Reluctant to step on that yoga mat? You may want to read on. A recent Georgetown Law report showed that yoga programs designed specifically for victims of trauma – as many as 80 percent of women seeking treatment for drug abuse report lifetime histories of sexual and/or physical assault – can have far-ranging benefits.“Regulated breathing, for example, calms the parasympathetic nervous system. Practicing staying in the moment counteracts some of the dissociative effects of trauma. And the physical activity of yoga, of course, can directly improve health,” reported NPR.
Yoga for victims of trauma includes modifications – for example, instructors always ask permission before adjusting a pose – which are particularly helpful for suffers of sexual abuse. “Being asked to be touched, it gave us a little power back in a place where all our power is taken,” study participant Missy Hart told NPR.
Yoga also helped by offering her choices: “You can sit and reflect and think about what you want to think about. It helped us feel normal,” she said.
According to the report, other benefits of yoga for people with trauma included:
- Better self-regulation
- Increased self-esteem
- Improved sleep
- Reduction in gastric symptoms
Yoga for Addiction Recovery
Whether or not you have a history of trauma, this ancient practice can be a smart tool in your addiction recovery. It will help you align the mind, body, and spirit so you can find inner piece and comfort. Some more recovery perks:
Whether or not you have a history of trauma, this ancient practice can be a smart tool in your addiction recovery. It will help you align the mind, body, and spirit so you can find inner piece and comfort. Some more recovery perks:
You’ll…
- Reduce stress and anxiety
- Redirect harmful and negative thoughts
- Identify cravings
- Clear mental fog
- Experience a sense of community
Trauma Informed Treatment Modalities
The Willows at Red Oak Recovery®℠ is a clinically dynamic, trauma informed treatment center. In helping women to recover from the impact of trauma in their lives, we utilize an integrated approach based on theory, research, and clinical experience. To learn more, call: 866.457.7426.
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