I am privileged to live in a place like Boulder, where it is easy to find conscious-minded folks.  If one wants a class in Yoga or meditation, one need not look far.  Yoga is commonly recommended for stress relief, and for good reason.  It can be wonderful for relaxation, fitness and spiritual well-being.

There are, however, important things to take into account.  If you’re not used to being aware of your body, it can be difficult to jump right into intense body awareness practices.  If you have PTSD, and want to try yoga, I suggest the following:

-Choose small yoga classes, where you have the opportunity for personalized instruction.

-If a pose is painful, let the instructor know.  They should be able to provide adjustments.

-Set boundaries around touch.  Sometimes, people with trauma find sudden touch to be triggering, or at least jarring.  Yoga instructors will often provide adjustments by touching their students. Let them know whether you are OK with this.  Would you rather have verbal instructions about adjustments, rather than touch?  Or, is touch something you feel ambivalent about?  I recommend telling the instructor to ask permission, before touching you…or at least letting you know that they are going to do it. That way, you aren’t taken by surprise.

-Give yourself permission to take a break.  Your yoga practice isn’t helping you if it is causing anxiety%