While eastern traditions have long propagated the efficacy of understanding the deep connection of the mind and body in promoting general wellness; the Western thoughts thankfully have now started believing and practicing the same. Even recent developments in this area, backed by growing amounts of research, will support the fact.
Over the years, yoga has grown widely popular. And the rising popularity can is because of the increasing awareness of the connection between physical and mental health. No wonder the US data reveals it’s one of the most commonly practiced form in complementary health care. The benefits of yoga on physical and mental health have numerous proofs that people experience significant health improvement.
For example, you can do some stress and trauma management using yoga, which usually occurs via cultivating mindfulness. How? A combination of breathing exercises, relaxation techniques, and physical movements accomplish the same. In the field of mental health treatment, yoga is much recognized for long-term utilities and rightfully so.
Stress Response And Yoga
One of the most natural reactions of the body towards stressful, life-altering, or threatening situations is the ‘fight-or-flight response.’ This is usually for saving ourselves from imminent physical danger or facing a stressful period, as a challenge from addiction recovery, a relationship phase, or a vital life-changing act.
The body’s prime stress hormone- cortisol, increases with consistent stress, leading to many physical and mental health ailments. Research has proven that yoga can drastically lessen the cortisol levels. This natural decline allows the body to resume its normal state of rest, which furthers healing the mind and normalizes the fight-or-flight response.
Treatment Of Trauma
In case of any traumatic incident or experience, there’s a strong likelihood that the body can become too suppressed or overtly activated, owing to the fight-or-flight response. In these circumstances, the mind experiences continuous fluctuations, and there’s no escaping. From the physical point of view, trauma manifests itself in the body as pain. This is precisely the reason why dis-regulation is a common phenomenon in the somatic and physiological bodily states.
Those who have undergone traumatic incidents report to mental health professionals that mere traditional talk therapies don’t help much. Shifts in insight-based approaches have started to happen, wherein experts realize that complexities get deeply entrenched in the trauma victims’ minds.
In such situations, the behavioral patterns or cognitive frameworks focus upon least caring for the body. It makes sense to reorient the person to his or her body then, relieve the pain, and thereby start the healing process.7
The Concept Of Trauma-Sensitive Yoga
This is one evidence-based practice that targets the symptoms that stem from any traumatic exposure. This yoga works to the core, after individuals undergoing treatment get choices related to the body, and develop the capability to take some effective actions based on what they know about their choices. It uses no physical assists, and the process depends on the tenets of trauma theory, attachment theory, and neuroscience.
In contrast to traditional yoga, TSY emphasizes upon internal experiences of an individual. The person facilitating this treatment to the patient or victim will feel their body is always in the ‘present state.’ It is only possible when they can guide them to feel the little things, like the feet contacting the ground or how a muscle contracts, and so on.
In doing so, the person undergoing this treatment will understand the most appropriate actions they need to take. On the other hand, if administered, yoga would have benefited both the mind and the body and proved helpful for almost any stress, depression, trauma, or even anxiety, and fostered personal growth. However, this specific targeting and recovery wouldn’t have occurred.
What Is The Outcome?
Research has proven that combining TSY with mental health treatments, psychotherapy, and basic wellness practices elevates positive traits. This includes feelings of compassion, acceptance of the self, empowerment, etc. And this occurs because negative symptoms affecting the normal routine activities take a backseat. And with that, you will be able to embrace a positive attitude towards life. Soon you will see yourself being more calm and relaxed, even in stressful situations. With regular practice, yoga and meditation become a way of life, and your mind learns how to calm itself when under stress.
