Yoga Teacher Training Forum

Post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a mental health condition that developed and triggered when an individual experienced or exposed to a terrifying incident. PTSD symptoms may include bad dreams, flash backs, anxiety, depression and uncontrollable thoughts etc related to incident. This psychological disorder can have severe effects on brain cells also causing problems in transferring short term memory to long term.

The ancient and unique therapeutic yoga methodology offers long lasting impact on human overall wellness and increases ability to manage mind and emotions effectively. According to a research study published in year 2015 in Annals of New York Academy of Sciences, reported that a well-known PTSD professional observed a group of female patients suffering from this mental health condition. These patients practiced and completed eight hatha yoga classes and showed notably much more improvement in symptoms like occurrence of disturbing thoughts and harshness of clattered nerves as compare to a group that followed eight sessions of another group therapy. The result also stated that yoga therapy improves heart rate unevenness, a major sign of an individual’s ability to calm one self. The approach provides an ultimate self help in reducing stress and offers clarity of mind.

Incorporating techniques such as paranayama breathing, bodily postures, relaxation and mindful meditation help patients in reducing intensity of experienced thoughts and emotions by soothing body and mind also aid in allowing to pass down these feelings quietly. Mantra meditation technique is said to very much beneficial for PTSD patients in achieving mental peace and concentration, the japas works as healing remedy. Restorative supported and nurturing poses when practiced in comfortable and quiet atmosphere can promote body and mental relaxation. These postures teach body how to stay away from stress by balancing hormones, relieving muscular tension, decreasing heart and breathe rate. Here are some powerful yoga postures and breathing pattern that assist in beating PTSD effectively.

• Kapal Bhati Paranayama: This skillful breathing exercise helps to improve circulation of blood and energizes central nervous system. The expert recommended this breathing pattern best for patients suffering from post traumatic stress disorder because it invigorates brain cells and boosts up mind.
• Tad asana: The pose is commonly known as mountain pose and is supportive for PTSD sufferer in lowering down levels of stress by eliminating fatigue and anxiety.
• Konasana: This standing sideways bending one arm pose is also helpful in reducing levels of stress and is necessarily suggested for post traumatic stress disorder sufferer.
• Marjariasana: Commonly known as cat pose, it is a simple and classic yoga posture that is very effective in mental relaxation and improving circulation of blood.
• Setu Band asana: This pose is also known as bridge pose and helps in calming mind. For patients suffering from post traumatic stress conditions this simple and effective posture reduces depression, anxiety and stress.

Savasana: Savasana or corpse pose is a traditional resting posture performed in the end of every practice session. It offers deep relaxation, helps in relieving stress from body and mind also useful in reducing anxiety