Yoga and Trauma
Trauma stems from a disturbing experience that has a long-lasting effect on an individual’s well-being. Van Der Kolk emphasizes that trauma imprints on the nervous system, it’s not just a memory. Van Der Kolk states that self-awareness is “at the core of recovery” and that traditional talk-therapy is not a significant approach to treatment due to not properly addressing trauma within the body. (Van Der Kolk, 2014) Victims may feel like they’re trapped in their bodies and are unable to calm down even if danger has passed or if there’s no danger at all. Yoga therapy allows victims to control their movement, breath, and mindfulness and victims can move at their own pace. Yoga also allows victims to feel safe within themselves and have a reliable support system. Victims often struggle with finding a structured and supportive system, and yoga allows them to rely on themselves and be in control.
Yoga as a complementary therapy has only been utilized within the last 20 years and is used for pain management along with individuals that have psychological diagnoses. Trauma-informed yoga is often practiced with trauma survivors and typically touch is not involved but can be introduced once the individual consents to it and it can be used as a supportive presence. (Rousseau, 2025) Commands and demands are not integrated in yoga as a whole, rather it invited the mind and body to connect and unify. A study involving sixty-four women who had chronic, treatment-resistant PTSD was conducted by Van Der Kolk et al, (2014) and they were either assigned to trauma-informed yoga or supportive women’s health education. Results showed that 16 of 31 participants that were in the trauma-informed yoga group no longer met PTSD criteria, whereas 6 of 29 participants in the women’s health education group no longer met the criteria. (Van Der Kolk et al, 2014) Another study shows that incarcerated individuals also benefited from yoga. (Rousseau et al, 2024) The final results were that their stress decreased by 41%, mood increased by 30%, and there was an increase of self-growth.
More research and studies need to be conducted for additional support on how yoga has a positive effect on trauma and trauma treatments. However, studies that have been conducted show positive results and that it has positively impact on trauma victims. Victims are able to connect mentally and physically with themselves after trauma caused them to dissociate with themselves.
References:
Rousseau, D. (2025). Module 3: Neurobiology of Trauma. [Module Notes]. Blackboard, Boston University.
Rousseau, D., Bourgeois, J. W., Johnson, J., Ramirez, L., & Donahue, M. (2024). Embodied resilience: a quasi-experimental exploration of the effects of a trauma-informed yoga and mindfulness curriculum in carceral settings. International Journal of Yoga Therapy, 34(2024), Article-2.
Van der Kolk, B. A. (2014). The Body Keeps the Score: Brain, Mind, and Body in the Healing of Trauma
Van der Kolk BA, Stone L, West J, Rhodes A, Emerson D, Suvak M, Spinazzola J. Yoga as an adjunctive treatment for posttraumatic stress disorder: a randomized controlled trial. J Clin Psychiatry. 2014 Jun;75(6):e559-65. doi: 10.4088/JCP.13m08561. PMID: 25004196.