Overcoming Trauma through Yoga: Reclaiming Your Body

Overcoming Trauma through Yoga: Reclaiming Your Body by David Emerson and Elizabeth Hopper, PhDReviewed by Dawn Hamilton, LFYP - 2This concise book is a helpful and uplifting reference work for clinicians, yoga teachers as well as survivors of trauma. As a LifeForce Yoga Practitioner, I can say that the book is completely aligned with the compassionate guidance I received at LFYP training. Using recent discoveries in neuroscience as well as their own clinical experience at The Trauma Center, the authors clearly demonstrate that yoga, when adapted to the unique sensitivities of trauma survivors, can help them manage the debilitating onset of triggers in their daily lives, assisting them forward on their healing journey.Emerson and Hopper provide a good framework for understanding the deep impact of trauma on the entire human being, with profound and compassionate descriptions of PTSD and trauma. The book includes an informative history of the treatment of people affected by various forms of trauma, whether it be war, abuse, violence or accident, and the evolution of that treatment. They reveal new scientific research which shows our sense of selves is deeply anchored in a vital connection with our bodies. This tells us the wounds of trauma are held deep within the human body, and therefore to fully heal, treatment must include somatic elements. The intrinsic mind/body connection of yoga provides the practitioner with the vital link between wounds stuck inside the body and the deep healing needed.The authors do an excellent job distinguishing specific needs of trauma-sensitive yoga practitioners from other yogis by sharing case studies of trauma survivors bravely attending classes. They discuss the need to pace a trauma-sensitive yoga class slowly, the importance of creating a safe space to practice, careful attention to the words uttered by the yoga teacher, and whether or not to offer physical assists. They offer practical yoga exercises adapted to trauma survivors, including language for instructors emphasizing choice and empowering their students as collaborators.Overall, the book is a powerful addition to existing research which is now starting to concur that yoga can truly heal. For yoga teachers, it is invaluable for showing that all students are not the same, and that adapting your class just takes compassion, special care and knowledge, which this book provides. Clinicians will benefit by learning that yoga unlocks traumatized bodies, and because the practices are simple - and can easily be done in an office setting. . Although trauma survivors may have moments of discomfort and from time to time, strong emotions may surface as they read, Overcoming Trauma through Yoga offers something critical to their healing: hope.

This is an excellent book for anyone working with trauma survivors of any type, or for trauma survivors themselves. I am a meditation instructor who works with sexual abuse and trauma survivors, and found it tremendously helpful. The author is a leader in working with trauma survivors from all different backgrounds, and has pioneered the use of yoga in trauma recovery programs. The book outlines the yoga program taught through the Justice Resource Institute, the leading organization doing such work, which also offers a trauma-sensitive training program for yoga instructors.The first part of the book provides an accessible but thorough overview of trauma research, and the current understanding of how trauma is held in the body. It includes the current major modes of thinking about trauma, including within the mental health community, and draws largely on the work of Bessel Van Der Kolk, Judith Herman, and Peter Levine, all of whom have pioneered somatic work with trauma survivors. This part of the book is relevant to anyone working with trauma survivors in any context.The second part of the book provides an equally excellent overview of yoga, including its history and research on its benefits. It clarifies the type of yoga the book is seeking to present, separate from any religious context. The rest of the book outlines an actual yoga practice, and then provides insight for how to practice and/or teach trauma-sensitive yoga. It highlights each exercise, and the exact trauma triggers it aids in addressing (disassociation, affect regulation, etc.) It provides very specific language and guidelines for incorporating this into a yoga class. Anecdotes and quotes from actual participants in prior programs are included to highlight exactly how yoga aided in their recovery.Although I am not a yoga instructor, so many of the suggestions resonated exactly with my experience teaching trauma-sensitive meditation, and other suggstions provided valuable new ideas for how to approach working with this population in a gentle, supportive way. This book is written in a clinical tone and format, but although I am not a therapist I did not find it intimidating or hard to follow, so I think anyone that works with trauma survivors should consider reading it. Excellent, and so needed!

This book is great! I actually am overcoming trauma and it helped me understand my response to PTSD and how my body functions. Then it gives some asanas and ways to approach the asanas with people in trauma. I am really glad that I read this! I have had yoga instructors who "claim' that they are trained in trauma sensitive yoga but after reading this I know that they aren't. I had some instructors try to force me into staying into an asana that was triggering me and making me cry. I had one instructor pretend to slap me to illustrate something. I've had another who touched me all the time when I said I was uncomfortable without asking me. I guess I just thought that was how it goes until I read this and since I read this, I now tell them something if they say they have been trained in trauma sensitive yoga and are doing things that don't seem consistent with that practice. I think all yoga instructors should read this as well as any one who is overcoming trauma who wants to do yoga----so that you understand how your body works and might respond to yoga.

Interessante e utile, soprattutto per chi non ha le basi sull'argomento. Una conferma e un consolidamento di nozioni conosciute, ma esplicate in modo organico e chiaro, per chi è del mestiere.

I really appreciated reading this book. My journey to yoga has been jagged - I first tried Pilates classes, then 1:1 pilates and then other yoga classes that were too advanced and never felt right. Reading this book helped me understand many of the reasons why they weren't 'right.' One misguided teacher (of yoga) told me: you're not strong. I never went back to her or other classes. I found a yoga DVD on Amazon: Yoga for Absolute Beginners with Susan Fulton. It was just the right level, with a pleasant teacher. It may not be advertised as 'trauma-sensitive yoga' but it definitely helps. I've been doing it for a year now and feel so much stronger and more flexible. A lot of the fear I carried in my body is gone. I love this DVD and I loved reading this book. A gentle, self-caring way through life is what we all need. I hope you also feel validated reading this book.

The words used in the book felt very gentle, sensitive and empowering. The yoga poses were explained quite well. I am wondering can there be a sequel with more poses?

An excellent introductory guide to exploring yoga with trauma victims - thorough, respectful and compassionate. A must for yoga teachers who want to work with people who have forgotten what it’s like to listen to their body, to feel it and to be able to interact with it meaningfully - and eventually even joyfully!

It provides what the title says. Easy to read and follow, really helpful for people trying to help themselves overcome trauma. I highly recommend it. Makes you look at yoga the way yoga is intended to be practiced, not as a sports high energy sweat generating activity but as a source of healing and balance. Must read for any yoga instructor RM