In recent years, there has been growing recognition of the importance of holistic healing practices such as restorative yoga, expressive arts programming, and mindfulness and sensory-based practices in supporting the recovery of individuals affected by trauma, including survivors of human trafficking. Trauma-informed yoga combines the healing power of yoga with an understanding of trauma and its impact on the body and mind. Research suggests that trauma-informed yoga holds promise in promoting positive mental health outcomes for individuals experiencing anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). At Eleison, we offer a 12-week group mental health program called Healing and Resilience after Trauma (HaRT) for survivors of human trafficking and gender-based violence. This program incorporates mindfulness, mind-body practices, and supportive group discussions by exploring three core themes: safety in the body, radical self-love, and healthy relationships.
We recently spoke with Dr. Malabika Das, a member of our Advisory Board, who provided insights on trauma-informed yoga and its impact on healing. Dr. Das is a social work professor, yoga teacher, and consultant with a background in community mental health, crisis intervention, and services for domestic violence survivors. When asked about how our mission at Eleison aligns with her values and beliefs, Dr. Das emphasized the importance of integrative and holistic approaches:
“My personal values and beliefs are largely aligned with multidisciplinary and integrative approaches, holistic wellness, equity, justice, and inclusion. I feel a strong resonance with Eleison’s mission of survivor-centered integrative approaches that aim to build sustained collective strength and resilience.”
Dr. Das further shared how trauma-informed yoga plays a crucial role in supporting the mental, emotional, and physical well-being of trauma survivors:
“The yoga journey often consists of body, mind, and breath practices that aim to regulate the nervous system and promote deeper self-exploration. A trauma-informed approach enables a deeper understanding of and sensitivity to the impact of trauma and stressors on the human condition. It is a holistic approach taking into perspective that all of us carry with us a range of life experiences and stories of both pain and triumph. Trauma-informed care is an essential core approach that can enable safety, inner resources, and agency. Feeling safe in a space, including our own bodies, is an individual process. Hence, being trauma-informed in this setting enables a key safety feature for participants.”
Dr. Das expressed her deep appreciation for the HaRT program, which integrates yoga and trauma-informed care.
“As an integrative social worker and yoga guide, I have experienced and witnessed how yoga can be an effective practice for healing. I deeply appreciate the HaRT program using both approaches to implement a valuable program for Eleison clients and the community. It’s exciting to witness its growth and demand in the community—enabling more participants to access the program’s features of healing, resilience, and empowerment. Importantly, the program is adding to the critical research around holistic yoga well-being programs from a survivor-centered and trauma-informed lens.”
The Eleison team is grateful to Dr. Das for her ongoing support for our work and for the HaRT program specifically. Through collaboration with pioneering scholars and practitioners such Dr. Das, we can continue to enhance access to trauma-informed, integrative, collective care for survivors. If you’d like to learn more about our trauma-informed yoga programming or support our work, we invite you to reach out to us or donate through our website.
