The intimate connection between the mind and body cannot be overstated, and nurturing this relationship can lead to profound healing. The remarkable interplay between our mental and physical states is especially highlighted through yoga practices, with an emphasis on breath work and mindfulness, it’s been shown to soothe the nervous system, offering healing for those suffering with trauma.
In this episode of Hope Illuminated, I am honored to be joined by Dr. Jessa Navidé, as we delve into the profound intersection of trauma and healing through body-centered practices. Jessa shares her powerful personal journey, navigating through struggles with suicidal ideation and attempts, ultimately finding solace and transformation through trauma-sensitive yoga.
Trauma-sensitive yoga serves as a powerful tool in regulating the nervous system and reclaiming our sense of self. Jessa's odyssey began at age six, grappling with suicidal ideation, and her discovery of Ashtanga yoga became a transformative tool for profound healing. Through her experiences, she illuminates the power of body awareness, the gentle art of befriending the body, and the empowerment gained in the journey toward wholeness.
As both a mental health provider and someone who has walked through the shadows of suicidal intensity, Jessa underscores the importance of incorporating lived experiences and trauma-sensitive approaches in therapeutic settings. Together, we explore the scientific underpinnings of trauma-sensitive yoga and its remarkable efficacy in facilitating healing for trauma survivors.
Too often, the trauma stemming from suicide attempts is shrouded in stigma and overlooked. However, by embracing body-centered methodologies, we unearth a path to healing and empowerment. Join us as we shed light on the transformative potential of trauma-sensitive practices, and pave the way toward a future filled with healing and resilience.
More about Dr. Jessa Navidé
Dr. Jessa Navidé is a bilingual (Spanish/English) clinical psychologist with lived experience as a suicide attempt survivor based in New York City. In her early 20s she discovered the practice of Ashtanga yoga, and it played a pivotal role in her healing journey after experiencing chronic suicidal ideation. Her love for Ashtanga yoga inspired her recent 5-month trip to Nepal and India to study yoga and meditation practices. In conjunction with her clinical work, Jessa is a trauma-sensitive yoga teacher, and believes this practice is a powerful resource for both suicide attempt survivors and individuals living with suicidal thoughts.
Connecting with Jessa
Email: Jessa.Navide@Gmail.com
Show Notes
Hielscher, E., & Zopf, R. (2021). Interoceptive abnormalities and suicidality: A systematic review. Behavior Therapy, 52(5), 1035–1054. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.beth.2021.02.012
Nguyen-Feng, V. N., Morrissette, J., Lewis-Dmello, A., Michel, H., Anders, D., Wagner, C., &
Clark, C. J. (2019). Trauma-sensitive yoga as an adjunctive mental health treatment for
survivors of intimate partner violence: A qualitative examination. Spirituality in Clinical
Practice, 6(1), 27–43. https://doi.org/10.1037/scp0000177
Nicotera, N., Connolly, M. M., Jawdat, L., & Ostrow, L. (2022). A qualitative study examining
the lived experiences of stress among female sexual assault survivors in an 8-
week trauma-sensitive yoga intervention. Traumatology. Advance online
publication. https://doi.org/10.1037/trm0000411
Rogers, M. L., Hagan, C. R., & Joiner, T. E. (2018). Examination of interoception along the
suicidality continuum. Journal of Clinical Psychology, 74(6), 1004–
1016. https://doi.org/10.1002/jclp.22564
Van Orden, K. A., Witte, T. K., Cukrowicz, K. C., Braithwaite, S. R., Selby, E. A., & Joiner, T.
E., Jr. (2010). The interpersonal theory of suicide. Psychological Review, 117(2), 575–
600. https://doi.org/10.1037/a0018697
West, J., Liang, B., & Spinazzola, J. (2017). Trauma sensitive yoga as a complementary
treatment for posttraumatic stress disorder: A qualitative descriptive
analysis. International Journal of Stress Management, 24(2), 173–
195. https://doi.org/10.1037/str0000040
Zaccari, B., Callahan, M. L., Storzbach, D., McFarlane, N., Hudson, R., & Loftis, J. M.
(2020). Yoga for veterans with PTSD: Cognitive functioning, mental health, and salivary
cortisol. Psychological Trauma: Theory, Research, Practice, and Policy, 12(8), 913–
917. https://doi.org/10.1037/tra0000909
Books
• The Essential Guide to Trauma-Sensitive Yoga: How to Create Safer Spaces for All by Lara Land
• Trauma-informed yoga for survivors of sexual assault by Zahabiyah A. Yamasaki Podcasts
• Beyond Trauma by Lara Land