Understanding PTSD

Summary of Research Findings

Research, primarily through Randomized Controlled Trials (RCTs) and meta-analyses, strongly suggests that yoga practice is a promising and effective complementary intervention for reducing symptoms of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).

Key Findings and Mechanisms

• Symptom Reduction: Multiple studies, particularly those using Trauma-Sensitive Yoga (TSY), have shown that yoga interventions lead to statistically significant improvements in self-reported PTSD symptom severity, often comparable to well-established psychotherapeutic and pharmacological treatments. Specific areas of improvement include hyperarousal, intrusive thoughts, and re-experiencing symptoms.
• Comorbid Conditions: Yoga interventions have also been consistently shown to significantly reduce co-occurring depressive symptoms in individuals with PTSD.
• Mechanism of Action: The benefit of yoga is believed to stem from its ability to address the somatic (body-based) and physiological dysregulation that is central to PTSD. Key mechanisms include:
  • Increasing Interoceptive Awareness: Yoga (asanas and focused breathing) helps trauma survivors to safely re-engage with and tolerate physical and sensory experiences associated with fear and helplessness, thus countering the common trauma response of avoidance.
  • Autonomic Nervous System (ANS) Regulation: Breathing techniques (Pranayama) and relaxation are hypothesized to shift the body's stress response from the sympathetic nervous system (fight-or-flight) towards the parasympathetic nervous system (rest-and-digest), potentially reducing amygdala hyperactivation and elevated cortisol levels.
  • Emotional Regulation: The mindfulness and non-judgmental awareness cultivated in yoga increase a person's ability to tolerate and manage intense emotions, improving psychological flexibility and reducing reliance on dysfunctional coping mechanisms like expressive suppression.
• Trauma-Sensitive Approach: A critical theme in the successful research is the use of Trauma-Sensitive Yoga (TSY), which emphasizes invitational language, physical space, and choice to help survivors feel safe and empowered, often focusing less on the aesthetic perfection of a pose and more on the internal experience.

van der Kolk et al. (2014)

The Journal of Clinical Psychiatry, 75(8), e1044–e1051

Yoga as an adjunctive treatment for posttraumatic stress disorder: a randomized controlled trial. This landmark study demonstrated that yoga can be an effective adjunctive treatment for PTSD.

Price et al. (2018)

The Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine, 24(5), 452–459

Effectiveness of an Extended Yoga Treatment for Women with Chronic Posttraumatic Stress Disorder. This study showed significant improvements in women with chronic PTSD following extended yoga treatment.

Mitchell et al. (2014)

Journal of Traumatic Stress, 27(5), 614–618

A pilot study of a Kundalini Yoga intervention for women with posttraumatic stress disorder. Demonstrated the potential benefits of Kundalini Yoga specifically for women with PTSD.

Desai & Mehta (2025)

Evidence-based Complementary and Alternative Medicine: eCAM, 2025, 2470719

A Yoga Intervention for Posttraumatic Stress: A Preliminary Randomized Control Trial. Recent research continuing to validate yoga's effectiveness for PTSD treatment.

Cramer et al. (2018)

Complementary Therapies in Medicine, 37, 118–125

Yoga for posttraumatic stress disorder – a systematic review and meta-analysis. Comprehensive analysis of multiple studies showing yoga's therapeutic benefits for PTSD.

Laplaud et al. (2023)

BMC Psychiatry, 23(1), 522

Management of post-traumatic stress disorder symptoms by yoga: an overview. Recent comprehensive overview of yoga's role in managing PTSD symptoms.

Zaccari et al. (2025)

Psychiatry Research, 337, 115984

Efficacy of yoga for post-traumatic stress disorder: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Latest meta-analysis confirming yoga's efficacy for PTSD treatment.