In my current role as a Yoga Therapist at the Burnaby Centre for Mental Health and Addictions, I have witnessed the important role Yoga has played in enhancing the body awareness, self-esteem and overall well being of the clients. Many of my clients have reported a decrease in symptoms commonly associated with PTS and PTSD including reduced stress levels, increased ability to self-regulate, improved sleep, and a decrease in cravings, feelings of helplessness, depression, anxiety, despair and agitation. In addition, clients have reported that through their Yoga practices they have developed a sense of empowerment in their own healing process.

Yoga is a non-invasive therapeutic intervention that has been widely used for centuries in order to address a variety of health conditions. Research supports the benefit of Yoga as a complimentary therapy for individuals living with a wide variety of mental health issues, for stress reduction and for increasing overall wellbeing (Kabat-Zinn, 1990; Ernst, 2006; Tullis, 2007; Visceglia, 2007; Daubenmier, 2005; Kenny, Bernier & DeMartini, 2005; Campbell & Moore, 2004).

Research also suggests that Yoga is a highly effective therapeutic intervention for individuals suffering specifically from PTS and PTSD when used in a complimentary manner alongside traditional treatments (Emerson, Sharma, Chaudhry & Turner, 2009; van der Kolk, 2009; Sutkin, 2009). 
Bessel Van der Kolk, MD a clinician, researcher and teacher in the area of posttraumatic stress since the 1970’s states, “People with PTSD lose their way in the world. Their bodies continue to live in an internal environment of trauma . . . time stops for people who suffer from PTSD . . . the body keeps replaying the past. If you practise Yoga and can develop a body that is strong and feels comfortable, this can contribute substantially to help you to come into the here and now rather than staying stuck in the past” (Interview, 2009).

By supporting and enhancing the efficacy of other therapeutic interventions, Yoga can contribute to students  long term stability and recovery. In the case of the clients at the Burnaby Centre for Mental Health and Addictions as well as others living in short term residential rehabilitation facilities, Yoga can be practiced when clients re-enter their community, thus providing continuity of care and a chance to create and become a part of healthier communities. Ongoing involvement in a Yoga program may reduce or even eliminate the need for future hospitalization.

Some Further Benefits of Yoga for Trauma Survivors Include:
•    Increased body/self awareness and acceptance. The development of a sense of safety in the body (Emerson, 2009).
•    Increased self esteem.
•    The opportunity to practise being in the present moment.
•    A healthy way to cope with stress.
•    Stress reduction
•    Improve sleep.
•    An opportunity to practise making choices and therefore gain an increased sense of autonomy and empowerment (Emerson, 2009).
•    An opportunity to take effective action through “corrective experience” (Emerson, 2009).
•    An effective way to explore a sense of time; that all events have a beginning, middle and end (Emerson, 2009).
•    A framework for supporting long lasting changes which help maintain a healthy lifestyle.
•    A positive method for coping with negative emotions, depression and anxiety.
•    Decreased depression and anxiety.
•    Increased self regulation.
•    A decrease in autonomic dysregulation which is associated with a decrease in symptoms associated with PTS and PTSD (Emerson, 2009).
   

1.  Body Awareness/Grounding:

Body Awareness in this case, is intended to help participants cultivate a sense of having a body. Some trauma survivors do not view their bodies as safe places or even possess a sense of having a body at all. Through very simple, mechanical cues performed sitting in a chair, on the floor, standing or lying down, body awareness can be cultivated over time.

2. Asana:

Asana is intended to restore and maintain a practitioner’s well-being and improve the body’s flexibility and vitality. Asana or the physical practise of performing poses has many health benefits including calming the nervous system, helping to build a heartier stress response, improved flexibility and range of motion, improved circulation, respiration, and digestive function Asana can be helpful for helping students to become grounded, begin to feel safer and ultimately start to employ the body as a resource for self regulation. It is important to note that some asanas can be triggering for some survivors of trauma and that the utmost care and respect should always be used when working with this population. Trauma survivors can benefit from simple, repetitive poses in which they are always reminded that they have choice: Choice to do or not do the pose, choice to rest, choice to modify etc.

3. Pranayama/Breath Awareness:
Simple breathing techniques ( such as belly breathing) can be employed to increase breath awareness and reduce anxiety and stress.

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