How Yoga Helps Release Trauma Held in the Body: Insights from "The Body Keeps the Score"

By Frankie Cole

Trauma leaves a lasting impact, not just on the mind but on the body as well. This profound connection between trauma and the physical self is extensively explored in Bessel van der Kolk's seminal work, The Body Keeps the Score. As a yoga teacher, I see the transformative power of yoga in helping individuals release trauma held within their bodies. In this blog, I will delve into how and where trauma manifests in the body, drawing insights from van der Kolk’s research, and explain how yoga, supported by Blue Lotus, can be a vital tool in the healing process.

The Mind-Body Connection in Trauma

Trauma isn’t just a psychological experience; it imprints itself on the body. Van der Kolk emphasises that traumatic experiences alter the brain’s wiring and can manifest in physical symptoms. This understanding shifts the narrative from viewing trauma solely as a mental health issue to recognising its holistic impact on the individual.

Blue Lotus, revered for its calming and heart-opening effects, has long been used to support emotional and spiritual healing. Incorporating it into trauma-release practices can deepen relaxation, enhance emotional processing, and facilitate a sense of inner peace.

How Trauma Manifests in the Body

1. Brain Changes and Neurobiology

   • Amygdala: Heightened activity in this part of the brain, which is responsible for fear and emotion, can lead to an exaggerated startle response and hypervigilance.

   • Hippocampus: Trauma can impair the hippocampus, affecting memory processing and creating a sense of timelessness with traumatic memories.

   • Prefrontal Cortex: This area, responsible for reasoning and impulse control, can become less active, making it harder to regulate emotions and responses.

2. Autonomic Nervous System (ANS) Dysregulation

   • Hyperarousal: Persistent feelings of being on edge, easily startled, and overly alert.

   • Hypoarousal: Feelings of numbness, dissociation, and a lack of energy or engagement with the world.

3. Musculoskeletal System

   • Trauma is often stored in the muscles, leading to chronic tension and pain. Common areas where trauma is stored include:

     • Neck and Shoulders: These areas often carry the weight of stress and anxiety, leading to stiffness and pain.

     • Lower Back: Emotional stress and trauma can manifest as chronic lower back pain.

4. Digestive System

   • The gut-brain connection is significant in trauma responses. Many trauma survivors experience gastrointestinal issues such as:

     • Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS): Stress and trauma can exacerbate symptoms of IBS, including pain, bloating, and changes in bowel habits.

     • Appetite Changes: Trauma can lead to either a loss of appetite or compulsive eating as coping mechanisms.

5. Immune System Suppression

   • Chronic trauma can weaken the immune system, making individuals more susceptible to illnesses. The constant state of fight-or-flight can suppress immune function, leading to frequent infections and slower recovery times.

Healing Trauma with Yoga and Blue Lotus

Understanding how trauma is held in the body is crucial for effective healing. Yoga provides a holistic approach to releasing stored tension and rewiring the nervous system. Combining yoga with Blue Lotus enhances these effects, offering a profound sense of relaxation, emotional release, and energetic balance.

1. Mindfulness and Meditation

• Practices that promote body awareness help individuals reconnect with their bodies and release stored tension.

• Mindfulness can help regulate the autonomic nervous system, reducing hyperarousal or dissociation.

• Blue Lotus: Drinking Blue Lotus tea before meditation can deepen relaxation and emotional processing, allowing for a more intuitive connection to one’s inner self.

2. Physical Activity and Yoga

• Engaging in gentle movement and breathwork helps release tension held in the muscles.

• Yoga strengthens the body while promoting flexibility and balance, creating a safe space to explore emotional release.

• Blue Lotus: Incorporating Blue Lotus tea before or after yoga sessions encourages a deeper state of presence and relaxation, supporting the nervous system’s return to balance.

3. Somatic Therapies

• Yoga can be seen as a form of somatic therapy, where gentle movements and prolonged holds in postures encourage trauma processing.

• Yin Yoga, in particular, allows for deeper introspection and emotional release.

• Blue Lotus: The plant’s heart-opening qualities enhance this process by soothing the nervous system and promoting a state of surrender.

4. Breathwork and Nervous System Regulation

• Pranayama (breath control) can activate the parasympathetic nervous system, reducing stress and anxiety.

• Blue Lotus: Sipping Blue Lotus tea before breathwork can amplify its calming effects, easing tension in the body and mind.

5. Building Safe and Supportive Connections

• Trauma healing thrives in safe and supportive relationships. Yoga communities provide spaces for individuals to feel seen, heard, and understood.

• Blue Lotus: Shared tea rituals can foster connection, grounding individuals in the present moment and reinforcing feelings of safety.

Conclusion

Bessel van der Kolk’s The Body Keeps the Score provides invaluable insights into how trauma is stored in the body and how we can approach healing through movement and awareness. Yoga, with its emphasis on mindfulness, breath, and movement, offers a powerful tool for releasing trauma and rewiring the nervous system.

When combined with the soothing and heart-opening properties of Blue Lotus, yoga becomes an even more potent practice for healing and transformation. Whether you are new to yoga or have been practicing for years, integrating Blue Lotus into your routine can help create a deeper sense of calm, balance, and emotional release.

Healing from trauma is a journey, but with the right tools—including yoga, mindfulness, and Blue Lotus—it is possible to move forward with greater ease, self-awareness, and inner peace.