I’m Asian, we don’t do Therapy.
One thing I have noticed time and again, whenever I talk about Trauma-Informed Yoga to South Asians (or the BIPOC community to be honest), I always get some version of these responses.
I’m Asian, we don’t do therapy.
We care what others in the community think about us.
Our parents have struggled so much more than me, I shouldn’t have anything to be upset about.
I just need to be more positive.
I don’t have money to waste, I just need to be strong.
If you or your loved ones feel this way about any kind of therapy, I humbly offer you these suggestions:
Mental health is just as valid as physical health. Just as you would seek a professional to help u with a physical injury, why not for something that’s affecting you mentally?
Having negative feelings is not the same as having depression/anxiety. These are conditions that need specific techniques (&/or medication) to manage and can’t be overcome with sheer willpower or denial, unfortunately.
Guilt can make everything worse. Guilt is a super complex feeling for many communities which we often subconsciously pass down through generations and this can really mess with our mental health. It can lead to feelings of hopelessness and prevent us from seeking the care we need.
Our definition of strength oftentimes is related to how much we can put up with. The biggest one I’ve seen in my life is how sacrificing and putting my needs last ‘makes me a better wife and mum.’ Really, it should be the opposite! Taking care of me, making sure my cup is full in fact makes me a better partner & parent.
From a Yogic lens, why is something that heals our nervous system bad when we consider the body, mind and spirit to be intrinsically linked? If we can comfortably heal our bodily aches & pains through Yoga, then why not extend that to the mind? Isn’t that what Yoga is all about?
Trauma-Informed Yoga, like all therapy, requires you to take a risk and trust another person to hold a safe place for you. This is my biggest goal when working with clients and I hope to be able to hold that space for you, should you need it.