Key Components of Trauma-Informed Yoga Nidra.
| Intervention | Direction | Endpoint | Population | Dosage | Impact | Claim # |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
yoga nidra | decrease | symptoms of trauma | individuals affected by trauma | - | alleviate | #1 |
yoga nidra | decrease | hypervigilance | individuals affected by trauma | - | alleviate | #2 |
yoga nidra | decrease | sleep disturbances | individuals affected by trauma | - | alleviate | #3 |
yoga nidra | decrease | disembodiment | individuals affected by trauma | - | alleviate | #4 |
yoga nidra | increase | adverse reactions | practitioners | - | re-traumatizing side-effects | #5 |
yoga nidra | increase | overwhelming flashbacks | practitioners | - | reported as a result of | #6 |
yoga nidra | increase | emotional distress | practitioners | - | reported as a result of | #7 |
yoga nidra | increase | extended dissociation | practitioners | - | reported as a result of | #8 |
trauma-informed yoga nidra practice | decrease | harm | those living with trauma | - | protect | #9 |
trauma-informed yoga nidra practice | increase | well-being | nonclinical populations | - | extended benefits | #10 |
thoughtful decisions | increase | safety | practitioners under the facilitator's care | - | optimizing | #11 |
thoughtful decisions | increase | benefit | practitioners under the facilitator's care | - | optimizing | #12 |
Trauma exposure is universal to the human condition, with many affected individuals experiencing either posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) or subthreshold manifestations. Both scenarios can become functionally debilitating and collectively lay a heavy burden on individuals and society. Yoga nidra is one adjunctive treatment of growing interest, holding potential for its ability to alleviate symptoms of trauma, including hypervigilance, sleep disturbances, and disembodiment. However, yoga nidra practices can have re-traumatizing side-effects if not delivered conscientiously. For instance, adverse reactions such as overwhelming flashbacks, emotional distress, and extended dissociation have been reported as a result of yoga nidra practice. To prevent harm and maximize yoga nidra's therapeutic potential, 10 key components of trauma-informed yoga nidra practice are presented: (1) safe(r) and comfortable environment; (2) personal autonomy, healthy boundaries, and consent; (3) skillful mindful awareness; (4) appropriate length and preparation; (5) adequate settling and externalization; (6) sleep permission; (7) self-chosen intention; (8) flexible rotation of consciousness and breath awareness; (9) embodied pairs of opposites; and (10) conscientious visualizations. These measures protect those living with trauma and have extended benefits for nonclinical populations as well. That said, some of these components may be adapted based on context, especially in settings where direct feedback is readily available and can be prioritized. Ultimately, thoughtful decisions must be made with the intention of optimizing the safety of and benefit to the practitioners under the facilitator's care.