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Abstract

There is a growing interest in offering yoga for trauma within the charity sector, private practices, and the NHS. Although there is research into the outcomes of yoga for trauma, the processing of trauma that takes place when people practice yoga alongside therapy remains poorly understood. Therefore, this study explores the question: How do individuals process trauma using yoga and therapy?

This is a qualitative study, using a constructivist grounded theory methodology. Seven participants were recruited in total, some from an NHS service and others from the wider public, including three client participants and four professionals (yoga teachers, psychotherapists and psychologists). Diary entries and semi-structured interviews were used for data collection. Through data analysis, the following process was constructed. This process begins with clients being supported to connect to trauma through their therapists and yoga practice. In yoga, the practitioner facilitates relational safety, allowing clients to establish embodied safety. This provides the context for embodied change, such as increased self-awareness and confidence. Yoga offers grounding and release, which facilitates continued engagement in trauma therapy. The outcomes and processes in both interventions were experienced as becoming intertwined. Participants described processing through yoga as ongoing, enabling trauma processing beyond these interventions.

These findings offer an empirically informed theory which enables an understanding of how yoga and therapy complement each other which has several clinical implications. The findings also highlight the importance of relational safety within yoga, and additionally, the embodied nature of trauma processing.

Publication Type:	Thesis (Doctoral)
Subjects:	B Philosophy. Psychology. Religion > BF Psychology R Medicine > RM Therapeutics. Pharmacology
Departments:	School of Health & Medical Sciences > Department of Psychology & Neuroscience School of Health & Medical Sciences > School of Health & Medical Sciences Doctoral Theses Doctoral Theses

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