Yoga as an adjunct to trauma-focused counselling for survivors of sexual violence: a qualitative study

Abstract

Although evidence exists for the therapeutic effectiveness of yoga for people with a range of mental health difficulties, further research is necessary to determine its contribution to recovery from sexual violence. This study used Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis to explore the experience of a group-based Forrest yoga programme for woman recovering from experiences of sexual violence. The main themes to emerge were: the importance of being in a group; yoga as a means of facilitating personal learning and change; yoga as an on-going resource for living. These findings indicate that women recovering from rape and sexual abuse may experience yoga as a potentially valuable adjunct to counselling.

A qualitative study examining the lived experiences of stress among female sexual assault survivors in an 8-week trauma-sensitive yoga intervention.

“…Female participants in a study of a 10-week TSY group reported experiencing increased sense of control and confidence as well as “gratitude and compassion, relatedness, acceptance, centeredness, and empowerment” (West et al, 2017, p. 173). Other studies that focused on sexual assault survivors found similar themes such as increased tolerance for being aware in the present moment, ability to use breath to feel more stable, reduced anxiety and negative self-talk, enhanced acceptance and understanding of self (Stevens & McLeod, 2019), enhanced body awareness, regulation, and body and mind connection (Silverberg, 2019; Stevens & McLeod, 2019). Although much of the qualitative research focuses on the general population of survivors of sexual violence and their experiences in TSY groups, a few studies examine TSY as a tool for healing posttraumatic stress among military veterans.…”

“…While our study was unique in that it specifically examined the stress experiences of participants before and after each session of the BIB group across 8 weeks, many of the themes that emerged from our study aligned with the thematic results of other studies examined in our literature review. The most common experience reported by participants in TSY interventions, which was seen across studies we reviewed, was an improved connection to, awareness of, and relationship with one’s body and mind (Bluntzer, 2016; Cushing et al, 2018; Gulden & Jennings, 2016; Jindani & Khalsa, 2015; Neukirch et al, 2019; Rhodes, 2015; Schintler et al, 2020; Silverberg, 2019; Stevens & McLeod, 2019). For example, Cushing and colleagues (2018) reported a theme they referred to as, sense of calm and peace allowing for enhanced body awareness, whereas Stevens and McLeod (2019) referred to a theme of enhanced acceptance and understanding of self, a theme they referred to as the ability to use breath to feel more stable, reduced anxiety and negative self-talk.…”

“…Studies also found participants experienced an increased capacity to maintain awareness of emotions without trying to escape them (Crews et al, 2016; West et al, 2017). Many of these studies’ results also showed an increased ability to manage pain and other physical health benefits from the interventions (Schintler et al, 2020; Stevens & McLeod, 2019).…”

“…The studies reviewed in the previous section varied in their chosen TSY interventions, sample sizes, and data collection. Considering the type of yoga used across the different studies, we found that some reported using specific variations of yoga practices, including Kundalini yoga for posttraumatic stress disorder (Jindani & Khalsa, 2015), trauma-sensitive hatha yoga (West et al, 2017), forest yoga (Stevens & McLeod, 2019), body-based therapy TSY (Schintler et al, 2020), and yoga for self-compassion (Crews et al, 2016). Many studies more generally used the label trauma-sensitive yoga for the intervention they used (Crews et al, 2016; Neukirch et al, 2019; Rhodes, 2015; Silverberg, 2019; West et al, 2017).…”

“…Data were not generally collected throughout the intervention process nor intermittently, such as at premid- and postintervention. Nearly all of the studies conducted interviews at the conclusion of the intervention (Bluntzer, 2016; Crews et al, 2016; Cushing et al, 2018; Jindani & Khalsa, 2015; Neukirch et al, 2019; Rhodes, 2015; Schintler et al, 2020; Silverberg, 2019; Stevens & McLeod, 2019; West et al, 2017). However, Justice and Brems (2019) used a self-report feasibility questionnaire with open-ended questions for participants to provide weekly feedback on their experiences with the intervention itself and their home practice as well as questions about their intention to practice and barriers to practicing.…”