A trauma-informed approach to healing body and mind: an evidence-based yoga program for survivors, clinicians and yoga teachers.
Research-backed and trauma-informed, this book offers a yoga program that helps readers heal from the cognitive, emotional and physiological symptoms of PTSD. From managing triggers to accessing safety, the approaches and exercises presented in Overcoming Trauma through Yoga are deeply practical and grounded in what survivors need to know to heal.
The book opens with an introduction by Bessel van der Kolk, moving into a transformative approach to recovery that was developed by experts at the Trauma Center at Justice Resource Institute. The program facilitates somatic healing through gentle breath, mindfulness and movement practices and offers insights on the specific needs of trauma survivors practising yoga at home or in class: adjusting pace, creating safety, accessing empowered choice and more.
The final chapters offer practical insights for:
- Survivors to develop a trauma-sensitive practice at home and in studio
- Clinicians to integrate yoga into clinical care and pair yoga-based interventions with therapeutic goals
- Yoga teachers to build trauma-sensitive yoga classes and learn best practices for responding to triggered responses
