The Healing Power of Yoga
There are many benefits that come from a regular yoga practice, including improved strength, balance, and flexibility. Yoga can relieve arthritis symptoms; some doctors even recommend it as a first line of treatment for back pain. Yoga supports heart health and good sleep hygiene. Yoga and meditation are great ways to connect with your community, boost energy, focus, and mood, and relieve stress [Hopkins Medicine]. Some forms of yoga can also help to heal complex and developmental trauma and PTSD [TCTSY]. Yoga is a holistic healing tool recognizing that body, mind, and spirit operate and heal as one.
“Yoga teaches us to cure what need not be endured and endure what cannot be cured.”
Over the last couple of decades, various studies have shown that yoga is an effective adjunct treatment for survivors of domestic violence sexual assault, and abuse [studies listed in references]. Bessel Van Der Kolk, M.D. (one of the world’s foremost experts in trauma with over 30 years of research and work with survivors) said, “Yoga has been found to significantly reduce PTSD symptoms with effect sizes comparable to well-researched therapeutic and pharmacology approaches.”
Yoga is for everyone and we can all benefit from the practice. Yoga means union; union of breath and body, union of body and mind, union of body and spirit, union with self, union with others, union with the world, and union with source. We live fast-paced, full lives, therefore taking breaks that refuel our body, mind, and spirit is essential. Healing from trauma requires the same care. Yoga is a journey of self-exploration and growth. The depth experienced is up to each individual and their willingness to dive inward.
Written by
Stephanie Hogan
Relief Advocate at Mutual Ground
Acknowledgments & References:
No one owns yoga; however, it is important to acknowledge that we are using information gained from a culture other than our own (in my case and many others, yet not all). Therefore, it is important, as students we take time to learn about the origins of yoga and, as teachers, to share it ethically.