and physically, healing from it requires our recog-
nition of its impact throughout our whole being.
It roots itself in how we view the world, in our
physical health, and in our trust, faith, and belief
in what is possible in our lives. However, through
holistic, intentional and long-term support, we as
humans continue to demonstrate our ability to
reclaim our lives.
spirit, joy can stake its claim again where pain,
suffering, despair, and anguish have prevailed. As
Peter Levine observes:
are born with an innate capacity to triumph over
trauma. I believe not only that trauma is curable,
but that the healing process can be a catalyst for
profound awakening--a portal opening to emo-
tional and genuine spiritual transformation."
revered for its healing properties for centuries. Now,
Western doctors and psychotherapists are discovering yoga's
power to heal the wounds of trauma and restore balance to
mind, body and spirit.
Teacher and Joyful Heart retreat
alum, Kara Greenspun. In our West-
ern culture, this thought used to be a
novel one, despite yoga's 5000 year
history of healing and rejuvenation.
Now, however, Western psychologi-
cal and medical professionals are
beginning to recognize the powerful
therapeutic benefits of this ancient
practice.
in resolving trauma is gaining more
and more credibility," says Maile
Zambuto, Executive Director of
Joyful Heart. "Judith Herman, Bessel
van der Kolk, Babette Rothschild,
Peter Levine--pioneers in the field of
trauma recovery--are all incorporat-
ing body/mind therapy in their ap-
proach to working with survivors."
ally acclaimed Trauma Center at Jus-
tice Resource Institute in Brookline,
MA, has implemented a trauma-
sensitive yoga curriculum for clients
of the Center. Through research
van der Kolk has dis-covered the
profound effects that regular yoga
practice can have on healing physi-
cal, mental and spiritual trauma. Not
a proponent of replacing traditional
talk therapy, van der Kolk advocates
yoga as a complementary process,
working alongside more traditional
methods. "Unless you befriend your
body," van der Kolk says, "you can-
not become well."
tool, a recent issue of the Harvard
Mental Health Letter cites several
clinical studies, which tout yoga as
an effective method to help relieve
the symptoms of anxiety and
depression. One controlled study,
published in 2005, tracked the pro-
gress of 24 "emotionally distressed"
women. At the end of the study, the
women who had incorporated
regular yoga practice into their lives
improved their scores for feelings of
"overall well being" by 65 percent.
modalities.
significantly reduced disordered
eating behaviors in women.
www.health.harvard.edu