Chapters authored
Yoga Rehabilitation Theory: An Exploration into the Power to Heal Trauma
History documents the health benefits of yoga for self-healing and self-realisation. Yet how does yoga benefit individuals who have endured significant physiological, psychological and mental trauma? It can be argued that trauma frequently requires a re-adjustment to one’s identity and their meaning of life, often connected to a self-healing and self-realisation framework. Yet, what role can yoga play? Accordingly, this chapter sets out to raise consciousness about yoga therapy principles in order to highlight, promote and inform such benefits. This chapter will draw on empirical discussions surrounding medical and social models of disability, as a way to highlight an increase need for awareness and acceptance of physiological, psychological and mental traumas through yoga. In conjunction, significant theoretical models underpin this narrative as a means of informing this emerging topic, specifically, Social Identity Theory (SIT), Self-Determination Theory (SDT) and Post-Traumatic Growth (PTG). The in-depth findings herein suggest that the novel concept of Yoga Rehabilitation Theory (YRT) understands the restorative power of yoga through identity adaptation, self-determination and positive transformations relating to meaning in life. It is suggested that the power of yoga resonates beyond a mind-body connection, to a deepening sense of purpose and transcendence for those that need it most.
Part of the book: Yoga