Yoga as an Intervention for PTSD: a Theoretical Rationale and Review of the Literature

Opinion statement There is evidence to suggest that yoga may reduce PTSD symptoms. It is unclear at this point, however, whether or not yoga reduces PTSD symptoms any more than a non-specific intervention given inconsistent findings and methodological limitations. Nonetheless, additional research in this area is important because of the high level of interest in and acceptability of yoga. Ultimately, yoga may be most effective when taught using trauma-sensitive guidelines and within a framework that helps the practitioner to apply the experience to coping with symptoms.