Bringing Yoga into Therapy: A Somatic Approach to Healing

As a yoga teacher working within a therapy practice, I have the privilege of witnessing firsthand how the integration of yoga can enhance traditional mental health treatment. Yoga is more than just movement; it is a powerful tool for self-regulation, emotional processing, and trauma recovery. When we blend yoga with therapy, we help individuals reconnect with their bodies, build resilience, and find new ways to cope with stress. Science backs this up, showing that yoga has measurable benefits for trauma survivors, individuals facing chronic stress, and those struggling with emotional regulation.

Yoga for Trauma Recovery

Trauma lives in the body. For many individuals who have experienced trauma, traditional talk therapy alone may not be enough to facilitate healing. The body holds memories of trauma in ways that words cannot always access, sometimes leading to chronic tension, hypervigilance, or dissociation. Yoga offers a pathway back to safety by gently reconnecting individuals with their bodily sensations in a controlled, supportive environment.

Studies have found that yoga can reduce symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) by regulating the autonomic nervous system and improving interoception—the ability to sense what’s happening inside our bodies. Trauma-sensitive yoga practices emphasize choice, safety, and bodily autonomy, allowing participants to regain a sense of control and self-trust.

Coping with Chronic Stress

Chronic stress can take a serious toll on both mental and physical health. Stress activates the sympathetic nervous system, fight-or-flight response, and floods the body with stress hormones like cortisol. Over time, this can lead to exhaustion and burnout.

Somatic yoga engages the parasympathetic nervous system, which is responsible for the body's rest-and-digest functions. This is essentially the reversal of the sympathetic nervous system’s activation, allowing the body to shift out of survival mode and into a state of restoration. Slow, mindful movements, deep breathing, and guided relaxation techniques have been shown to lower cortisol levels and promote a state of calm. When combined with regular therapy, yoga can help clients develop a toolkit for self-soothing, allowing them to shift from chronic stress to a state of ease and balance.

Integrating Yoga into Therapy

I collaborate with the therapists at Enhancing Intimacy Counseling to tailor private yoga practices to each client’s needs. During a private yoga session, I incorporate gentle movements, breathing exercises, mindfulness, and body awareness to complement therapy. These practices help clients reconnect with their bodies, regulate emotions, and develop coping techniques that support their healing journey.

If you are someone on a healing path, I encourage you to explore the integration of yoga into your therapeutic work. The body holds profound wisdom, and by learning to listen to it, we unlock new possibilities for healing and transformation.

Schedule a Session

If you’d like to explore how yoga can support your healing journey, I would love to work with you. To schedule a private yoga session, please contact our office at 512-994-2588.

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Emily Gardner is a yoga teacher and recreational therapist specializing in the integration of yoga into mental health care. With a deep understanding of how the body holds stress and trauma, she provides individualized yoga sessions within Enhancing Intimacy Counseling, supporting clients on their healing journeys. Emily blends gentle movement, breathwork, mindfulness, and body awareness to complement traditional therapy, helping individuals cultivate emotional regulation, resilience, and a deeper connection to themselves.

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References

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Jindani, F., & Khalsa, G. F. (2015). A yoga intervention program for patients suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder: A randomized controlled trial. Journal of Evidence-Based Complementary & Alternative Medicine, 20(4), 282-295. https://doi.org/10.1177/2156587215603840

Pascoe, M. C., & Bauer, I. E. (2015). A systematic review of randomised control trials on the effects of yoga on stress measures and mood. Journal of Psychiatric Research, 68, 270-282. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jpsychires.2015.07.013

Van der Kolk, B. A. (2014). The body keeps the score: Brain, mind, and body in the healing of trauma. Viking.

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