helps individuals cultivate a positive relationship with their bodies, transforming them from sources of distress to resources for healing. By focusing on bodily sensations in the present moment, participants can develop greater self-awareness and self-regulation.
Creating Rhythms: Trauma can disrupt an individual’s internal rhythms. TSY incorporates repetitive, rhythmic movements to help reestablish a sense of predictability and safety within the body.
The Role of the Therapist
In TSY, the role of the therapist, or instructor, differs significantly from that in conventional yoga classes. Instructors are trained to create a safe, non-judgmental space, avoiding physical adjustments and instead using invitational language that emphasizes choice. For example, an instructor might say, “As you’re ready, you might begin to explore lifting your arms,” allowing participants to decide how and when to engage. This approach respects personal boundaries and acknowledges the individual’s control over their own body.
Benefits of Trauma-Sensitive Yoga
Research indicates that TSY can lead to significant improvements in trauma-related symptoms. The National Library of Medicine reviews studies that have found that participants engaging in TSY experienced a notable reduction in PTSD symptoms compared to control groups. Participants reported increased feelings of safety, improved self-regulation, and a greater sense of agency over their bodies. (West, J., Liang, B., & Spinazzola, J., 2016).
Additionally, clients who engage in TSY describe the following benefits:
Stress reduction: Yoga is an effective method of reducing feelings of anxiety, stress, and depression by calming mind and body. The practice of deep breathing, synchronizing breath to movement, and meditation activates the Parasympathetic Nervous System, the restorative branch of the Autonomic Nervous System. This counters the effects of the Sympathetic Branch, the branch which helps the body respond to crisis… we’ll get to that later. *Of course yoga can be activating, energizing, and invigorating; learning how to do this safely and following it with relaxation is one of the biggest benefits yoga offers.*
Neuroplasticity: Yoga assists a person in deepening the mind-body connection, focusing on oneself, and learning how to actively choose where to focus one’s attention. The brain is a muscle, and we can exercise just like every other muscle in our body. This process can be understood as interoception (increasing inner awareness).
Physical benefits: Yes, yoga increases flexibility, strength, and prevents injury. It is also proven to lower blood pressure, reduce cholesterol, and increase balance.
(McCall, 2014)
Implementing Trauma-Sensitive Yoga
For those interested in incorporating TSY into their healing journey or professional practice, several steps can be taken:
Seek Qualified Therapists: It’s essential to work with therapists certified in TSY or other forms of yoga therapy, as they have specialized training to address the unique needs of trauma survivors. The Center for Trauma and Embodiment offers certification programs and maintains a directory of qualified practitioners.
Create a Safe Environment: Whether practicing individually or in a group, ensure the space is welcoming, predictable, and free from potential triggers. This includes considerations like lighting, room setup, and the use (or avoidance) of music.
Emphasize Choice and Agency: In practice, continually reinforce that participants have control over their movements and participation levels. This empowerment is central to the healing process.
Integrate Mindfulness: Incorporate mindfulness techniques that encourage present-moment awareness, helping individuals reconnect with their bodies and reduce dissociative tendencies.
Trauma-Sensitive Yoga offers a compassionate and effective approach to healing, recognizing the profound connection between mind and body in trauma recovery. By fostering a safe space where individuals can explore bodily sensations and regain a sense of control, TSY serves as a valuable complement to traditional therapeutic modalities. As awareness of its benefits grows, TSY continues to pave the way for more holistic and embodied paths to healing. If you are interested in working with a therapist trained in Trauma Sensitive Yoga or other somatic approaches, reach out to Wildflower’s intake team at 312-809-0298 or by filling out an online inquiry form.
References
McCall, Timothy. “The Scientific Basis of Yoga Therapy.” Yoga Journal: Yoga Poses, Classes, Meditation, and Life. Web. 16 Mar. 2014.
West, J., Liang, B., & Spinazzola, J. (2016). Trauma-Sensitive Yoga as a complementary treatment for posttraumatic stress disorder: A qualitative descriptive analysis. International Journal of Stress Management, 24(2), 173–195. https://doi.org/10.1037/str0000040
