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Become Empowered by Love

Writer's picture: Heather HagamanHeather Hagaman

As you many of you know, I am a trauma informed yoga therapist. I also hold the position of Director of Trauma and Recovery programs at Beloved Yoga studio in Reston, Virginia. My work often feels like I am in an "emotional" emergency room with my clients. I often have to do immediate triage to help people find safety in the moment.


My focus with clients and yoga students is to help people to learn that they have more agency over their bodies when it comes to daily emotional challenges. We can learn yogic tools of calming and regulation to strengthen resiliency in our nervous systems and create new neural pathways in the brain. We can build an inner sanctuary of positivity and safe space within ourselves especially in dealing with todays' news events that are bombarding many of us with shock traumas. We can remember that this positive thinking lowers blood pressure, and protects our immune system from the inflammatory damage of stress.


I share this with your because I have had to really look with great discernment at what I am digesting and how it is landing in my body. Digestion isn't just contained to our stomachs but to our eyes and our ears. I have had to do an inventory of what is helpful to my health and to my well-being.


Spending two hours first thing in the morning and scrolling through the news is not nourishing. Because I am what I call a "traumatologist," all I am seeing in the media is the suffering of human beings nervous systems. I know that the body will "keep score." For many people, their nervous systems will become hardwired into chronic defense physiology. Children are especially vulnerable and without body based interventions will experience ongoing anxiety, depression throughout their lifetime. This awareness hurts me the most!!


Psychologists now have a label for people who are affected by the traumas of others. It is known as Secondary Stress Disorder. It is a natural but disruptive by-product of working with traumatized clients. I am feeling vulnerable to developing this type of stress if I continue to watch and read hours of news. The symptoms of secondary stress disorder are feelings of isolation, anxiety, dissociation, physical ailments, and sleep disturbances. Additionally, I noticing that I am filled with a sense of confusion and helplessness.


Yoga helps me remember to do the self study when it comes to self care. What can I do today to minimize my stress responses? What actions can I take to move away from the biggest frustration is this constant feeling of being helpless. It is clear that I must curtail my news watching and look for awe moments first thing in the morning. I can step outside and breathe in the fresh air. I can look at the expansion of the sky and remember that there is something greater, something I call Divine Love that can give me grace if just for a moment. I can do yoga and ground myself in the "now." I reach out to the people in my life and tell them I love them and encourage them to "just be Love" today to all the people and situations they come across. Kindness matters and I can walk around with a soft face and an inner smile. We are not alone and we can do this together.


I just got a reminder from a doctor's office for an upcoming appointment. I answered the phone thinking it was a computer reminder but it was a human being. I beamed Love and a "good morning" and "how are you" to her. I said "I hope you have a peace filled day." She was surprised and then thanked me with a laugh.


Let us see each other! Let us hear each other!



Let us practice positivity when the negative thoughts flow together!


Yoga sutra 2.33 says when you become aware of a negative thought, we should immediately cultivate thoughts of the opposite, replacing the negative pattern with a positive one. This is not easy to do but with a little help from each other, we do not deplete our Love power but become more empowered by Love together.... one breath at a time. Thank you for taking the time to read this. Namaha...namaste.



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Based in Reston, Virginia

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