A practical, hands-on, experienced-based guide from a military veteran turned yoga teacher Brendon Abram combines his first-hand experience with PTSD in the field and years of teaching to offer this practical guide to bringing trauma-sensitive yoga to both clinical and studio settings. Drawing on his work with military veterans, first responders, and survivors of domestic and sexual abuse, he emphasizes the importance of respecting the uniqueness of every individual and demonstrates how to use the foundational principles of yoga to create a safe experience. Abram explains that basic principles of yoga bring power to the practice and that breath, mindful movement, focused awareness, and acceptance of present-moment experience form the foundation of any yoga offering.
Survivors of trauma—whether abuse, accidents, or war—can end up profoundly wounded, betrayed by their bodies that failed to get them to safety and that are a source of pain. In order to fully heal from trauma, a connection must be made with oneself, including one’s body. The trauma-sensitive yoga described in this book moves beyond traditional talk therapies that focus on the mind, by bringing the body actively into the healing process. This allows trauma survivors to cultivate a more positive relationship to their body through gentle breath, mindfulness, and movement practices. Overcoming Trauma through Yoga is a book for survivors, clinicians, and yoga instructors who are interested in mind/body healing. It introduces trauma-sensitive yoga, a modified approach to yoga developed in collaboration between yoga teachers and clinicians at the Trauma Center at Justice Resource Institute, led by yoga teacher David Emerson, along with medical doctor Bessel van der Kolk. The book begins with an in-depth description of trauma and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), including a description of how trauma is held in the body and the need for body-based treatment. It offers a brief history of yoga, describes various styles of yoga commonly found in Western practice, and identifies four key themes of trauma-sensitive yoga. Chair-based exercises are described that can be incorporated into individual or group therapy, targeting specific treatment goals, and modifications are offered for mat-based yoga classes. Each exercise includes trauma-sensitive language to introduce the practice, as well as photographs to illustrate the poses. The practices have been offered to a wide range of individuals and groups, including men and women, teens, returning veterans, and others. Rounded out by valuable quotes and case stories, the book presents mindfulness, breathing, and yoga exercises that can be used by home practitioners, yoga teachers, and therapists as a way to cultivate awareness, tolerance, and an increased acceptance of the self.
This practical guide presents the cutting-edge work of the Trauma Center’s yoga therapy program, teaching all therapists how to incorporate it into their practices. When treating a client who has suffered from interpersonal trauma—whether chronic childhood abuse or domestic violence, for example—talk therapy isn’t always the most effective course. For these individuals, the trauma and its effects are so entrenched, so complex, that reducing their experience to a set of symptoms or suggesting a change in cognitive frame or behavioral pattern ignores a very basic but critical player: the body. In cases of complex trauma, mental health professionals largely agree that the body itself contains and manifests much of the suffering—self hatred, shame, and fear. Take, for example, a woman who experienced years of childhood sexual abuse and, though very successful in her professional life, has periods of not being able to feel her limbs, sensing an overall disconnection from her very physical being. Reorienting clients to their bodies and building their “body sense” can be the very key to unlocking their pain and building a path toward healing. Based on research studies conducted at the renowned Trauma Center in Brookline, Massachusetts, this book presents the successful intervention known as Trauma-Sensitive Yoga (TSY), an evidence-based program for traumatized clients that helps them to reconnect to their bodies in a safe, deliberate way. Synthesized here and presented in a concise, reader-friendly format, all clinicians, regardless of their background or familiarity with yoga, can understand and use these simple techniques as a way to help their clients achieve deeper, more lasting recovery. Unlike traditional, mat-based yoga, TSY can be practiced without one, in a therapist’s chair or on a couch. Emphasis is always placed on the internal experience of the client him- or herself, not on achieving the proper form or pleasing the therapist. As Emerson carefully explains, the therapist guides the client to become accustomed to feeling something in the body—feet on the ground or a muscle contracting—in the present moment, choosing what to do about it in real time, and taking effective action. In this way, everything about the practice is optional, safe, and gentle, geared to helping clients to befriend their bodies. With over 30 photographs depicting the suggested yoga forms and a final chapter that presents a portfolio of step-by-step yoga practices to use with your clients, this practical book makes yoga therapy for trauma survivors accessible to all clinicians. As an adjunct to your current treatment approach or a much-needed tool to break through to your traumatized clients, Trauma-Sensitive Yoga in Therapy will empower you and your clients on the path to healing.
An essential manual for yoga teachers and students to create a trauma-sensitive practice that benefits and supports all. People are turning to yoga for its stress-reducing practice and transformative philosophy. But for those who have a trauma history, the practice can be triggering. The Essential Guide to Trauma Sensitive Yoga offers an inclusive approach to yoga for teachers and students of all ages and abilities, especially those who have experienced trauma. Some of the themes covered include: How do the impacts of trauma show up in yoga spaces Suggested language for shifting power to the practitioner How to create an environment conducive to healing How to practice or teach poses in a way that includes all And much more This book is beautifully illustrated with 260 photos of poses and sequences, modeled by trauma survivors who share stories of how yoga helps them heal. Land works with people of all ages, from young children to seniors, who are coping with a range of traumas including physical, emotional and sexual abuse, homelessness, genocide, and incarceration. She is a passionate advocate for making the benefits of yoga and mindfulness available to all.
The ultimate guide to the yoga profession—at every stage of your teaching career Yoga has helped you, and now you want to share what you’ve learned. Maybe you’ve just graduated from yoga teacher training, and you’re wondering how to take your next steps. Or perhaps you’ve been teaching for a while, but you feel unsure about how to get a studio job, develop a workshop, establish clear boundaries with your students, or level up in your career. Wherever you are, The Professional Yoga Teacher’s Handbook will help you choose a wise path toward where you want to be. Sage Rountree mines her decades of experience as a yoga teacher, teacher trainer, and studio owner to offer guidance at every turn: Land your first job, and smartly manage your schedule, money, and energy Prepare outside the classroom to ensure that each class is a good one Keep pace with changing Yoga Alliance standards and the expanding world of online teaching React in real time to students’ needs (and gently teach studio etiquette) Figure out whether you want to become a full-time teacher, own a studio, take private clients, lead yoga teacher trainings—or all of the above. Throughout, thoughtful prompts encourage you to articulate your principles, vision, and plans. Instead of telling you what to teach, this book will guide you to your own answers—first and foremost, by asking: How can my teaching be of greatest service to my students?
THIS IS THE BLACK AND WHITE EDITION. There are a lot of yoga books available today. Some focus on anatomy, some on philosophy, and some on teaching. However, none of them cover it all. Until now. Deepening Your Practice pulls the most critical information from more than 50 of the best books and teachers I've found, combined with thousands of hours of experience as a yoga teacher and studio owner to create the only yoga book many students will ever need.
A practical, hands-on, experienced-based guide from a military veteran turned yoga teacher Brendon Abram combines his first-hand experience with PTSD in the field and years of teaching to offer this practical guide to bringing trauma-sensitive yoga to both clinical and studio settings. Drawing on his work with military veterans, first responders, and survivors of domestic and sexual abuse, he emphasizes the importance of respecting the uniqueness of every individual and demonstrates how to use the foundational principles of yoga to create a safe experience. Abram explains that basic principles of yoga bring power to the practice and that breath, mindful movement, focused awareness, and acceptance of present-moment experience form the foundation of any yoga offering.
This essential manual meets the increasing need for yoga teachers to be trauma-informed and trauma-responsive, and aware of how poses, breathwork, and meditation can impact the body. In detailing all aspects of trauma as it relates to yoga teaching, this guide lays a strong foundation in fostering trust and building authentic connections with students safely and confidently. Yoga teachers will benefit from a number of yoga practices for self-regulation, self-determination, and agency, as well as guidance on polyvagal theory, communication, setting boundaries, and yoga teacher self-care. It also includes a de-escalation protocol for in-session trauma responses and how to cultivate a trauma-informed teaching environment. Written by an internationally renowned author duo, this is a universal resource for yoga teachers looking to empower themselves and their clients from all demographics and in all settings.
Building Safety with Trauma-Informed Yoga is an accessible, science-based guide for clinicians, yoga teachers, teachers in training, and practitioners. The book provides clear ideas on how to support diverse groups in trauma recovery and in building resiliency skills. The easy-to-follow format is organized around the three key principles of building safety, supporting empowerment, and maintaining simplicity. Readers will find free downloadable support materials on the author's website, including handouts, flyers, scripts, and audio and video recordings.
“This book will be of immensurable value to counselling and psychotherapy students and qualified therapists alike.” Lesley Dougan, Programme Lead, MA Counselling & Psychotherapy Practice, Liverpool John Moores University, UK “Much is written about trauma, but much less is written with such a depth of practice experience, academic insight and an honouring of the human experience. The authors have brought together so much that is helpful to all those involved in working with trauma. An essential text that takes our understanding to a new level.” Professor Andrew Reeves, Professor of Counselling Professions and Mental Health, University of Chester, UK Trauma Demystified: A Guide for Students and Practitioners is a comprehensive yet accessible introduction to psychological trauma. The authors draw on a wealth of research to encourage readers to reflect and apply these theories to their own contexts. Practical case studies and vignettes guide the reader through each stage of the therapeutic relationship to inform their own treatment and practice. Incorporating a range of approaches and perspectives, the book explores the complex nature of trauma and understands it as a whole-body phenomenon that goes beyond an intrapsychic process. The authors examine the impact of wider societal factors and identify trauma as a relational experience, centring the therapeutic relationship as the means to healing. The book: •Covers topics such as boundary setting, treatment planning and post-traumatic growth •Adopts a transcultural, inclusive perspective •Breaks down complex ideas into accessible approaches •Bridges the gap between theory and practice Written from a multi-dimensional viewpoint, this book provides a holistic and nuanced exploration of trauma. For students and practitioners alike, Trauma Demystified provides a foundational understanding of historical and contemporary trauma practices. Dr Divine Charura is a Professor of Counselling Psychology at York St John University, UK and is a Counselling Psychologist and Coaching Psychologist. Dr Mark McFetridge is a Clinical Tutor at the University of Hull, and was previously the Lead for Psychology at the Retreat, York, UK. Dr Emma Bradshaw is a Counselling Psychologist working in independent practice.
