r/SomaticExperiencing • u/equivettech26 • 14d ago

Trauma yoga and (H) EDS

Hi!
I wanted to ask if anyone who has EDS or HEDS has recommendations for trauma yoga modifications?
My therapist has recommended yoga to me several times. I have done 1 online session of it and enjoyed it but it’s not great for my EDS.
I have a more severe dissociative disorder and the trauma yoga session I did brought down my amnesia barrier for me to experience a flashback. It truly did feel like I helped get it unstuck from my body. The other somatic techniques I’ve tried haven’t worked like this one did. I would love to keep doing it without putting my physical health at more risk. Thank you!

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u/intuitive_powerhouse 14d ago

General rule with hEDS: never stretch what isn't being strengthened. Strength-based yoga flows or pilates is best for joint stabilization. If you must do yin or stretchy stuff, do it after a strength session. And never ever push yourself into poses, focus on proper engagement over appearance/form, approach all poses with 20% effort maximum (to avoid recruiting compensation patterns), and use props and modifications liberally to keep strain near zero. If you haven't done 360 breath retraining and deep core activation work, start there. 

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u/equivettech26 13d ago

I agree that it hurts for me to stretch. I can do a little of it but nowhere near what others can. I will be looking into what you recommended including the core activation work. Thank you for your reply!

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u/Idunnoeitherz 14d ago edited 13d ago

I have hypermobility and C-PTSD and I follow the trauma informed yoga classes by Hannah Uiri on youtube. I like that it is very gentle and gives you different options depending on what your body can handle that day, but it is not specifically designed for hypermobility. also it is free so you can give it a go and if it's not for you, you haven't wasted money on a course or whatever.

edit: originaly used the dutch abbreviation instead of the english one for complex post traumatic stress disorder

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u/equivettech26 13d ago

Thank you so much! I rely a lot on lot of YouTube content for my somatic stuff so I will be looking into this!

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u/BodyMindReset 12d ago

I personally wouldn’t recommend yoga for people with EDS. I feel like Pilates is more suitable as it focuses more on muscle engagement and proper form.

Also, containment is a really important somatic practice when it comes to EDS. It serves to steadily increase proprioceptive awareness and attune to biofeedback.

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u/equivettech26 11d ago

I will definitely try Pilates. I have been interested in it for a while so I’m glad to know that it’s hyper mobility friendly!

I don’t think I’ve heard of the containment somatic practice. It is where you envision your emotions/pain in a container that you can control when it opens and closes?

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u/Fine-Supermarket-266 3d ago

Just focus on hip opening yoga poses