Yoga to help treat trauma & PTSD
Breathe in and out. Namaste!
Yoga has been used for quite sometime to help the individual ground themselves back to the central point when life is chaotic and they have lost focus on the important things. We have found that yoga can be,p those that have gone through some type of traumatic event and even for the treatment, individuals in the prison system and even PTSD.
PTSD is a very complex and challenging illness that can take over the lives of those who are affected. The use of Yoga for these individuals helps them by working both mind and body to form a focus point where the individual can feel a sense of safety and belonging. Yoga combines with psychology techniques we are able to see an improvement for these individuals and their recovery from their traumatic events.
I am a believer of Yoga to help not only treat PRSD but also other psychological and physiological illnesses. The way it help the individual focus and recenter allows the brain and body to sort of reset a little allowing the person to pause and gain mindfulness within their daily lives. We have seen the effects of Yoga within the prison system and now we see seeing it with the treatment of post traumatic stress disorder individuals. It was noted that “yoga seemed to be more effective than medicine” (Van der Kolk, 2014, pg. 209). I am sure that is many cases this is true but relying solely on one therapy could give a false sense of outcome and hope for the individuals involved. As I stated, yoga seems to be effective but it should also be used with other modalities to help increase the positive outcome of the therapy.
Rousseau, D. (2022). Module 4: Pathways to recovery: Understanding approaches to trauma treatment. Blackboard, https://onlinecampus.bu.edu/bbcswebdav/pid-9960461-dt-content-rid-63971458_1/courses/22sprgmetcj720_o2/course/module4/allpages.htm
van der Kolk, B. A., MD. (2014). The body keeps the score: Brain, mind, and body in the healing of trauma. Penguin.