By Molly Boeder Harris
The number of yoga classes geared specifically toward survivors of sexual violence and other trauma continues to grow, yet many choose not to attend such classes for a number of reasons, not the least of which is fear of outing themselves as a survivor. Those who regularly practice at studios and gyms sometimes connect with a teacher or setting that supports their healing, but others may experience unwanted adjustments, the anxiety of partner poses or terror of not knowing how or whether they have the option to exit a triggering pose.
This is unfortunate because it limits the chances for survivors of sexual violence to use yoga as part of their healing. Given the fact that a person in America is sexually assaulted every two minutes, it’s important for the yoga community to learn about how trauma manifests in the body and acquire techniques for creating a nurturing and empowering environment for survivors.
Why should we settle for only designating certain yoga spaces as appropriate for survivors and narrowing opportunities for healing? Can we re-center survivors’ rights to feel safe and to heal while receiving the incredible benefits that yoga affords alongside our general community?
As a survivor of sexual violence and a yoga instructor, I am inspired by the growing conversation about the many benefits of yoga as a tool for trauma recovery. Yoga is steeped in the belief that the body, mind and spirit are interconnected, thus the practice of yoga is ideally situated to nurture trauma healing.
Sadly, the mental, physical and spiritual shock of sexual trauma often results in an initial fissuring among the body, mind and spirit of a survivor. Some experience momentary or ongoing sensory disconnection from their bodies, while others develop a fierce protectiveness of their bodies plus panic from the feeling of disembodiment. The denial of one’s right to bodily freedom and the silencing of one’s voice that are part of sexual violence can lead to an automatic shutting down of sensation and intuition.
Yoga can be the key to helping survivors begin to safely re-experience sensation in their bodies, since its techniques help build an intimate relationship with the body and ground practitioners in the here and now. Through yoga, survivors can navigate through the aftermath of trauma with an assistance in self-knowledge and self-care. Yoga can also help survivors see their bodies as tools that can carry them through and beyond the deepest layers of their pain.
How can teachers create a yoga class environment that is safe and furthers a survivor’s inward exploration? This requires thoughtful consideration, personal reflection and a willingness to be guided by the student. I believe that once teachers have been sensitized to the mind, body and spiritual impacts of sexual trauma, designing classes that are inclusive and welcoming to survivors becomes quite intuitive.
Seasoned yogis and sexual trauma experts agree that symptoms—be they physical, psychological or more subtle—are messages that we need balance and naturally direct us towards the places within that require our attention. Refining this kind of self-trust through practicing yoga fortifies a survivor’s resilience.
Our communities benefit tremendously when yoga teachers learn about how trauma manifests in the body and acquire techniques for creating a nurturing and empowering environment for survivors. Engaging with the practice of yoga to support my healing as well as teaching survivors has shown me that there remains a great deal of nuance left to be uncovered in how we understand and implement trauma-informed yoga.
This April, Molly Boeder Harris will bring her expertise to the Chicago yoga community. Her workshop will explore resilience after trauma, teach considerations for survivors and identify the parallel practices of both yoga and healing, with the intention of creating sanctuaries for survivors seeking healing through yoga.
“Teaching Sexual Violence Survivors – Infusing Your Yoga Instruction with a Trauma-Informed Lens”
yogaview Lincoln Park 2211 N. Elston Suite 200, Chicago, IL. Saturday, April 18, 2-5:30 p.m. Cost: $40
Molly Boeder Harris is a yoga instructor and founder of The Breathe Network, a non-profit organization that connects survivors of sexual violence with trauma-informed holistic healers.
2 Responses to “Embodied Resilience: Reaching survivors of sexual violence through yoga”
February 9, 2015
GinnyIs there more a link for more information about the April Chicago workshop? How to register? Thank you!
February 27, 2015
MollyHi Ginny, You can visit yogaview’s website and scroll down to mid-April to see more of the workshop details and to register! If you have additional questions you can reach me directly at molly@thebreathenetwork.org Thank you so much for your interest!!!! ~Molly