Yoga-Another Tool for Confronting the Impact of Trauma

The last two decades of neuroscience research have advanced our understanding of the impact of trauma on our brain and nervous system. It showed us that regular talk therapy is not enough to treat the impact of trauma, because it lives in structures of the brain that do not respond to the words. We also learned that body-based practices like yoga have a very positive impact on the health and well-being of trauma survivors.

This course will bring you up-to-date on the latest and most relevant neuroscience research as it relates to trauma. It will also help you demystify yoga and understand how it can help. You will learn specific techniques and tools that you can use in individual and group work with your clients, as well as teach them and encourage the use of those tools outside of your office. You don’t have to be a yoga teacher to integrate those techniques—they are simple and accessible to you and your clients regardless of physical or other limitations.

Course Content

NEUROSCIENCE OF TRAUMA

• How the brain and nervous system are affected during trauma
• Window of tolerance
• Storage of traumatic vs. normal memories in the brain
• Inability to process

WHAT MAKES YOGA SUITABLE FOR TRAUMA SURVIVORS?

• Brief introduction to yoga
• Research findings
• What yoga CAN and CANNOT accomplish in the treatment of trauma
• Importance of focusing on the present moment
• Increasing the ability to tolerate pain and discomfort
• Calming down the amygdala and sympathetic nervous system
• Shifting brain from negative bias to positive focus

LEARNING SPECIFIC YOGA TECHNIQUES (LAB)

• Breath of joy
• Moving Warrior poses
• Simple vinyasa (with visualization)
• Meditation with mantra
• Legs up the wall
• Using yoga in individual treatment
• Using yoga in group treatment

EDUCATING CLIENTS

• Importance of personal yoga practice
• Using neuroscience knowledge to explain the impact of trauma and usefulness of yoga
• Referrals to appropriate classes
• Teach one skill and encourage practicing it