Has anyone had success with yoga?

[rainy_daze]

The Manor Hall Trauma Centre, in Scotland

I want to go there too. It looks great. Life is so unfair :(.

@FindingMyself88 I've been looking at starting a yoga course at home that I found in a book. I wasn't aware it could potentially make me feel bad or bring up trauma.

I'm going to do it to start gently exercising, be more aware of my body, for something to do, for routine and to try to relax. My plan is to not do the poses I don't like, and ease into it. For example, only holding the poses for a little while, as 5 minutes may be far too long. So I've not had success yet, as I'm only about to start, but thank you for starting this thread. Good luck with your mindfulness, relaxation, and therapy :tup:.

 

[StellaBlue]

It's like getting on the blower to Yoda. :wacky:[

:D

Help you heal your trauma, I will.

 

[Chava]

If a pose is uncomfortable or scary (or painful), you don't have to do it, even in a class. Good teachers offer options. If none are given, go to child's pose and most yogis jst appreciate you are listening to your body...it's not something you have to do like everyone else. On my own I love doing my own poses and movements because it feels good, connects me back to my body a bit (good music helps if even good focus on body feels challenging)...and like ellienad said, it can give me a good feeling of control or power. There is much more research pointing to yoga as being a very helpful resource for trauma survivors. Whether easier to start alone, with an inspiring and gentle dvd, one-on-one with a teacher or trusted friend, or in a class, the goal is never to make trauma worse. Sometimes I have poor tolerance for yoga and have learned I need a walk instead. And there are still a few poses I never do...I just modify or totally do something different (like I will never do "reclining bound ankle"...wtf?!). So I'm never triggered, but I keep learning and moving out of my frozen existence...it helps to have a trauma-focused therapist for support alongside the new things I try on my own to make my life and my relationship to my body richer.

 

[Springer80]

I've been looking at starting a yoga course at home that I found in a book. I wasn't aware it could potentially make me feel bad or bring up trauma

I'm not having a go at you rainydaze or anyone for that matter. But I really really don't get the sentiment in this thread that anyone should be scared of yoga. I find it baffling and I think it's a misinterpretation.

I can understand people being scared of groups/being in public, or feeling self conscious: most people given the choice perhaps don't feel their most elegant with their arse sticking in the air but the person behind you isn't scrutinising how your backside looks in those pants because they have their arses in the air also. Other people go to yoga because they need to chill out too.

But the group or no group aside, yoga in itself is not stressful, it relaxes you to allow you to get closer to trauma at the point you feel able. It's not like you bend to your right and suddenly collapse into a flash back.

 

[Friday]

I'm not having a go at you rainydaze or anyone for that matter. But I really really don't get the sentiment in this thread that anyone should be scared of yoga. I find it baffling and I think it's a misinterpretation......... But the group or no group aside, yoga in itself is not stressful, it relaxes you to allow you to get closer to trauma at the point you feel able.

The bold is mine....

This is one of those things that while true for some/most... Simply isn't true for all.

As an example:

I purely and simply cannot do Yoga.
It's not just extremely stressful to my body, all 3 times I've made serious attempts I've seriously injured myself. Dislocated ribs, dislocated collarbone, seriously wrenched/sprained back.

Here's why: I have a dance/gymnastics background. Which is diametrically opposed to Yoga. Dance/Gymnastics presupposes movement, so muscles/tendons/ligaments are strengthened or stretched to that purpose. Yoga presupposes stillness... Which stretches & strengthens the opposite connective tissues.

They are subtle differences, but very very key ones. Like which way your hand is facing. Which changes the muscles, tendons, and ligaments used.

Because I have loosened certain ones (permanently), the moment that the bone is no longer held onto by the tight one? It dislocates. Because there is nothing holding onto it!!!

A lot of former gymnasts & dancers try yoga... And the first thing that happens is a visceral near-panic-attack. The body can FEEL the wrongness in the pose. It becomes a fight to hold it when the body is screaming no-no-no-no-no! The very LAST thing this response is, is relaxing. And if you're PTSD the body's panic at an approaching injury is more than enough to trigger a real panic attack. And if you have given up listening to your body / are disassociating as many of us do? Bam. An injury follows. Not from getting all extreme in the pose. I can put my feet behind my head as long as I'm not in a yoga pose (then my leg dislocates, been there, done that, but it popped right back in/no serious injury/I don't count that). From generally very very mild /beginner repetitions ... Which are just enough to loosen a ligament or tendon which needs to stay tight.

It's not like you bend to your right and suddenly collapse into a flash back.

Actually... Yes, it can. Not just amongst dancers/gymnasts whose bodies are screaming at them that something is wrong... But also because certain positions are trauma related. Like someone raped in downward facing dog, or someone in a car accident who had their arms twisted in a certain way, or even your own hand grabbing your wrist in a certain way.

 

[StellaBlue]

I'm not trying to be argumentative either @Springer80 , but I think there are risks of being triggered or having a flashback with yoga. Dr. van der Kolk (and others) has written extensively about the care needed with trauma-sensitive yoga. In one interview with him, he says (and I agree) "some trauma-sensitive people can feel frightfully unsafe experiencing the sensations that are evoked by certain asanas".

As @FridayJones said, some positions can be sensitive...especially those that leave a person feeling exposed (such as downward facing dog or child's pose). In van der Kolk's group, he claims they don't avoid these positions, but rather teach traumatized student how to self-regulate and stay present.

As with anything else, I'm sure it's highly individualized what triggers you or causes a flashback. I'm glad you've found yoga to be relaxing. I did Ashtanga years ago and am now working with a teacher on restorative yoga and Yoga Nidra and finding that to be a wonderful way to reconnect with my body (and to learn to relax). My teacher is trained in trauma-sensitive yoga, so she is always questioning where I am, what is comfortable (physically and emotionally), whether or not she can physically touch me. Also, for poses that are "exposing", such as a "heart opening pose", she covers my torso with a blanket, which feels very safe.

I would encourage folks to give it a try, but again, like anything else in trauma work, to approach it with safety in mind.

 

[Chava]

My concern with this thread would be creating more fear of our bodies and body experiences...and that's not to invalidate any experiences...all concerns are noteworthy. But true it's not all good or all bad...it requires us to learn about ourselves, not just the practice (and that's the beauty of it for me). For most people, yoga is a good thing with almost endless options (I never stick my a$s in the air because hyper-mobility in my over-used musician shoulder can't support downward dogs...I never do this and I never do poses that feel scary or uncomfortable...maybe I'll get to those some day). Lunar yoga is very fluid and doesn't require a load of joint stability (why I mentioned Shiva Rea, love her stuff)...and it seems to nurture the parasympathetic response. Yin yoga is slow, meditative, and involves working more with deep connective tissues. All kinds. Anyone interested should definitely do a little study, maybe watch a video first to see what "feels" right...and just try what looks safe, nourishing, or fun.

I think it's helpful to share so much diverse experience. Though we individually have had good or bad experiences, yoga isn't black or white, all good or all bad, but has proven effective for some as a resource in healing and being more embodied...I think anyone interested deserves to give it a shot and if it doesn't feel right search and learn about a variety of forms (or try a different mind-body/somatic practice like qigong, t'ai chi, pilates...). To do any of this safely requires a commitment to listening to our bodies...so valuable. I had tuned down all dials and was piling on too many health consequences and feeling further disempowered. I had to give up a symphony contract because of relentless joint instability and wear-and-tear in my shoulders. Yoga has been more helpful than physical therapy for me (minus the moves I can't do or need to modify). And with less music performance in my life it gives me another way to feel centered and connected.

 

[rainy_daze]

@FridayJones I see your points. We take responsibility for our own healing ultimately. If yoga doesn't work for you, because of the kind of exercise you're used to or better designed to do, then fair enough.

I have the benefit of finding an old book. It has 40 poses in it. I already said

My plan is to not do the poses I don't like

which means I can choose whatever ones I like and discard the rest. Maybe you couldn't do that in a yoga group? Although I don't see why you couldn't just join in the poses you felt comfortable with, and ignore the rest.

I will get to practice in the comfort of my own home. I will get to slow down, be in touch with my body and try something, instead of always talking about trying.

I take the warnings on board, but if it's all too much, I will just stop. If I injure myself, well, I've already done that. If I have a flashback, I'll be surprised. Yoga, for me, is supposed to be about helping me manage chronic pain. I was never expecting it to bring up trauma. Which is what I meant @Springer80 , when I said I wasn't aware it could make me feel bad. I'm planning on doing it to feel physically better and calmer. I didn't think there were any potential triggers for me personally.

I would encourage folks to give it a try, but again, like anything else in trauma work, to approach it with safety in mind

Yes, well said.

I think @FindingMyself88 is looking for answers regarding success with yoga, websites and videos.

If you have had success, can you share some tips or maybe some websites where you can get free/cheap videos?

I'm worried this could go off topic if we have a debate about the potential dangers of yoga (there is always the option to start a thread dedicated to that). In the book I have there are warnings about the poses and when to seek a professional instructor. I think I'll be fine. FM88, you're in therapy, so that's good. If anything comes up, you have a professional there.

The book I'm using is a massage and yoga encyclopedia. I wonder if there might be a website that will have yoga poses you can look at to plan which ones to do, @FindingMyself88 ? Just a thought. When I looked on youtube there were so many videos, I didn't know where to start.

 

[skibird]

I was introduced to yoga last year while I was at a rehabilitation center. At first I wanted nothing to do with it but I have to admit that it has changed my life. I have started going to classes around 6 months but they have to be small and I have to feel comfortable with the instructor teaching the class. Yoga and meditation has been life changing for me. It relaxes me and calms me down though I am still working on paying attention to me and my yoga experience instead of focusing on everybody else taking the class. I wish you the best of luck. For free videos I would suggest Amazon Instant Videos or else try the websites Myyogaworks or Gaiamtv. The last 2 websites offer both yoga and meditation videos.

 

[Friday]

@rainy_daze

Si si si.

I didn't post originally, because it's definitely a minority of us who have this issue... And also because I agree (yikes, as I hope I said) that these sorts of things DO work for most people.

It's the "most" that's pretty key.

When people start saying that something is always this, and does this for everyone... That I get all compelled to do the "Nothing works for everyone, or works the same way for everyone" speech. ;). Especially when something is life altering lay wonderful for one person, it can be hard to see how it might not be that way for everyone. You know? Like dogs. Even though dogs tend to be great for PTSD, some people's trauma involved a dog. Or they're allergic. Then it's no bueno. But there isn't something inherently wrong with either that person or with dogs. It's just a thing.

There are some good reasons, not to be afraid, but to be aware of before going in. If only to know that you're not a failure, or "doing it wrong" if instead of being on the majority, you're in the minority. It's just a thing. Sometimes people's bodies aren't set up for certain sports, and other times memories get locked to physical action. There's nothing wrong with that. Or even innately scary, once you realize it's not your fault. It just is. Like knowing ahead of time that XYZ are common triggers before you go do XYZ.