Science & Technology / Psychology & Cognitive Studies / Clinical Psychology & Psychoanalysis

Your Body Remembers Trauma: How Yoga Heals What Talk Therapy Can't

Overcoming Trauma through Yoga

David Emerson, Elizabeth Hopper

Most people think trauma lives in your head. But groundbreaking research from The Trauma Center shows it's actually stored in your body. In this video, we explore why traditional therapy often fails trauma survivors, how your heart rate variability and brain activity change after trauma, and why standard yoga classes can actually make things worse. Drawing from the book 'Overcoming Trauma through Yoga' by David Emerson and Elizabeth Hopper, we break down Trauma-Sensitive Yoga (TSY), a bottom-up approach that helps survivors reclaim their bodies without reliving their pain. You'll learn why your body's alarm system gets stuck, how yoga can reboot it, and what to look for in a truly safe yoga practice. This isn't just about stretching—it's about rewriting your nervous system.