The prevalence of military sexual trauma (MST) among female veterans is staggering. In Canada, 44.6% of female veterans reported experiencing unwanted sexual encounters during their military service. For many, this leads to posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), which can result in flashbacks, anxiety, nightmares, avoidance, and intrusive thoughts.

Survivors of MST often grapple with feelings of being punished for the actions of their perpetrators. Additionally, survivors fear that these traumatic experiences may derail their military careers, with some attributing their early discharge from the military to MST.

Kelly Price, a Trauma Center Trauma-Sensitive yoga therapist, explains that trauma profoundly impacts stress management and nervous system regulation. Survivors often experience persistent nervous system dysregulation, which can manifest as heightened anxiety, intrusive memories, difficulty concentrating, and a constant feeling of being ‘on edge’. Many also report emotional numbness, avoidance, fatigue, or disconnection from their bodies, resulting in decreased awareness of internal sensations.

The yoga approach is based on decades of research on somatic therapies which emphasize the mind-body connection. Techniques that enhance awareness of the body’s responses to internal and external stimuli have been shown to aid in trauma recovery. Bessel van der Kolk, a prominent researcher on the physical impacts of trauma and evidence-based somatic treatments, previously found that yoga could reduce PTSD symptoms and improve functioning among trauma survivors.

Trauma-sensitive yoga was originally designed as a Hatha-style yoga intervention. It aims to reduce the body’s stress reactions by focusing on interoception, the sense of one’s internal body signals. Price explains that it provides the opportunity for survivors to reconnect with their bodies safely, practice agency and choice, and increase bodily awareness, enhancing emotional and physical regulation.

Krystal Pérez-Lewis, a facilitator who specializes in domestic violence and sexual abuse, further elaborates on the harmful outcomes of PTSD. She notes that when the nervous system’s defences activate, it can lead to various health issues and feelings of alienation. “I’ve encountered numerous cases exhibiting symptoms like fibromyalgia, headaches, shoulder and neck tension, sleep disturbances, sensory issues, and struggles with physical contact. One prevailing theme is the profound difficulty in feeling at home in one’s body, a sense of estrangement from oneself, where the body becomes associated with danger rather than safety.”

Currently, cognitive processing therapy and prolonged exposure therapy are considered the gold-standards in treating PTSD related to military sexual trauma. Cognitive processing therapy focuses on addressing and changing negative and problematic thinking, while prolonged exposure therapy focuses on guiding survivors in gradually confronting their trauma-related memories. Though effective for many, these approaches often see high dropout rates due to their emotional intensity, which can trigger a resurgence of symptoms during follow-ups.

A recent study by psychologist Belle Zaccari and colleagues explored the effectiveness of body-based approaches, such as trauma-sensitive yoga, in comparison to cognitive-based therapies like cognitive processing therapy. This research not only addressed posttraumatic symptoms but also examined related issues like chronic pain and insomnia, which frequently accompany the disorder.

Zaccari and colleagues recruited female veteran participants with posttraumatic stress disorder from sexual trauma and split them into 2 groups: one group participated in trauma-sensitive yoga, the other participated in cognitive processing therapy. The results indicated that a greater number of participants who completed the yoga no longer met the criteria for a PTSD diagnosis compared to those that completed the cognitive processing therapy.

Moreover, trauma-sensitive yoga demonstrated a 42.6% higher treatment completion rate compared to cognitive processing therapy. Completion rates are crucial indicators of treatment acceptability and engagement. In a mental health field often marked by low treatment initiation and high dropout rates, the increased completion rates associated with this yoga approach are promising.

Pérez-Lewis emphasises that trauma-sensitive yoga fosters agency and choice in movement, acknowledging trauma’s impact on the body and facilitating reconnection to the self. In a supportive environment that promotes autonomy and healthy relationships, individuals can rebuild positive connections with their bodies.

At its core, the approach is more than a yoga practice. It helps veterans process their experiences in a safe and nurturing space, while also cultivating the vital mind-body connection. Ultimately, it not only aids in healing but also empowers veterans to reclaim their bodies and agency.

-Nikita Baxi, Contributing Writer

Image Credits:

Feature: Jessica Radanavong at Unsplash, Creative Commons

First: William Farlow at Unsplash , Creative Commons

Second: Madison Lavern at Unsplash, Creative Commons