Therapeutic Yoga for Trauma Recovery: Applying the Principles of Polyvagal Theory for Self-Discovery, Embodied Healing, and Meaningful Change

I have studied yoga since I was 15 years old, ( I am 68 Now.) all versions, Patanjali, all the classics...practiced with many teachers from all different styles. Through my studies of psychological trauma and the work of Stephen Porges, I discovered the work of Dr. Arielle Schwartz. "Therapeutic Yoga for Trauma Recovery" is the most potent, lucid, helpful yoga book ever written revealing the natural and transformative power of yoga and how the instructions of the ancient yogis are revitalized, and put back in service of humanity, through profound life giving insights derived from contemporary neuroscience and psychotherapy. This synthesis reveals the whole cosmos, human's place in it, and how to harmonize with that whole with awareness of the felt sense in the body as the guiding light. The beginning point is the recognition of past traumas in the felt sense of the body. As the natural energies of the human being are uncovered from these mostly unconscious inner contractions, the cosmos in all its wholeness, and vast alive beauty, is revealed. Life surges through the body and this present moment becomes a conduit, a clear channel, for the energetic Flow of the Universe. This is a rediscovery of a natural state covered over in the modern world by the devastating contractions of personal and legacy burdens of past and ongoing, unspeakable psychological trauma. This psychological imbalance seems to have a self-destructive grip on our planet as we watch planetary civilization in a free fall, wantonly destroying the planet's habitability. Dr. Schwartz's teaching leads us through the dark labyrinth of this personal and planetary psychological imbalance to a new totally alive connection with the Universe through the felt sense in the body. There is great hope that a critical mass of humanity will discover these truths and use them... Dr. Schwartz is an exemplar and embodies all she teaches and I would encourage you to access her sessions on You Tube.

I have a few books on therapeutic yoga for trauma recovery but this has to be the most accessible one.It’s cleanly laid out and has clear photos of the postures. There’s a nice spread of adaptations as well.I like the way it weaves in polyvagal theory and the subtle body. A lovely melding of classical yoga and modern scientific theory.

In Trauma for Yoga Recovery, Dr. Arielle Schwartz will teach you how to heal trauma with the body. First, you have to understand that trauma is not only in your head. Trauma is not just a narrative but a condition that affects the nervous system. In order to heal trauma, you have to learn to listen to your body. By attending to your inner sensations, as we do when we practice yoga, you will develop embodied self-awareness.Feeling safe through embodiment is not an easy task for trauma survivors. In Trauma for Yoga Recovery, Arielle will show you how to do that. Through a neurobiological lens of the polyvagal theory, she explains to both trauma survivors and mental health clinicians how yoga can heal the body and the mind. The best thing about this book is that it combines knowledge and practice. By reading this book and following the many helpful exercises, you will learn not only why trauma can heal, but you will be given a method on how to do it. If you are a therapist who treats trauma, or a person with a history of trauma, you have to read this book.

This is a great book. I’ve just started facilitating a trauma informed yoga group and was already starting to worry that I’d run out ideas quickly but this book has given me fresh ideas and the theory behind it is explained in a very easy to understand way.

Best book I’ve utilized for healing ptsd, and even though I’ve done yoga for years, I’m looking at poses and the practice (beyond Asana) differently. I really appreciate this and also liked her book on CPTSD.