Trauma is a common experience that we struggle to cope with and process following the event. It is defined as any strong event that injures you at a subtle energetic level. It can be caused by many different events or factors.
Ayurveda understands that we are affected by trauma at different levels of our body – our physical body, our energetic body, and our karmic body.
In Ayurveda, we believe that our life force or prana moves through our body as energy flows through thousands of body and mind channels. Classical Chinese medicine has a similar concept of energy flow through what they call meridians. When this energy flows naturally, we experience peace of mind and optimal health. This is when we feel our true self.
However, when there is a disturbance of this energy flow it will affect both body and mind. Trauma creates a powerful and lasting effect on our energy flow, separating us from our natural selves.
Trauma causes changes in our behavior towards ourselves and others. It can also cause changes in our habits which can lead to self-destructive and harmful behaviours.
Our emotions become dominated by fear, sadness, depression, and anxiety and we feel isolated and disconnected.
The aim of treating trauma in Ayurveda is to restore the natural flow of prana or energy to the body and mind, by healing at the subtle body level.
Common techniques used to restore the flow of prana.
1. Yoga Nidra
This involves the use of guided meditation to promote conscious deep relaxation while also maintaining a heightened sense of awareness and intention. During this practice, patients may experience release of emotions and symptoms associated with past trauma. Guided meditation can be done with a teacher who “guides ” you through a series of images and thoughts during a meditative practice. There are several apps and YouTube videos that can be accessed to try and create the same effect.
2. Meditation
This practice helps by increasing awareness and connectedness to the whole. It creates the mind space for us to slow down and reset allowing the disturbed energy to settle and resume its natural flow. Imagine your mind full of confetti in motion on the wind and trying to calm the wind for all the pieces of confetti to settle to earth.
3. Pranayama or breathing practice
Alternate nostril breathing is a wonderful breathing practice to restore energy flow and achieve balance in the subtle energies of our mind.
It is as simple as it sounds! Breathing in and out alternate nostrils to calmness and balance within the channels of the mind.
4. Body Therapies
These practices are often used in Ayurveda and amongst the most effective are
- Shirodara which involves the pouring of medicated oils onto the 3rd eye [ an area above the nose and between the eyes]. This brings calmness to the mind. This is a practice best done within a clinic setting.
- Self-massage or Abhyanga.
5. Herbal medications
Ayurvedic herbal medications such as Ashwagandha can have powerful stimulating effects on the channels of the mind. These need to be taken only with advice from a qualified Ayurvedic practitioner. Other medications have calming effects.
Of key importance is to recognise that deeply held and experienced trauma can have patterns of energy flows that are established within the body and mind. Therefore patience, faith, and regular persistent practice are needed to reverse them.
With belief and perseverance, Ayurveda can help patients restore the natural flow of prana and rediscover their true selves.
Only then can they move forward to achieve optimal health, and peace of mind and approach the world with an open heart and ultimately love.
