Sexual abuse can have a lasting impact on the life of survivors. Many survivors struggle with flashbacks, anxiety, depression, drug and alcohol abuse, difficulty trusting and body-related issues among other things. Counseling can be incredibly beneficial in healing from sexual abuse but for many survivors there are areas that talking alone cannot reach. Pioneering research on the benefits of yoga for trauma survivors is being done across the country in places like Boston and in California and the results are promising.
The Bottle Works Ethnic Arts Center, Victim Services, and Chan Soon-Shiong Medical Center at Windber are bringing this innovative concept into reality in Johnstown. The Integrative Healing Group will use elements of a traditional support group in combination with a yoga class and expression through art and music. The group will be facilitated by Erika Jugan, Supervisor of Direct Services at Victim Services and Rachel Allen, Certified Music Practitioner and Registered Yoga Teacher from Windber Medical Center.
According to Jugan, “Sexual abuse affects survivors on so many levels. Not only does it affect how we relate to the outside world but it also has a profound impact on how we relate to our own bodies. Our bodies become unsafe and we disconnect. Yoga teaches us a safe way to reconnect to our bodies and opens up a level of self compassion that goes beyond what counseling alone can do. When you add in the additional components of expression through art and music you reach even deeper into those areas of transformation.”
Allen adds “Yoga is a comprehensive system of integrating physical and emotional components for optimal health and happiness. Yoga addresses fears and aversions, the primary roots of suffering. Practitioners learn to diminish hostility, terror, aversion, etc. and gain tools to establish feelings of well-being and calmness. Yoga can address the physical, emotional, and spiritual needs of an individual and provide the framework for the practitioner to address these with equal measures of patience, compassion and gentleness in a safe environment conducive to healing.”
The group will also include elements of expression through visual arts and music. According to Rosemary Pawlowski, Executive Director of The Bottle Works Ethnic Arts Center, “Art is a universal language. The Bottle Works is always looking for ways to reach out into the community and connect with people who we may not come into contact with at the center. Funding through Lee Initiatives and the Community Foundation afforded us the opportunity to bring in Victim Services and Windber Medical Center to create this group and connect with survivors of sexual abuse.”
In January, the Bottle Works Ethnic Arts Center will host an exhibit of the artwork created by the survivors during this 10 week program. For Sexual Assault Awareness Month in April, the exhibit will be available to travel to other venues. If your organization is interested in hosting the exhibit please contact Pawlowski at 814-536-5399.
When: Fridays beginning September 20, 2013 from 9 – 11:30 am
Where: The Bottle Works Ethnic Arts Center
411 Third Avenue
Johnstown, PA 15906
The Integrative Healing Group is a free program for female adult survivors of sexual abuse and no experience in yoga, art, or music is necessary. If you’re interested in joining the Integrative Healing Group, please contact Erika at Victim Services at 814-288-4961. An intake appointment is required prior to the beginning of group.