Restorative Yoga for Ethnic and Race-Based Stress and Trauma

by Gail Parker, Justine Ross (Illustrator), Octavia F. Raheem (Foreword)

Presenting ways in which Restorative Yoga can contribute to healing emotional wounds, this book invites yoga teachers, therapists and practitioners to consider the psychological impact of ethnic and race-based stress and trauma. It aids in the process of uncovering, examining, and healing one's own emotional wounds and offers insight into avoiding wounding or re-wounding others. The book describes how race-based traumatic stress differs from PTSD and why a more targeted approach to treatment is necessary, as well as what can trigger it. It also considers the implications of an increasingly racially and ethnically diverse and global yoga community, as well as the importance of creating conscious yoga communities of support and connection, where issues of race and ethnicity are discussed openly, non-defensively and constructively. By providing a therapeutic structure that assists those directly and indirectly impacted by ethnic and race-based stress and trauma, Restorative Yoga for Ethnic and Race-Based Stress and Trauma provides valuable tools for aiding in the processing of stressful experiences and in trauma recovery.

Genres: Nonfiction, Social Justice, Psychology, Spirituality, Race, Justice

224 pages, Paperback

Published August 21, 2020

Reviews

[Gina · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dr. Gail does a great job explaining race-based trauma and how to release it from the body through Restorative Yoga. She is thoughtful and provide introspective questions at the end of each chapter for individuals to do that inner work.

I highly recommend this book to yoga teachers, the BIPOC community and those who want to learn how to help their studies or themselves.

[Brooke Scott · Rating 4 out of 5]

First book of the year! At times this was very technical, but a really refreshing look at racial trauma, how yoga practice can support us, and how change starts from the inside out.

[Naomi · Rating 4 out of 5]

These practices are to ground, nourish, and restore in the face of pervasive, daily violence that threatens brown and black bodies. Dr. Parker applies her own yoga practices and her years as a therapist to the material. It *is* very individually focused, and I hope for a second volume that engages collective healing and restoration as well. Thankful for the practices, and the chance to study and learn.

[Cynthia · Rating 5 out of 5]

There are some things that I obviously still need to work on to get to the spiritual activism she discusses, but this was filled with tons of sage advice for those of us who are do DEIJ work that I am confident I will refer to it often.

[Nicole · Rating 5 out of 5]

A must read for all yogis or anyone interested beginning a yoga practice thy is centralized around healing and self-reflection.

[Abigail · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read this as a book club book with yoga colleagues. Dr. Gail Parker provided us with a text that allowed for vibrant discussion. For this, I am grateful.

The reason I gave it 3 stars instead of 4 or 5 is although this book examines the effects of racism on folks lives and in U.S. yoga studios… Dr. Parker’s lens is rather narrow. Many times I was struck by some of the language in the book that perpetuated ableism, gender norms, and a colonial point of view. I’m not sure if this is Dr. Parker or her editors…

On a positive note, as a Black woman, I most benefitted from her description and discussion around high effort coping. This has provided me deep introspection that is on-going and has helped me work through my own racial wounding. 🙏🏽

Last, if you are on an anti-racism journey, I find this book to be pretty 101… so grab some more books and keep going!

I’m excited to see how Dr. Parker’s work continues to evolve, and as yoga teacher, I would be excited to meet and take a training or workshop from her.

[Tracy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book does a good job of describing the ongoing sometimes mini and sometimes catastrophic traumas that are experienced by brown people and does a good job of describing how restorative yoga and meditation can help to mitigate some of the reactivity surrounding those traumas. The author also does a good job of unpacking some the yogic philosophies and texts and applying them to being less reactive to those traumas. Where the premise falls short is that as the book progresses the primary topic is addressed less and less so that it could be speaking of any trauma. The book also would benefit from more instructive images. I don’t think those chosen will assist anyone new to the practice to achieve comfort in this practice.

[Kendra · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was an excellent book that explored the many healing properties of yoga. The concepts, though heavy, were presented in an accessible way. Yoga naturally invites the practitioner to reflect and honor themselves and others in authentic ways. Dr. Parker shares the ways that a yoga practice can support rather than harm individuals of all backgrounds. Even without realizing it, the space that an instructor holds for their students may not feel safe to all in the room. Being aware of cultural norms and aknowledging differences allows us to learn how to build positive experiences in yoga spaces.

[Deandra · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a decent book. There are lessons I took from it that I will use in my yoga practice and also self awareness practice. However I wanted so much more. I didn't want it to be about being the bigger person when someone is racist and that was the overall general theme.

[Kirsten · Rating 5 out of 5]

A must-read for yoga teachers, whether you teach Restorative or not.

[Donna Castelblanco · Rating 5 out of 5]

A must read for all yogis and yoga teachers.

[Kyra Atterbury · Rating 5 out of 5]

A wonderful book about the healing power of yoga.

[Erin LaMonica · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this book and I’m so happy to have it as a reference !!!!!

[Beth · Rating 5 out of 5]

Like the author, I'm both a clinical psychologist and a yoga teacher, and I've been wanting to read this book for some time. The title is a little misleading, as much of the book is aimed towards a better understanding of race-based trauma. In fact, of the 8 chapters, only the last one directly offered guidance on practicing restorative yoga. This was fine with me, as I'm certified in restorative yoga but was more interested in the racial information which Dr. Parker provided. An important book about how yoga is a healing practice.