erson observes. “But you may be able to do it with your body.” The study found that eight female
patients that participated in trauma- sensitive yoga saw significant de- creases in the frequency and severity of their post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms. In a study at the Brigham and Women’s Hospital, in Boston, co-sponsored by the U.S. De- partment of Defense, military veterans enrolled in a 10-week yoga course also showed improvement in PTSD symptoms. A paper presented at a recent International Society for Trau- matic Stress Studies conference stud- ied 64 people that had experienced childhood abuse and neglect; those that participated in a trauma-sensitive yoga course had a 33 percent reduc- tion in PTSD symptoms. Two months later, more than 50 percent in the yoga group experienced greater freedom and were no longer diagnosed as suf- fering from PTSD, compared to the control group’s 21 percent. Yoga can also transform trauma-
tized lives in other ways. “For many traumatized people, being touched intimately can be a trigger,” Emerson remarks. “Yoga may let them feel ready for physical intimacy again. Others have mentioned victories such as be- ing able to go to the grocery store and knowing exactly what foods their bod- ies crave.”
Emerson notes that such programs
emphasize choice and individual em- powerment. “The beauty of yoga is that you reclaim your body as your own.”
Spreading the Word Once largely concentrated on the East Coast, trauma-sensitive yoga programs are spreading. Jennifer Johnston, a research clinician and yoga instructor at Boston’s Mind Body Institute, sees programs like these enriching our cul- ture’s understanding of the physical and mental health connection. “In a country where drugs and surgery are often the first go-to,” she says, “it’s important to remember that things like yoga can change our chemistry, too.”
Sarah Todd is an East Coast-based writer and editor. Connect at
SarahToddInk.com.
natural awakenings September 2013 19
yogabriefs
Pilates’ Powerful Punch P
rofessional athletes Tiger Woods, Serena Wil- liams, Madonna and Julia Roberts all have
something in common—they all practice Pilates to achieve their fitness goals. With an increase of about 450 percent, Pilates participation now has more than 8.5 million Americans participating in regular programs. In 2012, it was the fastest-grow- ing form of exercise in the United States. A complete Pilates program with a reformer
Photo ©
yelp.com/flickr
is one of the most efficient ways to allow athletes to improve strength, flexibility and balance. A well-trained Pilates instructor will educate clients about postural awareness, balance, breathing, body control and concentration. For high-level
athletes or just for exercise as a part of a healthy lifestyle, Pilates is a highly efficient fitness training program for all ages and activity levels.
For more information, call Therapilates at 513-604-6508. See ad, page 21.
Yoga Relieves Back Pain C
search UK, showed that Britons with long-term back pain that took a 12-week yoga course reported 75 percent fewer sick days.
ould a simple yoga class ease chronic back pain? Yes, say researchers in two recent studies. Scientists at the University of Washington found that sub- jects reported a 61 percent decrease in back pain when practicing yoga in a 12-week period compared with doing simple stretching. The researchers attributed their findings, published in Evidence-Based Complementary and Alterna-
tive Medicine, to yoga’s physical and breathing exercises and how they increase awareness and relaxation. Another project, funded by Arthritis Re-
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