The whole of life is about processing the experience that we have with our bodies. The pleasant moments, like listening to waves crashing on a beach while feeling the warmth of the sunset, become cherished memories that motivate us through daily life. We treasure these experiences, recalling the scent of the sand and the touch of the breeze on our skin when looking at photos from our last vacation. Conversely, challenging experiences consume our thoughts, leading us to share our aches and pains with those around us. We may believe that only children or the elderly overshare about their ailments, but in truth, many conversations center around our bodily sensations. It isn’t unusual for someone to share about their sore back, an injury they have sustained, or the way they have felt watching the sunrise.
Maybe what is more unusual are the places that some people might filter out their physical experiences. We in the western world don’t often associate what is happening in the body with what may be happening in the mind. I for one didn’t associate the digestive problems I had with childhood trauma. I didn’t think my reactions in a staff meeting could have to do with being involved in a violent altercation as a kid. That my torn ACL could have to do with stress at work. What I know now that I didn’t know then is that the body collects these stressful experiences like we fill up the camera rolls on our phones.
Dutch researcher Bessel van der Kolk, wrote a book called the body keeps the score, that explains how our body stores up tension, stress and reactions to traumatic situations. We may think of mental health and trauma as just being in our head but the truth is that If we don’t process these things the body will start sending signals such as the subtle aches and pains we all complain about, and that if push these off the body will continue to get louder and louder until something snaps. Perhaps there is more truth to the Woody Allen once said than we realized, “I never grow angry, I grow a tumor instead”. In fact, according to Dr. Hillary McBride, a leading expert in the field of trauma recovery states. “We now understand scientifically that the adage ‘it’s all in your head’—used to discredit, dismiss, and devalue people’s traumatic suffering—is scientifically incorrect. In fact, there is actually no such thing as something that is in our heads that is not also in our bodies” 7. McBride, H. (Host). (2023, July 12). Holy Hurt Podcast. [Audio podcast episode]. Retrieved from https://holyhurtpodcast.com/ep-01-the-house-is-haunted/
What is exciting about this growing field of understanding is that it offers some very tangible alternatives in working in mental health and trauma recovery. For some it is as simple as bringing intentional movement practices into their lives. It may be as simple as going for a walk, gardening, or adding exercise into their routines. A common referral for those recovering from physical and mental distress is yoga. And there is good reason for it. Yoga is a practice that aids in flexibility and body control. It is easy to access through local community centers, yoga studios and a plethora of online classes. Yoga is a sanskrit word that means to yoke, or connect together like horses pulling a cart. In the same way, the practice of yoga can help connect the mind and body and restore a holistic sense of being.
However there can be barriers in jumping into yoga. It can be intimidating to try stretches and poses, to learn the lingo, as well as some cultural skepticism around yoga. Some people have found alternatives to yoga that they have found effective such as pilates, somatic experiencing, and tai chi. Another consideration is the fact that not every yoga class is the same. Some are more geared toward intense power workouts, others toward building flexibility, and still others focus on intensive breathing practices and spiritual awakening. It can be difficult to navigate what classes, styles and approaches would be helpful. And when working with the lens of mental health and trauma, some practices in yoga could bring out vulnerabilities, and uncomfortable or distressing reactions. When such things are encountered, some people are pulled away from this tool can feel more helpless than before. They can develop fear and mistrust over the very tools that could help them heal. This is where the field of yoga therapy shines as a opportune modality.
Yoga therapy is a different than a yoga class in that it is with a trauma-informed practitioner trained in physical and mental yoga methodologies, as well as scientific evidence based practices in physical and mental well-being. Rather than dropping in a class intended for some level of exercise, it is about incorporating the tools of yoga, (movement, breathwork, mindfulness and rest) in a therapeutic environment. If it were a ven diagram, a yoga therapist bridges the gap between the physical care you may receive from a physiotherapist and the mental support you may receive in traditional talk therapy. It is not seeking to replace either of these professions for to aid individuals in fostering better connections to their own body and mind and being able to use these skills to better communicate, understand and advocate for what they need in those other spaces. Yoga Therapy is client-centered, meaning rather than following along to a predetermined yoga routine, the therapist in creating plans and approaches based on a small group or individual concerns.
In a world where understanding the intricate connection between our physical and mental well-being is paramount, yoga therapy emerges as a beacon of hope. By bridging the gap between physical care and mental support, it offers a holistic approach to healing. If based on this post you find yourself intrigued about yoga therapy, I would love to connect and to explore how I could be a part of your healing journey. Let us embrace these practices not just as exercises but as pathways to reclaiming agency over our own health and happiness.
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