Although Yoga is often perceived as a fitness exercise, it is much more than that. Yoga has always been a practice of seeking to heal trauma and alleviate inner and outer suffering. The practice is inherently trauma-informed in that it invites us to tune into the emotions held within our body through movement and breath, helping us to connect to ourselves.

It is well-known that trauma lives in the body which is why body-based treatments like yoga can be effective in reducing symptomatology. Participation in trauma-informed yoga has been scientifically proven to significantly reduce symptoms of PTSD – including fewer intrusive thoughts and less dissociation from the body.

Yoga has also been known to help improve sleep, focus, and management of emotions. Yoga mitigates the fight or flight response through a combination of active asanas (movement), pranayama (breath), and deep relaxation (Sparrowe, 2013). As a somatic practice, yoga helps develop a new relationship to the body and mind.