Overcoming Trauma through Yoga

Survivors of trauma-whether from abuse, accident, or war-can end up profoundly wounded, betrayed by their body for failing to get them to safety and for causing them pain. In order to fully heal from trauma, a connection must be made with oneself, including oners"s body. The trauma-sensitive yoga described in this book expands beyond traditional talk therapies that only focus on the mind to bring the body into the healing process. This allows trauma survivors to cultivate a friendly relationship to their body through gentle breath, mindfulness, and movement practices. Yoga and Traumabegins with an in-depth description of trauma and PTSD, and moves on to the features and key themes of trauma-sensitive yoga, a modified yoga program developed by yoga teacher David Emerson and medical doctor Bessel van der Kolk. The book identifies the five areas that require modification in order for a class to be trauma-sensitive. Mindfulness, breathing, and yoga exercises that can be used by home practitioners, yoga teachers, and therapists are offered as a way to cultivate patience, tolerance, and an increased awareness of the self. Rounded out by valuable case stories, the book presents individual plans for working with different populations including military veterans, children, teenagers, and the elderly. An illustrated appendix shows specific trauma-sensitive yoga poses.

David Emerson is the director of yoga services at the Trauma Center (traumacenter.org). In 2003 he codesigned the Trauma Center Yoga Program that includes classes and teacher training programs. He lives in Cambridge, MA. Elizabeth Hopper, PhD, is a licensed clinical psychologist specializing in traumatic stress and works as the associate director of training at the Trauma Center. She lives in Somerville, MA.