Yoga therapy utilizes yoga poses, breathing exercises, guided imagery, and meditation to improve physical, mental, and emotional health. The holistic nature of yoga encourages the integration of mind, body, and spirit. Yoga therapy incorporates elements of physical therapy and psychotherapy. A growing field, yoga therapy has been widely studied, and this research supports its effectiveness for treating a wide range of disorders, including trauma. At Harmony Hills’ trauma therapy program in Florida, yoga therapy is part of comprehensive treatment for many clients. Call 855.494.0357 today to learn about all of our treatment options.
What Are the Benefits of Yoga Therapy for Trauma?
Unfortunately, most people will experience some form of trauma at some point in their lives. A traumatic event usually involves a threat of harm to a person’s physical safety or wellbeing. However, any event or situation that leaves someone feeling isolated, afraid, or overwhelmed can result in trauma. For example, bullying, emotional abuse, the death of a loved one, or significant life events such as divorce are all sources of trauma.
For most, the effects of trauma pass over the weeks or months following the event, and they can move on. However, sometimes the brain gets stuck in the trauma, leading to mental health disorders, including anxiety, depression, and PTSD. Trauma causes physical changes in the brain, and yoga therapy addresses these changes. Some of the benefits of yoga therapy include:
- Reduces anxiety and anger
- Reduces the impact of exaggerated stress responses (fight, flight, freeze, or fawn)
- Provides techniques for emotional regulation
- Improves concentration, focus, and attention
- Fosters self-awareness
- Enhances relaxation, sleep, and overall mood
- Fosters behavior regulation
Yoga therapy also has numerous physical benefits, including:
- Reduced cortisol levels
- Lower heart rate
- Lower blood pressure
- Increased strength and flexibility
- Reduced muscle tension
- Symptom relief from asthma and allergies
- Slowed aging process
Yoga therapy is practiced in a wide range of formats and levels of difficulty. Yoga therapy should be an adjunct therapy to complement other holistic and evidence-based treatment modalities.
What to Expect in Trauma Therapy
Trauma is emotionally, psychologically, and sometimes physically painful. Untreated trauma often leads to mental health disorders, including PTSD and other anxiety disorders, depression, and substance use disorders. A trauma therapy program in Florida can help individuals:
- Reduce or eliminate the symptoms of trauma
- Shift focus from the past to the present
- Process past trauma without being stuck in it
- Overcome substance use disorders associated with trauma
- Improve daily functioning
- Learn to identify and cope with triggers in healthy ways
- Improve communication skills and rebuild relationships
The effects of trauma are far-reaching, impacting all areas of life, and are also highly individualized. Even when a traumatic event is a shared experience, each individual will react differently. That said, there are some common physical and psychological symptoms of trauma, such as:
- Confusion or difficulty concentrating
- Mood swings, irritability, or angry outbursts
- Fatigue and sleep disturbances, like insomnia or nightmares
- Being easily startled, worried, or fearful
- Headaches and body aches
- Withdrawal or social isolation
- Feeling sad, hopeless, disconnected, or numb
Many trauma victims also experience guilt, shame, or self-blame, particularly when they have experienced mental, physical, or sexual abuse.
Contact Harmony Hills for Comprehensive Trauma Treatment
In a trauma treatment program, individuals learn to process trauma by breaking the brain’s connections to the trauma. At Harmony Hills, we help clients accomplish this by providing comprehensive trauma therapy that utilizes a combination of holistic and evidence-based treatments, including:
- Cognitive-behavioral therapy
- EMDR therapy
- Group therapy
- Yoga therapy
- Meditation and mindfulness practices
- Nutrition and fitness
- Individual therapy
The symptoms of trauma vary significantly among individuals. However, many find victims turn to drugs or alcohol to relieve their symptoms. While substance use may provide temporary relief, it only exacerbates trauma symptoms in the long run. Harmony Hills offers dual diagnosis treatment. When you are ready to heal from trauma, contact Harmony Hills to learn about how our trauma therapy program can help. Use our online form or call 855.494.0357.
