Why Yoga?
The benefits of yoga are well-documented and numerous. Increased flexibility and muscle strength, improved posture, a more balanced metabolism, increased energy, improved cardiovascular health, improved self-confidence and body image, increased attentiveness, lowered irritability, and improved efficiency.
The list goes on and on.
But why pair yoga therapy with talk therapy specifically?
Yoga as a complement to mental health therapy has been widely studied and supported as well. And it all comes down to the mind-body connection. Yoga helps you to be present with your body, notice your physical sensations with curiosity, not judgment, and learn how to be mindful of your thoughts and self-talk. In addition to helping reduce anxiety and depression symptoms, yoga has been shown to be an effective treatment for trauma too.
Bessel van der Kolk, author of the seminal book on trauma, The Body Keeps the Score, says this of trauma’s relationship with the body:
Trauma is actually the residue from the past as it settles into your body. It’s located inside your own skin. When people are traumatized, they become afraid of their physical sensations; their breathing becomes shallow, and they become uptight and frightened about what they’re feeling inside. When you slow down your breathing with yoga, you can increase your heart rate variability, and that decreases stress. Yoga opens you up to feeling every aspect of your body’s sensations. It’s a gentle, safe way for people to befriend their bodies, where the trauma of the past is stored.
When you practice being with your body in a safe space, with a trusted guide, you begin to reteach your brain that your body is your ally, not your enemy.
You allow your body to feel the emotions that have been stored away and stuffed down and as your body does so, the feelings begin to move out and through. It’s not uncommon for people practicing yoga to suddenly experience a release of emotion during a session – almost like the body is breathing a deep sigh of relief.
There are times when solely talking about an experience or stressor or traumatic memory just doesn’t cut it.
You still feel weighed down and heavy afterwards. The emotion – the anxiety, the fear, the grief, the anger – remain stuck in your body. That’s where yoga comes in. When you pair movement with talk therapy, you’re joining together the mind and body to work towards the same goal.
We as humans are complex creatures. We’re not just a mind that remembers the past or worries about the future. We’re bodies too. Bodies that carry us through the hard times, bodies that feel and remember, too. It’s so important – essential, even – that we include them in the healing process as well.
Meet Our Yoga Therapy Facilitator
Annette Deguch, LSW, 500 Hr Yoga Facilitator
Annette Deguch is both a licensed social worker and RYT500 Certified Yoga Facilitator. Annette has worked as a counselor in the area for 15-plus years. She loves helping people heal by walking with them on their journey and encouraging them to live their most authentic lives. She offers private yoga sessions in-person and via zoom as well as hosts a variety of classes and series throughout the year in our Revive studio room.
Private yoga therapy
$75 per session