Trauma informed yoga

[LucyLou]

Hi guys. Hope you're all good?! I just wondered if any of you have done trauma informed yoga or something along those lines, to release trauma from the body. Just something I'm thinking of starting but would like some opinions on this. I've seen some videos on YouTube that look ok, I think this is something I'd like to do by myself than a class. Thanks

 

[Lost in the Woods]

I have been working with a trainer for 17 years now. Four days a week we do yoga. She knows all about my history and each session she checks in with me at the start and adjusts the poses to my current state. I have no idea what she is doing but when I am not doing well I usually am doing better after the session. Each session is one hour. I also do a lot of other exercise too. For example today I did 40 minutes on the rowing machine at the gym as a warm up and then an hour with a trainer at the gym doing strength training. Next I have an hour and a half walk followed by an hour of yoga. It ll helps a lot with my outlook on life.

 

[arfie]

something along those lines, to release trauma from the body.

this would be the first i've heard of "trauma informed yoga," but it puts me in mind of "emotional channeling," which happens to be one of my most valuable psychotherapy tools. channeling my emotions is the quickest way i have found to release trauma, along with the hormonal toxins it releases into my system. i use yoga inspired positions and moves for many of my less energetic emotions, such as depression and grief. anger, fear and the like require something far more aggressive for effective release. classes and guided meditations always feel more like party games than psychotherapy to my senses. so far, my ptsd remains far to unpredictable to fit a premeditated program. so far. who knows what the 'morrow may bring?

 

[Sideways]

I’ve do trauma-informed yoga.

It’s not somatic therapy, and with the complex trauma I have on board, I wouldn’t be able to trust a yoga instructor, with their complete absence of therapy training, to be a somatic therapist.

But it is an incredibly helpful way to calm my system and feel safer in my body. It’s incredibly helpful. Yoga is a big part of the reason I don’t have panic attacks or fibromyalgia pain anymore, and one of the reasons my migraines are now rare rather than regular.

 

[Movingforward10]

I've done it with the YouTube videos never in person in a class. Done usual yoga in a class and didn't like it. I'm not one for classes like that.
I think I like the idea of trauma informed yoga more than the actual doing. The idea sounds tranquil and beautiful.
The way I do it, is not that!

 

[Friday]

People who love yoga WITH trauma? Usually love it. I’ve heard about it almost nonstop.

However? As someone with a dance/gymnastics background, I’m too flexible for yoga, I dislocate/dislocate/dislocate & injure/injure/injure. Runners/bikers/forward motion people usually love yoga, who are super tight laterally, and have virtually no range of motion 360 degrees. Dance & gynastics people operate on a movement-based flexibility/strenfth, on a 360 degree field, which is using the exact opposite muscle groups from stationary. Causing a lot of injuries, just because one places a foot at 45 degrees before LAUNCHING, so 90 degrees and holding? Causes the joint to slip. The ANGLE is incredibly important, as that determines which muscles, tendons, ligaments are in play. Most dancers/gymnasts/etc. have their own “not yoga” routines they do, daily, for strength & flexibility. Where THEY need it. Trauma-informed yoga operates on a similar principle… that people need and thrive in different things. So some poses are nixed, whilst others are accentuated. Based on mental/emotional needs, rather than physical ones.

 

[RainbowSearchParty]

Trauma informed yoga is great. But it’s not about the forms and postures — it’s about choice and Interoception. So, I find it very helpful but absolutely nothing like “normal” yoga classes.

David Emerson’s books are really good intros, very accessible and great to read. I found them very helpful!

 

[Roland]

I think that's partially how I remembered my childhood sexual abuse was from yoga and meditation (alone at home, I did YouTube videos and often freestyle meditation). It's crazy the memories the body holds. It is something I believe in but maybe I'm too much of a wimp to do it regularly and face my shit... At least now ... But I think it's a real thing and very beneficial!

 

[Friday]

I think that's partially how I remembered my childhood sexual abuse was from yoga and meditation (alone at home, I did YouTube videos and often freestyle meditation). It's crazy the memories the body holds. It is something I believe in but maybe I'm too much of a wimp to do it regularly and face my shit... At least now ... But I think it's a real thing and very beneficial!

For sure. Children of ashrams, yoga devotees, etc., who were ALSO sexually abused, or experience life threatening trauma? May well be deeply triggered by ANYTHING that was part of their “normal life” or trauma. Because that’s what brains do; Associate the normal with the “consequences”.

 

[sidptitala]

I think that's partially how I remembered my childhood sexual abuse was from yoga and meditation (alone at home, I did YouTube videos and often freestyle meditation). It's crazy the memories the body holds. It is something I believe in but maybe I'm too much of a wimp to do it regularly and face my shit... At least now .

Haha are you reading my mind? This is exactly what happened to me and how I've dealt with it (started to avoid doing it to avoid memories & thoughts & feelings, tried group only, tried alone only... still avoiding!)

It’s not somatic therapy, and with the complex trauma I have on board, I wouldn’t be able to trust a yoga instructor, with their complete absence of therapy training, to be a somatic therapist.

I think this ^ is big factor for me actually. I really scared of doing it but also very aware that I could react in a way that's too much for the class, the teacher and me.