Survivors of trauma—whether abuse, accidents, or war—can end up profoundly wounded, betrayed by their bodies that failed to get them to safety and that are a source of pain. In order to fully heal from trauma, a connection must be made with oneself, including one’s body. The trauma-sensitive yoga described in this book moves beyond traditional talk therapies that focus on the mind, by bringing the body actively into the healing process. This allows trauma survivors to cultivate a more positive relationship to their body through gentle breath, mindfulness, and movement practices.
Overcoming Trauma through Yoga is a book for survivors, clinicians, and yoga instructors who are interested in mind/body healing. It introduces trauma-sensitive yoga, a modified approach to yoga developed in collaboration between yoga teachers and clinicians at the Trauma Center at Justice Resource Institute, led by yoga teacher David Emerson, along with medical doctor Bessel van der Kolk. The book begins with an in-depth description of trauma and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), including a description of how trauma is held in the body and the need for body-based treatment. It offers a brief history of yoga, describes various styles of yoga commonly found in Western practice, and identifies four key themes of trauma-sensitive yoga. Chair-based exercises are described that can be incorporated into individual or group therapy, targeting specific treatment goals, and modifications are offered for mat-based yoga classes. Each exercise includes trauma-sensitive language to introduce the practice, as well as photographs to illustrate the poses. The practices have been offered to a wide range of individuals and groups, including men and women, teens, returning veterans, and others. Rounded out by valuable quotes and case stories, the book presents mindfulness, breathing, and yoga exercises that can be used by home practitioners, yoga teachers, and therapists as a way to cultivate awareness, tolerance, and an increased acceptance of the self.
Overcoming Trauma through Yoga: Reclaiming Your Body
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Frequently Bought Together
Editorial Reviews
Review
"The book sets out to facilitate the creation of healing environments. Clinicians will learn basic yoga skills that can be implemented within individual therapy sessions. Yoga teachers will find thoughtful advice on how to make assists that won’t trigger internal defenses. And trauma survivors will receive edict-free encouragement for using yoga as a tool for self-discovery. Thoughtful and thorough, Overcoming Trauma through Yoga brings a spirit of optimism to the process of healing past wounds and reclaiming body and mind."
—Rolf Sovik, PsyD, Yoga International Magazine
"Trauma-related conditions are complex disorders involving dysregulation of the mind, body and the mind/body interface. Although yoga is a mind/body practice known to have significant therapeutic benefit, yoga for healthy individuals is not the same as yoga therapy for patients, which must take patient limitations into account. The trauma-sensitive yoga developed by the authors through practical/clinical experience, and described carefully, practically and systematically in this book, incorporates the best that yoga has to offer with what will benefit trauma patients safely and comfortably."
—Sat Bir Khalsa, PhD, Assistant Professor of Medicine at Harvard Medical School, Director of Research for the Kundalini Research Institute
"In this landmark book the authors offer survivors a gentle, step-by-step mindful yoga that is tailored for their specific needs…. This well conceived book is a tremendous resource for therapists and yoga teachers. By engaging the wisdom of their bodies, it is a great companion and guide to those taking the journey of recovery from trauma to wholeness. Yoga and Trauma is a gift for those taking the hero’s journey of recovery and vibrancy."
—From the Foreword by Peter A. Levine, Ph.D., author of the bestselling Waking the Tiger: Healing Trauma
“At last, an engaging, accessible, theoretically grounded guide for the safe and effective use of yoga to heal from trauma! With a rich understanding of both the practice of yoga and the legacy of trauma, the authors skillfully weave together theory, research, mindfulness, case vignettes, yoga instruction, and more into a clear and compelling argument for reclaiming the body through their ‘trauma-sensitive’ modified yoga. Innovative and practical, this book is an indispensable resource for traumatized individuals, yoga teachers, clinicians, and anyone else who is looking to rediscover the natural intelligence of the body.”
—Pat Ogden, PhD, founder of the Sensorimotor Psychotherapy Institute and author of Trauma and the Body: A Sensorimotor Approach to Psychotherapy
“There is a real need to extend yoga to those affected by traumatic experience and this book is a guide toward that action serving yoga practitioners, yoga teachers, and clinicians who are interested in working somatically. This guide fills the gap in the yoga student’s training with a solid knowledge base of trauma and offers ideas about creating a trauma-sensitive yoga class. Furthermore, clinicians can give insight into working with the body in the therapy session. … The yoga skills presented here are designed to center, to ground, to increase mindful awareness, to encourage curiosity about experiencing the present, to help regain the sense of empowerment, enhance affect-regulation and to befriend the body, all in a trauma informed way. From a yoga perspective, this guide presents how to work with an individual suffering from symptoms associated with traumatic experience as a fine balance between knowledge and sensitivity.”
—Somatic Psychology Today
“If you have suffered trauma or are a yoga teacher looking for ways to expand your class offerings, Overcoming Trauma Through Yoga stands alone in providing a complete program developed by clinical experience especially designed to address the needs of trauma survivors… [The book] offers survivors a mindful approach to healing through calm, step-by-step yoga tailored to their specific requirements in order to engage and awaken the wisdom of their own bodies… a superb book…this gem deserves a place on the bookshelf.”
—Yoga Flavored Life
“Authors Emerson and Hopper demonstrate how to deliberately and systematically intervene in the body’s alarm systems, and the yoga-based approaches they present in Overcoming Trauma Through Yoga use a series of postures and breathing techniques to rebuild a sense of connection to the self. … Overcoming Trauma Through Yoga is highly recommended for trauma clients, therapists, and yoga teachers who want to work together toward complete recovery.”
—New York Journal of Books
“In his book Overcoming Trauma Through Yoga, co-author David Emerson (with Elizabeth Hopper) discusses the importance of treating not only patients’ minds, but also their bodies, where memories of traumatic events are stored. They write, ‘While talk-based therapy serves a critical role in the healing process, many are finding that it is insufficient by itself.’ Yoga and other forms of therapeutic physical activity may be the missing link.”
—Whole Life Times
“Though the reason for buying this book will vary greatly, I think the message is the same for everyone. … I expected some ‘tips and tricks,’ but instead I got a great discussion on understanding my body, and, that my healing must come from within myself as well as physically. I am not a yogi, I have watched a few videos and stumbled around my living room but this book was a great read even for a beginner like me. It was easy to follow the instruction and simple exercises. I am certain that this book has been a great addition to my recovery.”
—Alexandria Vail, Chicklit Club
“Very useful book… The essential wisdom imparted here is that a simple hatha yoga practice can support the treatment of trauma by a) reintroducing the PTSD client to having and making meaningful choices when it seems like all choices have been taken away; b) cultivating a sense of living in the present in a way that feels safe; c) taking effective physical action, in direct opposition to what happens in a trauma situation where great effort is made, and often unsuccessfully, toward simply getting away from the threat; and d) establishing personal and interpersonal rhythms when the client may feel out-of-step with his or her own biorhythms, emotions, other people, etc. … I liked the straightforward tone, and the material is streamlined enough that you can pretty much absorb the whole thing in one or two sittings, and start applying it immediately.”
—PCarino, Intellectual House o' Pancakes
“Overcoming Trauma Through Yoga tells how trauma survivors can use yoga to reconnect to one's body and introduces the concept of trauma-sensitive yoga, a modified yoga program developed at the Trauma Center at Justice Resource Institute. It focuses on reinforcing positive relationships between body and mind through breathing and gentle yoga exercises, and provides an in-depth description of post-traumatic stress disorder. Yoga teachers and therapists alike will find this a fine, specific guide to integrating yoga-based interventions into therapy.”
—Midwest Book Review
“The authors, David Emerson and Elizabeth Hopper, PhD have done an excellent job connecting the dots for readers. … Overcoming Trauma Through Yoga eloquently describes and clearly illustrates how trauma-sensitive yoga has been and continues to be an effective tool for trauma survivors, healing them from the inside out. Generally, I would encourage anyone who experiences stress or disconnect from their bodies to give this book a chance.”
—Angela Andiorio, Space & Time
“For yoga teachers, [Overcoming Trauma through Yoga] 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. … Although trauma survivors may have moments of discomfort and…strong emotions may surface as they read, Overcoming Trauma through Yoga offers something critical to their healing: hope.”
—Dawn Hamilton, Life Force Yoga Healing Institute
“The information in this book can help anyone engaged in the practice of yoga and the process of healing the effects of traumatic experiences. … Reading this book helped me understand intellectually what I knew experientially. Namely, that the greatest benefit practitioners of yoga receive is the positive shift in outlook. In the context of trauma, this becomes empowerment.”
—Temani Aldine, LifeParticle.com
—Rolf Sovik, PsyD, Yoga International Magazine
"Trauma-related conditions are complex disorders involving dysregulation of the mind, body and the mind/body interface. Although yoga is a mind/body practice known to have significant therapeutic benefit, yoga for healthy individuals is not the same as yoga therapy for patients, which must take patient limitations into account. The trauma-sensitive yoga developed by the authors through practical/clinical experience, and described carefully, practically and systematically in this book, incorporates the best that yoga has to offer with what will benefit trauma patients safely and comfortably."
—Sat Bir Khalsa, PhD, Assistant Professor of Medicine at Harvard Medical School, Director of Research for the Kundalini Research Institute
"In this landmark book the authors offer survivors a gentle, step-by-step mindful yoga that is tailored for their specific needs…. This well conceived book is a tremendous resource for therapists and yoga teachers. By engaging the wisdom of their bodies, it is a great companion and guide to those taking the journey of recovery from trauma to wholeness. Yoga and Trauma is a gift for those taking the hero’s journey of recovery and vibrancy."
—From the Foreword by Peter A. Levine, Ph.D., author of the bestselling Waking the Tiger: Healing Trauma
“At last, an engaging, accessible, theoretically grounded guide for the safe and effective use of yoga to heal from trauma! With a rich understanding of both the practice of yoga and the legacy of trauma, the authors skillfully weave together theory, research, mindfulness, case vignettes, yoga instruction, and more into a clear and compelling argument for reclaiming the body through their ‘trauma-sensitive’ modified yoga. Innovative and practical, this book is an indispensable resource for traumatized individuals, yoga teachers, clinicians, and anyone else who is looking to rediscover the natural intelligence of the body.”
—Pat Ogden, PhD, founder of the Sensorimotor Psychotherapy Institute and author of Trauma and the Body: A Sensorimotor Approach to Psychotherapy
“There is a real need to extend yoga to those affected by traumatic experience and this book is a guide toward that action serving yoga practitioners, yoga teachers, and clinicians who are interested in working somatically. This guide fills the gap in the yoga student’s training with a solid knowledge base of trauma and offers ideas about creating a trauma-sensitive yoga class. Furthermore, clinicians can give insight into working with the body in the therapy session. … The yoga skills presented here are designed to center, to ground, to increase mindful awareness, to encourage curiosity about experiencing the present, to help regain the sense of empowerment, enhance affect-regulation and to befriend the body, all in a trauma informed way. From a yoga perspective, this guide presents how to work with an individual suffering from symptoms associated with traumatic experience as a fine balance between knowledge and sensitivity.”
—Somatic Psychology Today
“If you have suffered trauma or are a yoga teacher looking for ways to expand your class offerings, Overcoming Trauma Through Yoga stands alone in providing a complete program developed by clinical experience especially designed to address the needs of trauma survivors… [The book] offers survivors a mindful approach to healing through calm, step-by-step yoga tailored to their specific requirements in order to engage and awaken the wisdom of their own bodies… a superb book…this gem deserves a place on the bookshelf.”
—Yoga Flavored Life
“Authors Emerson and Hopper demonstrate how to deliberately and systematically intervene in the body’s alarm systems, and the yoga-based approaches they present in Overcoming Trauma Through Yoga use a series of postures and breathing techniques to rebuild a sense of connection to the self. … Overcoming Trauma Through Yoga is highly recommended for trauma clients, therapists, and yoga teachers who want to work together toward complete recovery.”
—New York Journal of Books
“In his book Overcoming Trauma Through Yoga, co-author David Emerson (with Elizabeth Hopper) discusses the importance of treating not only patients’ minds, but also their bodies, where memories of traumatic events are stored. They write, ‘While talk-based therapy serves a critical role in the healing process, many are finding that it is insufficient by itself.’ Yoga and other forms of therapeutic physical activity may be the missing link.”
—Whole Life Times
“Though the reason for buying this book will vary greatly, I think the message is the same for everyone. … I expected some ‘tips and tricks,’ but instead I got a great discussion on understanding my body, and, that my healing must come from within myself as well as physically. I am not a yogi, I have watched a few videos and stumbled around my living room but this book was a great read even for a beginner like me. It was easy to follow the instruction and simple exercises. I am certain that this book has been a great addition to my recovery.”
—Alexandria Vail, Chicklit Club
“Very useful book… The essential wisdom imparted here is that a simple hatha yoga practice can support the treatment of trauma by a) reintroducing the PTSD client to having and making meaningful choices when it seems like all choices have been taken away; b) cultivating a sense of living in the present in a way that feels safe; c) taking effective physical action, in direct opposition to what happens in a trauma situation where great effort is made, and often unsuccessfully, toward simply getting away from the threat; and d) establishing personal and interpersonal rhythms when the client may feel out-of-step with his or her own biorhythms, emotions, other people, etc. … I liked the straightforward tone, and the material is streamlined enough that you can pretty much absorb the whole thing in one or two sittings, and start applying it immediately.”
—PCarino, Intellectual House o' Pancakes
“Overcoming Trauma Through Yoga tells how trauma survivors can use yoga to reconnect to one's body and introduces the concept of trauma-sensitive yoga, a modified yoga program developed at the Trauma Center at Justice Resource Institute. It focuses on reinforcing positive relationships between body and mind through breathing and gentle yoga exercises, and provides an in-depth description of post-traumatic stress disorder. Yoga teachers and therapists alike will find this a fine, specific guide to integrating yoga-based interventions into therapy.”
—Midwest Book Review
“The authors, David Emerson and Elizabeth Hopper, PhD have done an excellent job connecting the dots for readers. … Overcoming Trauma Through Yoga eloquently describes and clearly illustrates how trauma-sensitive yoga has been and continues to be an effective tool for trauma survivors, healing them from the inside out. Generally, I would encourage anyone who experiences stress or disconnect from their bodies to give this book a chance.”
—Angela Andiorio, Space & Time
“For yoga teachers, [Overcoming Trauma through Yoga] 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. … Although trauma survivors may have moments of discomfort and…strong emotions may surface as they read, Overcoming Trauma through Yoga offers something critical to their healing: hope.”
—Dawn Hamilton, Life Force Yoga Healing Institute
“The information in this book can help anyone engaged in the practice of yoga and the process of healing the effects of traumatic experiences. … Reading this book helped me understand intellectually what I knew experientially. Namely, that the greatest benefit practitioners of yoga receive is the positive shift in outlook. In the context of trauma, this becomes empowerment.”
—Temani Aldine, LifeParticle.com
About the Author
David Emerson is the director of yoga services at the Trauma Center (traumacenter.org). In 2003 he codesigned the Trauma Center Yoga Program that includes classes and teacher training programs. He lives in Cambridge, MA. Elizabeth Hopper, PhD, is a licensed clinical psychologist specializing in traumatic stress and works as the associate director of training at the Trauma Center. She lives in Somerville, MA.
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More About the Author
David Emerson is the director of yoga services at the Trauma Center JRI (traumacenter.org). In 2003 he co-designed the Trauma Center Yoga Program that includes classes and teacher training programs. More information, including events, at http://www.facebook.com/OvercomingTraumaThroughYoga.
Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
48 of 50 people found the following review helpful
By Real Mommy
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
I bought this book because my daughter suffers from severe PTSD as a result of early childhood trauma. I expected to read some 'how to tips.' Instead, I was blessed with scholarly discussions of the possibility of healing for my daughter from one of the leading trauma treatment researchers in the world! The book is very readable for a lay person who does not do yoga herself. There are some simple exercises to get a person started that can be done by anyone. I have recommended the book to my daughter's therapist. When I identify a yoga instructor, I am going to make sure that he/she reads the book if he/she hasn't done so already. I am hopeful that this book will mark a new stage in my daughter's healing and in my personal growth.
38 of 39 people found the following review helpful
By Rachel W
Format:Paperback
I thought the reviews are a bit inflated. No doubt this is a useful book. The most useful aspect for me is that it points out many aspects clinicians and yoga teacher should pay attention to when working with a trauma survivor. Very useful tips.
But I find it lacking in any groundbreaking insights or asana sequence that are proven to be working to alleviate the sufferings of these individuals. Many anecdotes, for sure, but I would like something more concrete, more evidence-based.
Seems to me that the so-called "Trauma-Sensitive Yoga" is yet another "niche market" for the ever-increasing number of yoga instructors to be in (on top of yoga therapy, therapeutic yoga, restorative yoga, etc.) Not that it's a bad thing. Just that I had a much higher expectation (hoping of more intensive psychological research), and I was somewhat disappointed.
Besides, if I were a trauma survivor, and my local studio offers a class called "Trauma-Sensitive Yoga," I don't think I'd walk in due to the stigma it implies, or due to my own denial. This label isn't very sensitive IMHO, nor is it very marketable.
If you are a clinician or a yoga teacher, read the precautions mentioned in this book- they are useful. If you are already teaching yoga, you should know the asanas described here very well already. Be gentle and sensitive, and exercise common sense. And if you are a trauma survivor - honestly, I feel that you deserve another book - a more comprehensive and personal one - that is dedicated solely on healing. All in all, it's a nice book to read, but it's not one that I would want to keep a copy for repeated reference in my career.
But I find it lacking in any groundbreaking insights or asana sequence that are proven to be working to alleviate the sufferings of these individuals. Many anecdotes, for sure, but I would like something more concrete, more evidence-based.
Seems to me that the so-called "Trauma-Sensitive Yoga" is yet another "niche market" for the ever-increasing number of yoga instructors to be in (on top of yoga therapy, therapeutic yoga, restorative yoga, etc.) Not that it's a bad thing. Just that I had a much higher expectation (hoping of more intensive psychological research), and I was somewhat disappointed.
Besides, if I were a trauma survivor, and my local studio offers a class called "Trauma-Sensitive Yoga," I don't think I'd walk in due to the stigma it implies, or due to my own denial. This label isn't very sensitive IMHO, nor is it very marketable.
If you are a clinician or a yoga teacher, read the precautions mentioned in this book- they are useful. If you are already teaching yoga, you should know the asanas described here very well already. Be gentle and sensitive, and exercise common sense. And if you are a trauma survivor - honestly, I feel that you deserve another book - a more comprehensive and personal one - that is dedicated solely on healing. All in all, it's a nice book to read, but it's not one that I would want to keep a copy for repeated reference in my career.
27 of 27 people found the following review helpful
By Lotus
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
Overcoming Trauma through Yoga is one of the best books I have read on this subject. It has helped me to understand why, as a student of yoga, I have certain habits when I attend a class with strangers. And it is incredibly helpful to me as a yoga teacher. I teach yoga to people who have been through some of the toughest situations imaginable.
The book teaches us to be mindful, respectful and compassionate toward our students and ourselves. This book will be with me for a long time to come.
The book teaches us to be mindful, respectful and compassionate toward our students and ourselves. This book will be with me for a long time to come.
Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
I found this book very helpful and inspiring
I am currently in yoga teacher training and also have PTSD as a part of my life. I love this book! I found a lot of "aha" moments of understanding and appreciation. Read more
Published 29 days ago by Spirit Connector
4.0 out of 5 stars
Very wonderful book
I am a yoga teacher and I bought this book to help me with my students, some of whom have post traumatic stress. Read more
Published 1 month ago by Ms Muffintop
5.0 out of 5 stars
Insightful, crystal clear, deeply right.
This is a very clearly written book, with sections for the yoga practitioner, the yoga teacher and the therapists. It's a hands-on, pragmatic tool with theory explanation as well. Read more
Published 2 months ago by Michael Hurd
5.0 out of 5 stars
useful
As someone who first learned yoga over 30 years ago but didn't keep an ongoing practice, I remember the slow peacefulness of those early classes. Read more
Published 2 months ago by Kathryn Shimmura
3.0 out of 5 stars
good
Not enough citations for actual studies. Lots of reference to the studies by JRI but could not access them anywhere in PsychInfo or any other journal database. Read more
Published 3 months ago by unpaintedcorner
5.0 out of 5 stars
Compassion in the detail
This book is a highlight for any yoga teacher! The details involved are genuine results from clients and teachers working with trauma. Read more
Published 6 months ago by Teenzjeanz
5.0 out of 5 stars
my therapist loves it and so do I
it has been helping with the "body memories" and helps release the pain - Thank you very much, we use it often
Published 8 months ago by D. McMillon
5.0 out of 5 stars
A must for all yoga teachers and students. trauma survivors, and...
This is an amazing work. It articulates what many therapists and yoga teachers do without realizing it, and instructs those who don't. Read more
Published 11 months ago by nan herron
5.0 out of 5 stars
Wonderful resource for teachers, students and clinicians
Overcoming Trauma Through Yoga is a very concise yet thorough enough book for someone new to the subject of working with trauma in the body. Read more
Published 13 months ago by BrandyV333
5.0 out of 5 stars
Phenomenal & Groundbreaking Techniques For Anyone
I am a social worker & I have seen PTSD like symptoms in nearly all of my clients, regardless of what their presenting problems were. Read more
Published 15 months ago by ADR
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