Yoga-based Trauma Therapy

 
Methods from Sanjivani-Kriya-Yoga help to restore full supply to certain organs such as: Heart, kidneys, lungs, brain, thyroid and intestines to be fully supplied again. Methods from pranayama (breathing techniques of yoga) effectively stabilise patients to better perform confrontation procedures. The postures (asanas) of yoga activate old patterns through increased interoception, to which the brain assigns emotions that additionally feed into confrontation.

 
Acceptance-based mindfulness methods of yoga (pratyahara) enable a better differentiation between inside (interoception) and outside (possible threat) in order to be able to experience security in one’s own body again in the end. With the help of these prerequisites, the Rishikesh series is prepared. The developmental motor stages of experience laid out in the Rishikesh series lead to developmental emotional access and thus to confrontation, which must be accompanied therapeutically.

 
To summarise:
That through Yoga-Based Trauma Therapy (YBT) we strengthen the body so that it can become a safe home. Afterwards, we return to our body in a felt way. From this experience of strength and safety, we experience a distance from the traumas that enables us to take control of our own lives again.

 
YBT has been continuously researched and developed since 2017. A clinical study “YOGAPTSD” has already been completed at the University of Duisburg-Essen. Another clinical study “PRANASPTSD” is currently starting in Germany. Course participants can support this research by becoming study therapists and working with us on research for yoga.

Target group

 
Body therapists, psychotherapists, yoga therapists, physiotherapists, yoga teachers. Body and psychotherapists without yoga experience are just as welcome as yoga teachers without further training in trauma therapy.

Learning content

 
Introduction:
Neuronal and visceral basics of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) with focus on brain, heart, kidneys, lungs, intestines, thyroid. The polyvagal theory according to Steven Porges, scientific research results on PTSD and on yoga. Sunjivani-Kriya yoga techniques, pranayama, stabilisation methods.

 
Module 1:
In module one, the focus is on pratyahara. In pratyahara, attention and mindfulness are directed inwards. When Indriya [the controlling and cause-attributing principle of perception] stops dealing with the signals of inner perception and is replaced by an accepting perception, the signals from the body integrate and lead to post-traumatic growth in the networks of the brain.

 
Module 2:
Asanas from the Rishikesh series for early childhood birth to mid-3rd year.
Specifically, Module 2 is an application of the asana to the muscles that come into development by the middle of the third year of life. This is about muscles that support behaviour in the realisation of needs and autonomy. The experiences stored in the body are used in the pratyahara process. Pranayama is used prophylactically and concomitantly to stabilise the processes.

 
Module 3:
Asanas from the Rishikesh series for middle childhood 3rd year of life to school enrollment.
Specifically, in Module 3 there is an application of the asana to the muscles that come to development from the 3rd year of life to the 6th year of life. Here, the focus is on muscles that support behavior in the implementation of willpower and “going into relationship”. The experiences stored in the body are used in the pratyahara process. Pranayama is used prophylactically and concomitantly to stabilize the processes.

 
Module 4:
Asanas from the Rishikesh series for late childhood enrollment to age 12.
Specifically, in Module 4 there is an application of the asana to the muscles that come to development from the 7th year of life to the 12th year of life. Here, the focus is on muscles that support behavior in the implementation of “conquering and holding territory” and “behavior in the group”. The experiences stored in the body are used in the pratyahara process. Pranayama is used to stabilize the processes prophylactically and accompanying.

Attending the course

 
We recommend attending an introductory course.
 
The 4 modules of Yoga-Based Trauma Therapy can only be booked as a whole and must be completed in the given order. Justified exceptions are possible after consultation. The group forms a safe space for the purpose that the self-experience proceeds positively. Therefore, it is necessary to maintain the cohesiveness of the group.