Overcoming Trauma through Yoga: Reclaiming Your Body

A trauma-informed approach to healing body and mind: an evidence-based yoga program for survivors, clinicians, and yoga teachers

Research-backed and trauma-informed, this book introduces a yoga program that helps readers heal from the cognitive, emotional, and physiological symptoms of PTSD. From managing triggers to accessing safety, the approaches and exercises presented in Overcoming Trauma through Yoga are deeply practical and grounded in what survivors need to know to heal from the effects of trauma.
 
The book opens with an introduction written by Bessel van der Kolk, moving into a transformative approach to recovery that was developed by experts at the Trauma Center at Justice Resource Institute. The program facilitates somatic healing through gentle breath, mindfulness, and movement practices, and offers insights on the specific needs of trauma survivors practicing yoga at home or in class: adjusting pace, creating safety, accessing empowered choice, and more.
 
The final chapters offer specific guidance and practical, trauma-informed insights for:

• Survivors to develop a trauma-sensitive practice at home and in the studio
• Clinicians to integrate yoga into clinical care, pair yoga-based interventions with therapeutic goals, and address challenges to yoga-based strategies
• Yoga teachers to build trauma-sensitive yoga classes and learn best practices for responding to triggered responses

“In this landmark book, the authors offer survivors a gentle, step-by-step, mindful yoga that is tailored for their specific needs…it is a great companion and guide to those taking the journey of recovery from trauma to wholeness” (Peter A. Levine).

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.