Yoga & Movement
Therapy is often considered an approach to healing that only involves your inner world of thoughts and feelings. However, more and more research has shown that your physical body and its relationship to the brain can be impacted by trauma, difficult life events, and stress (Van Der Kolk, 2014).
YOGA IN THERAPY?
In addition to being a licensed mental health practitioner, I am also a certified yoga teacher.
I use an integrative approach to therapy that considers the physical body and its connection to your mental health. Depending on your needs, the use of gentle asanas, or yoga postures, and other physical movements in combination with other therapeutic techniques, can be used to target physiological symptoms of mental health difficulties seen in, for example, post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), depression, and anxiety etc.
Always consult with your medical provider before engaging in physical activity that may impact any medical conditions.
THE MIND-BODY CONNECTION?
Your brain is naturally equipped with tools to help keep you safe when danger presents itself. When you are faced with an unsafe situation, your brain can turn on your “fight, flight, or freeze” response, thus preparing you mentally as well as physically to respond.
Mentally, you may experience heightened alertness and rapid thoughts (fight or flight), or feelings of going blank or detached from reality (freeze). Physically, your muscles may become tense, “pumped,” and restless (fight or flight), or you may feel disconnected from your body, lethargic, or have difficulty moving (freeze).
In many cases, this automatic response works well to keep you safe. Trouble may arise when the brain perceives a need for the “fight, flight, or freeze” response even when danger is not present. In these cases, interventions and techniques that target the physical body can help with self-regulation and improve a sense of safety in your physical body.