Benefits Of Therapeutic Yoga

[d-art13]

Any thoughts on the benefit of therapeutic yoga for symptom relief from anxiety and PTSD? Has anyone tried it? Just curious to see if it works in reducing trauma related symptoms. Im thinking of trying it out :)

 

[somethingsomething]

I looooove yoga. It has helped me a lot. It keeps me grounded and reminds me how to breathe when I have trouble. It's also helped me regain my attention to the present and focus on positivity. My PTSD has improved quite a bit since I started incorporating yoga breathing and such into my daily routine. I still have issues obviously, but it makes it easier.

I will say though, it can be frustrating at first if you jump into something like vinyassa, hatha or power yoga. Start off with a gentle yoga class or just something soothing. Maybe even do a one-on-one session with a yoga instructor first before going to a class. And do your research. Some yoga places focus more on fitness, I recommend finding a yoga center that focuses more on wellbeing.

 

[Seasounds]

Somethingsomerhing said something :joyful: , that would've helped me. Taking one on one lessons, or getting into a very small class that goes slow, is a great idea. I wish I would've done that, at first.

Because I started in a large class, and couldn't follow the directions-as fast as they were given, I ended up being retraumatized. (An aspect of my trauma was being hit, if I moved, at all. Knowing that I wasn't moving the 'right' way , in yoga, really triggered fears. Additionally, the teachers came around and 'moved/adjusted' my body, which felt violating and triggering.

Exploring yoga poses by myself and with my movement coach (Alexander Technique teacher), has been much better for me. I can say all the good things about it, that were said, by somethingsomething. I'll stop writing before I suggest another change :cool: (my name).

 

[cherryblossom]

I'm just curious - is Therapeutic Yoga different from other yoga?

 

[d-art13]

To my knowledge it is a bit different . less physical movements and focusing more or symptom reduction through breathing and grounding techniques. I can let everyone know next week as I will be attending my 1st one then.

 

[Underdog]

Yes, there are different types and styles of yoga, so find one that suits your needs. As part of my therapy, I have been urged to seek out Trauma Sensitive Yoga and also trauma sensitive meditation instructors, specifically those with experience dealing with PTSD so they aren't caught unaware should something come up. The TS Yoga focuses on not pushing you and letting you do things at your own pace and time, no right or wrong, and utilizing supports for poses so your body continually feels supported and safe. I'm interviewing people now for it but it took a long time to find them in my area. The VA apparently is using these as well to assist patients with recovery.

 

[Underdog]

And I agree with "change". I tried working out shortly after leaving the trauma and was just re traumatized. I can't go to regular yoga classes because I will simply break and be traumatized again. The key is finding some style that works for you and don't get disappointed with yourself if a style doesn't work out. Just accept where you are and that you need something a bit different should that happen.

 

[greenleaf]

I agree about the need to find a center that focuses more on wellbeing. This can be tricky to figure out, as they all seem to mention wellbeing-related things. Most teachers seem to know that yoga traditionally is supposed to be for the person where the person is, so they will say things like that.

However, I think it's difficult for some teachers to really "get" that some people are in a very different place than they are, and whole centers can have an atmosphere like that. I would go to one center's "gentle" classes, try the adaptations given by the teacher (she'd have to stop teaching and specially come over to me, which is seriously un-relaxing for me), and I'd still end up with knees that hurt all week.

I told an ethnically Indian friend about that place, and she said that going straight into these "downward dog" type things is very American and not how a more authentic place would be; there could have been actually gentle stretches, breathing and such. I found a center that is more focused on healing and hope to go back; it's just harder to get to unfortunately.

I would try several classes and see what your feelings tell you about the place; if you feel pressured at all, like the teacher's agenda takes precedence over where you (the student) are, then it's probably not the right class and/or center. Yoga doesn't have to be like that; if it's the right place, it can really be helpful for almost everyone with ptsd I suspect.

 

[d-art13]

My first session will be one on one. I dont think I could handle it any other way right now.

 

[Hope4Now]

I went to a trauma-sensitive yoga class and it IS very different from other yoga even though some of the positions are the same (I used to do regular yoga a long time ago). For me, though, even the TS yoga class was a bit overwhelming. The Trauma Center at JRI in Boston, MA sells a yoga DVD and a book that I have found very helpful (http://www.traumacenter.org/clients/yoga_svcs.php. ) I've had to start very, very small--breathing and small movements. After months of this, I've found a few positions that feel good. It has been very hard learning not to push myself and to listen to my body regarding what feels good and what doesn't. Overall, the yoga has been enormously helpful to me both physically and emotionally. I hope you find a positive experience, @d-art13!

 

[Underdog]

D-art13, I hear you about one on one. Just not sure how I feel about being with a group (even a small one) of strangers. Further, should something happen in their presence it would just make things worse for me, especially since they would probably have no clue what was happening. I'd hate to "lose myself" and not know what I said or did later.

 

[d-art13]

@Hope4Now , @Underdog - thanks for your comments. This is going to be a whole new and slightly scary adventure.. Lol. But I want to try something that may help me in this very difficult journey. I want to feel better and find better ways to calm myself down when these feelings hit.. Thanks for the link @Hope4Now. I will definitely check it out ;)