When I started practising yoga in 1985 it was an intuitive attraction. It felt like I already knew what yoga was, it was like a subterranean memory of something I had practised in another lifetime.
I found yoga very easy and when I practised, it felt like it was nourishing my soul, not just a physical exercise of stretching.
After many years of practising yoga and experimenting I have developed a sadhana that, in my opinion heals deep trauma.
Some of the practises I do to this day to heal myself from childhood trauma are:
Sun salutation, alternative nostril breathing, humming bee breath, chanting the maha mrityunjaya healing mantra daily, gayatri mantra, aum chanting and antar mouna. Yoga nidra is also a staple that I have been practising for 39 years nearly daily.
Calm the body by postures, prepare the mind for concentration by doing breathing, practising concentration by chanting and practising meditation techniques like antar mouna. These practises develop inner strength and stability to be able to face trauma that has been suppressed.
A sadhana may look like:
Morning upon waking
- 3 Aums
- Sun salutation
- Postures
- Alternative nostril breathing
- Chanting meditation ie., 108 rounds of aum chanting
- Antar mouna (helps to process the memories and integrate them and train your mind to dispose of thoughts and experiences)
Night time
- Yoga nidra
The secret of healing trauma is to do a little bit each day over a long period of time and chosing a sadhana that resonates with you or practises you feel attracted to.
Lotus Fire Natural Therapies & Yoga - Ayurveda, Yoga, Herbal Medicine, Flower Essences & Reiki, 2025 