10 Benefits of Yin Yoga for Sexual Health for Trauma Recovery - none of which have anything to do directly with sex
Using Arousal Energy to Understand and Manage Trauma-Related Symptoms
Trauma can have a lasting impact on a person's physical and emotional well-being, and it can manifest in a variety of ways, including difficulty regulating arousal levels, feeling constantly on edge or hypervigilant, and experiencing a range of symptoms such as flashbacks, anxiety, and depression.
The Yin Yoga for Sexual Health framework, which draws from multiple yogic traditions, trauma research, and the science of fascia, offers a unique approach to addressing these issues by focusing on cultivating a lived experience of softness and space within and around the bodymind, and by working with arousal energy as a means of understanding and managing trauma-related symptoms (if/when appropriate).
One of the key benefits of this approach is that it can help a person to gain insight into their trauma-related symptoms and feel more in control of their body and emotions. By learning about arousal and how it relates to the body's stress response, one can better understand certain symptoms and feel more empowered to manage them. Another benefit of working with arousal energy is that it can help a person to better regulate their arousal levels and manage their trauma-related symptoms. This may involve learning relaxation techniques, such as deep breathing or progressive muscle relaxation, which can help to reduce arousal and promote a sense of calm. It may also involve engaging in activities that help to discharge excess arousal energy, such as physical exercise or expressive arts therapies.
Finally, working with arousal energy can provide a safe and controlled way for a person to gradually confront and process their trauma. This may involve working with a therapist to gradually expose themselves to traumatic memories or triggers in a way that allows them to cope with the accompanying arousal and emotional reactions. By doing so, a person can begin to heal from their trauma and learn to manage their arousal in a more adaptive way.
Overall, the Yin Yoga for Sexual Health framework offers a unique and potentially beneficial approach to addressing trauma-related symptoms by focusing on cultivating a lived experience of softness and space within and around the bodymind, and by working with arousal energy as a means of understanding and managing these symptoms.
Please Note: This framework is NOT meant to replace Trauma Therapy – nor is it meant to be a space for instructors to operate as therapists. Rather, the compassionate and kind context – the purposeful coregulation between practitioner and instructor, and the techniques themselves invite this exploration.