The Science
At Trauma Recovery Yoga, we speak in Science, not Sanskrit. The specific postures and techniques that make up the TRY method were chosen intentionally to counteract trauma symptoms, and enhance one's resilience level. Our practice is based in science and psychology and has proven to significantly decrease one's mental and physical trauma symptoms, enhance resilience levels and increase heart-rate variability. Learn how below!
“We just did a study on yoga for people with PTSD. We found that yoga was more effective than any medicine that people have studied up to now. That doesn't mean that yoga cures it, but yoga makes a substantial difference in the right direction.”
— Bessel Van Der Kolk, MD
The Vagus Nerve
Understanding the vagus nerve alone will help you realize why mind-body methods are so essential in trauma recovery. In addition to the breathing techniques utilized throughout TRY practices, here are some specific postures for vagal toning, all of which must be paired with full breaths:
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Seated twist
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Neck rolls
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Forward fold and slowly rolling up
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Side crunches
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Eagle arms & elephant ears
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Guided meditations
Neuroplasticity
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Neuroplasticity is the ability for pathways in the brain to change over time, which studies show can happen at any age.
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The neurons that fire together, wire together.
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Reciting affirmations increases activity in the medial prefrontal cortex and posterior cingulate, connected to self-related processing. When these areas of the brain are strong, they can help protect us from painful, negative or threatening information.
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Affirmations can help effectively lower stress and rumination, both of which contribute to anxiety and depression.
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In TRY, we work with neuroplasticity in the following ways:
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Self-Regulation for Resilience
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Repeatedly rebalancing the nervous system
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Positive affirmations
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Mindfulness practices like Meditation, Breath, Syncing breath and movement
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