Science & Soma: Why Yoga Therapy Works in Addressing Trauma
Science & Soma: Why Yoga Therapy Works in Addressing Trauma
Ancient Vedic practices understood what we are just now coming to terms with in modern science: that integrating the body is an essential part of healing trauma.
This goes way beyond the idea that "The Body Keeps the Score," and into the understanding that the body and brain communicate in every lived experience as a holistic ecosystem. When one part suffers, the entire system feels the effects.
What Actually Is Trauma?
Trauma is not simply going through a painful or difficult experience—it's being unable to escape or fix that situation. Our brains are wired to keep us safe, and when we cannot make ourselves or others around us safe, we develop coping mechanisms to process the experience.
One of the most common mechanisms is dissociation—we mentally remove ourselves from our body to survive the situation. When we disconnect from our body, we essentially shut down parts of ourselves. These parts go offline and often don't automatically reactivate after the traumatic experience has passed.
Have you ever noticed how, years after experiencing something difficult, certain sensations can trigger unexpected emotional responses? This is your body communicating that something hasn't been integrated or processed due to the dissociation it needed to engage in to survive. These unprocessed experiences manifest as stress symptoms throughout the body, expressing themselves through various physical ailments and mental health challenges—from depression and anxiety to insomnia, dizziness, heart problems, chronic inflammation, and more.
The Somatic Solution
This is precisely why somatic practices are so invaluable. We must reintegrate these shut-down parts of our body—otherwise, our entire ecosystem slowly begins to deteriorate.
Modern science has begun to validate this understanding over the past decade, particularly through research on somatic practices such as:
Trauma-informed yoga
Mindful meditation
Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT)
Tai chi
Sensorimotor psychotherapy
These trauma-informed somatic approaches empower individuals to find safety within their body again. They work by helping people integrate their trauma and build resilience through:
Regulating the breath
Getting energy flowing gently through the entire body
Creating new neural pathways through mindful movement
Establishing a sense of safety in the present moment
While trauma symptoms may never completely disappear, individuals can integrate tools that help symptoms diminish and last much shorter periods of time. The beauty of these practices is that they honor the body's wisdom and natural healing capacities, rather than bypassing them.
The Shifting Landscape of Trauma Treatment
Psychology is beginning to shift how it views trauma, and you can see that reflected in popular psychology with an increasing presence of somatic experts and practitioners. Many traditional talk therapies are now incorporating body-based approaches as complementary treatments.
However, there's an important caution here. The growing popularity of somatic approaches has led to self-promoted "experts" in the yoga or life coaching world who actually have no real training in trauma. These well-meaning but underprepared practitioners risk re-triggering their clients by having them engage in practices that aren't appropriate for their needs.
Finding Authentic Support
If you feel that somatic support could benefit your healing journey, I highly recommend finding a well-trained and certified professional in your area. Look for practitioners with specific trauma-informed training, not just general yoga or mindfulness certifications.
If you would like to work with me in-person on the Big Island of Hawaii or online, I bring both ancient wisdom and modern understanding to my trauma-informed approach. Schedule a free consultation with me here to discuss how we might work together to restore your body's natural capacity for healing and resilience.
Remember: The journey back to embodiment after trauma is deeply personal. There is no one-size-fits-all approach, and healing happens at its own pace—your pace. Be gentle with yourself as you explore these pathways to wholeness.