silhouette fitness girl practicing yoga on mountain

June is PTSD Awareness month. In an article published by CBC on May 27, 2015, the dispatcher for the Moncton RCMP shooting calls out the Canadian government for more support for those with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). This sentiment is echoed by countless other media reports. There are support groups and resources available where one can talk about their experiences, but what about those who are not ready, or willing, to talk openly about it? What about the memories that are deeply supressed? Or those who believe they will lose their job, their family, their supports due to the stigma of PTSD if they come forward? For those suffering with PTSD or unresolved trauma, there is a loss of connection to one’s true self, the feeling of living inside the mind or emotions, and outside of the body.

Could Yoga, an ancient science of the mind, be the answer? Yoga’s slow methodical flow, linking breath to movement, taking time to feel and listen to the body is being proven by research to be at the forefront of healing trauma. The fact that Yoga can be practiced in any form by anybody, no matter one’s ability or mobility, is empowering and innately healing. In practicing Yoga, we are able to awaken our own inner physician. We learn to listen to the subtle whispers of our body, to acknowledge feelings and movement. We learn to trust ourselves on our journey of healing.

YogaFit for Warriors, created by Lt Col Shaye Molendyke, a 23 year Veteran in the US Air Force and a RYT 500 YogaFit Master Trainer. As Shaye describes, “This deeper, scientific understanding of exactly how Yoga can affect our neurological and neurochemical pathways in the body has allowed us to create a powerful yoga therapy program, YogaFit for Warriors, to truly help those suffering from PTSD as well as anyone with unresolved physical or emotional traumas.” Yoga is increasingly being sought out for its innate healing properties. With an open heart and open mind we all have the right to live the life we chose, to release pain and move forward with acceptance, joy and gratitude.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Lisa Greenbaum E-RYT 500Director