Trauma-informed Yoga Therapy for Supporting Asylum Seekers, Refugees and New Immigrants

Gina M. Barrett and Mona Flynn offer a masterclass in compassion and practical wisdom. Drawing from their extensive experience as certified yoga therapists, they provide invaluable insights for connecting with individuals whose trauma defies easy expression. This book is not just a guide; it's a testament to the transformative power of seva. Anyone following their thoughtful approach will undoubtedly succeed in offering yoga therapy as a profound act of selfless service. A must-read for those seeking to make a real difference in the lives of vulnerable populations through the healing practice of yoga.

In Trauma-Informed Yoga Therapy for Asylum Seekers, New Immigrants, and Refugees, Gina Barrett offers a compassionate guide that resonates with the heart of yoga's healing potential. This book is a beacon for yoga teachers eager to extend their practice beyond the mat and into the lives of those facing profound trauma. Barrett's insights, drawn from her frontline experience, empower teachers to create safe spaces where healing can begin. By embracing these techniques, yoga instructors can profoundly impact individuals grappling with PTSD and depression, nurturing resilience and hope. This book is essential reading for those committed to using yoga as a tool for transformation and social change.

This book is a "must have" guide especially if considering to offer yoga to refugees and immigrants. I wish it had been available when I developed a yoga program for the Center for Victims of Torture and War Trauma because it brings the theoretical models, polyvagal theory, yoga kosha model, and gunas model together as the authors develop trauma-informed yoga programs for newcomers to a country. The yoga practices offered are ones that consider white privilege, touch, cultural awareness of poses, and communication issues, which are often encountered when working with this population. A suggestion to develop "train the trainer" sessions is an important one because the program then can become community based and supported. The authors also offer recommendations on how to start a nonprofit organization with excellent fund raising and use of volunteer ideas.

This book is a beautiful teaching guide for those wanting to support the healing journey that asylum seekers, refugees, and new immigrants experience as they settle into their new life. The authors have brilliantly partnered both the fundamentals of trauma informed Yoga Therapy and business principles for creating a non-profit or program into one read. They have simplified what may seem to be teaching challenges into an opportunity for many to grow their yoga network. Be inspired with this groundbreaking work in yoga. Let service (Seva) pave the path forward with safety, acceptance and compassion for those reclaiming their life in a newfound community.

This book breaks new ground in the instruction of yoga to stressed populations. The references to polyvagal theory and trauma-informed yoga point to a new era of the integration of traditional yoga practice with current research and theory, which can deepen the benefits of the practice.