Integrating Ancient Wisdom into Trauma-Informed Care: The Chakra System, Yamas and Niyamas, and Kosha System
Strategies for Using Yoga Frameworks to Guide Trauma Informed Decision Making by Julie Johnson
Objectives:
Apply the Kosha, Chakra, Yama and Niyama systems to our thinking, feeling, and doing in our professional and personal work.
Establish self-efficacy in using frameworks to build confidence in making trauma-informed decisions.
Outcomes
Sign up for our FREE Replay of Yoga, Ethics, and Mental Health Panel by Tuesday's end of the day.
Introduction
In recent years, there has been a growing recognition of the importance of trauma-informed care in supporting individuals who have experienced trauma. While evidence-based approaches and therapies play a crucial role, integrating ancient wisdom from Patanjaili’s Yoga Sutras can further enhance the effectiveness of care provision. This blog explores how human care providers can harness the power of the Chakra System, Yamas and Niyamas, and Kosha System to develop trauma-informed decision-making skills.
The Chakra System: Balancing Energy for Healing
The Chakra System, originating from ancient Indian traditions, consists of seven energy centers along the body's central axis. Each chakra corresponds to specific physical, emotional, and spiritual aspects of our being. By understanding and working with these energy centers, care providers can support themselves and trauma survivors in finding balance and healing when encountering challenging experiences.
For example, addressing issues around feeling a personal sense of safeness in our bodies and addressing the chakra (Muladhara) can help create a sense of support and stability when working with trauma survivors. Techniques such as grounding exercises, mindfulness, and noticing how our body feels as we encounter human challenges can be incorporated into care plans to foster a strong foundation for healing.
Here are some inquiry-based questions about inviting the chakras into our daily decision-making in our personal and professional lives.
Inquiries for Trauma-Informed Decision Making for The Chakras:
Thinking: Which Chakra can support me in making mindful decisions that uphold my integrity and clients?
Feeling: What is the quality of emotions when examining an ethical consideration? Which chakra can help me attune to my emotional energy when deciding?
Doing: After making a trauma-informed decision, what energetic quality is present? Is there a Chakra that feels more active after making that decision?
Yamas and Niyamas: Ethical Guidelines for Empathy and Compassion
Derived from the ancient yoga philosophy, the Yamas and Niyamas provide ethical guidelines to inform and shape how care providers engage with trauma survivors. These principles emphasize qualities such as non-violence to self or others (Ahimsa), truthfulness (Satya), and contentment (Santosha), among others.
By embodying these ethics, care providers can use communication techniques and trauma-informed decision-making tools to build an environment that potentially decreases harm for trauma survivors. Practicing non-judgment, active listening, and empathy thinking with these principles foster trust building and self-compassion for the client and the human care provider.
Here are some inquiry-based questions about inviting the yamas and niyamas into our daily decision-making in our personal and professional lives.
Thinking: What is possible for ourselves and the client’s well-being if we start making decisions that could decrease harm?
Feeling: Which yama or niyama could support me in engaging with my emotions as I take mindful action in trauma-informed care?
Doing: Where might I need to take a different course of action to be in alignment with trauma-informed decision-making? Which yama or niyama can support this process?
Learn more about the Yamas and Niyamas
Kosha System: Holistic Approach to Healing
The Kosha System, originating from the ancient Indian text called the Taittiriya Upanishad, describes the layers of our being that contribute to our overall well-being. These layers, or koshas, include the physical body (Annamaya Kosha), energy body (Pranamaya Kosha), mental and emotional body (Manomaya Kosha), wisdom body (Vijnanamaya Kosha), and bliss body (Anandamaya Kosha).
By recognizing and addressing the different layers of trauma survivors' experiences, care providers can take a holistic approach to healing. Integrating yoga, nervous system-friendly breath awareness, trauma-informed mindfulness, and self-compassion can help us connect with these different koshas, facilitating healing on multiple levels.
Here are some inquiry-based questions about inviting the Kosha into our daily decision-making in our personal and professional lives.
Thinking: What’s possible for our well-being if we had space to connect with ourselves and our clients fully?
Feeling: What emotions are you noticing as you read this blog?
What mindful actions can you take to feel more connected to your and your client’s lived experiences supported by the Kosha System?
Conclusion
Incorporating ancient wisdom into trauma-informed care can greatly enhance the effectiveness and impact of care provision. Utilizing the Chakra System, Yamas and Niyamas, and Kosha System allows human care providers to develop trauma-informed decision-making skills that honor their own AND individual's holistic needs. .
Note: The information presented in this blog is intended for informational purposes only. It is important for care providers to seek appropriate training and supervision when integrating these practices into their work.
Go Deeper
Sign up for our FREE Replay of Yoga, Ethics and Mental Health: A Free Webinar to promote our upcoming 8 Week Immersion, “Yoga to Support Psychotherapy.”
HOW TO WATCH:
1. Register for the re-play event ON or BEFORE September 4th.
2. On September 5th, we will send out a link that gives you a solid week to watch the replay of this panel discussion.
3. Schedule a one to one with Julie about the training at the link below: https://calendly.com/integratenetwork/30-minutes-meet-up
4.. If you would like to reach out to one of the panelists about their experience in our program, please feel free to reach out to Integrate for their contact information
**Yoga to Support Psychotherapy is a part of Integrate Trauma Informed Network's Training bridge and qualifies human care providers to be considered for our professional community."
Accessibility:
-Closed Captions
-Learning Guide
Agenda:
-Grounding/Centering
-Emotions Check-In
-Panel discussion on the healing impact of the Kosha
-Panel discussion on the healing impact on the Yamas and Niyamas
-Panel discussion on the healing impact on the Chakras
Sign up!
Community Events
September 16th: Trauma-Informed Professionals Q+A
September 23rd: Human-Centered Communication Practices
September 24th: Conscious Parenting Panel
September 30th: From Accessibility to Disability Q+A