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What is PTSD?

Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) affects about 7% of the general U.S. population and up to one third of combat veterans, victims of assault, rape and childhood abuse. Research suggests women may be more vulnerable than men and genetics may play a role in predisposing certain individuals to developing it. PTSD is often expressed in symptoms such as those listed to the right.  Any of these symptoms may or may not be experienced by a particular individual.

Traumatic events that trigger PTSD include sexual assault, military or war-related trauma, childhood abuse, auto accidents, natural disasters or simply witnessing a traumatic event.

Symptoms of PTSD may include:

  • Sleep Problems
  • Nightmares
  • Flashbacks
  • Anger and Irritability
  • Trouble Concentrating
  • Jumpiness
  • Feeling Tense and On Guard
  • Avoidance Of Reminders Of The Event
  • Trouble Experiencing Positive Feelings

What Causes PTSD?

PTSD arises when a traumatic event (or series of events) becomes lodged in our bodies and minds. Other people might experience the exact same event and move on. PTSD sufferers may find their lives increasingly organized around memories of the traumatic event. As this happens they begin to lose touch with the here and now, with the people and places around us, and with the full range of their emotional lives. Even their dreams may become part and parcel of this abbreviated landscape, re-exposing them night after night to an event that may have begun and ended decades before.

Is PTSD Treatable?

Good news! PTSD is not only treatable - it can be completely cured.  We've conducted outcome research1 on our Integrative Trauma Recovery protocol and found that it significantly reduces PTSD symptoms in all five symptom clusters. Though some participants had suffered for decades from the disorder, within an 8-week period they too experienced both symptom relief and the return of long-lost positive feelings like peace, joy and hope for the future.

For more information about the Integrative Trauma Recovery Program and how we treat PTSD visit our treatment approach page.

For more information about research studies on yoga for PTSD visit our resource page.

  1. Staples JK, Mintie D, Khalsa SBS, Evaluation of a combined yoga and cognitive behavioral therapy program for posttraumatic stress disorder. The Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine.  June 2016. 22(6): A94.

Note: this link takes you to the page of all conference abstracts. Find our study by searching one of our last names.