Yoga for trauma

Yoga can play a huge part in improving a trauma survivor's overall quality of life.

First off, it can help one get to a place of immediately feeling better if they are anxious and stressed. Just through the acts of breathing and movement.

Finding a warm and welcoming studio can give many survivors a safe space that feels like the home they would love to create. They also become spaces that trauma survivors can just go to if they need to get away from their "normal" life.

Yoga studios tend to be spaces that bring a variety of people together, most who are caring and supportive--NOT judgemental or even down right scary.

For those who struggle with the lasting effects of trauma, being around people in regular day to day settings takes a lot of work and often "acting" to get through.

At a safe studio, a person can let their guard down and be themselves.

They have the opportunity to relax and let their brain rest. Relaxation and rest are life needs that are often missing for the person facing effects from a traumatic life situation.

Yoga helps clear the brain to the point where a person can begin to see different options and possibilities to improve their life circumstances.

Many trauma survivors do not feel comfortable talking about their problems with people in real life, including a therapist.

Yoga offers the ability to seek answers internally.

Yoga is also something that can be done on one's own.  If one wants to be social, studios offer this option but they also offer the option to be left alone as well.

Many trauma survivors don't always want to be social but still crave being out and around people.

Lastly yoga can also give a trauma survivor a sense of purpose and accomplishment. 

Yoga is not an easy thing for the average person to do--especially certain styles like Bikram.

Just getting through the class though can be the reminder that one can get through anything life may throw their way.