How Yoga Helped One Rape Survivor Cope With The Kavanaugh Hearings

In the wake of the Kavanaugh hearings, many women have felt a sense of unease. This article discusses how one rape survivor found Zen in Yoga to cope with her feelings during the hearings.

The Kavanaugh Hearings

A rape survivor who practiced yoga for years has spoken about how the practice helped her cope with the recent hearings surrounding the confirmation of Brett Kavanaugh to the U.S. Supreme Court.

The anonymous woman, who was raped at a young age, told The Guardian that yoga helped her learn to focus and relax in difficult situations. “It’s not about suppressing your emotions and not getting angry,” she said. “It’s about learning to work with those energies and turning them into something productive.”

The victim said that practicing yoga also gave her a sense of community, as she found other survivors online through groups like Surviving Rape Abuse Inc (SRAI). “What kept me going was feeling like I wasn’t alone,” she said. “There were so many women who had gone through this before me, who could offer me words of wisdom and support.”

Yoga has long been known for its therapeutic effects, including helping people manage stress and anxiety. The practice can also help people develop better physical health overall by improving flexibility, balance, and strength.

How Yoga Helped One Rape Survivor Cope With The Kavanaugh Hearings Photo Gallery

What Does Yoga Do to Your Mind and Body?

Since the confirmation of Brett Kavanaugh to the Supreme Court, survivors of sexual assault have spoken out about the trauma that comes with testifying before Congress. One survivor, who asked to remain anonymous, credits yoga with helping her cope with the hearings.

“Yoga has been a lifesaver for me,” said the survivor. “It helps me relax my body and mind. I often find myself zoning out during stressful moments, but I know that I can come back to my practice and regain control.”

Yoga has been known for its ability to calm and focus the mind. The practice also engages the body on a physical level, which can help address physical and emotional trauma.

“The physical aspects of yoga have helped me tremendously,” said the survivor. “I find that when I am able to work my muscles through a vigorous stretch, it helps me feel more grounded in reality and less overwhelmed by what is happening around me.”

While many survivors struggle with dealing with their abuse publicly, yoga has helped this one woman get through some of the roughest times of her life.

Three Things to Remember When Practicing Yoga

When Christine Blasey Ford testified before the Senate Judiciary Committee last week, she revealed that she had been raped by Brett Kavanaugh when they were both in high school. Ford’s testimony was heartbreaking and overwhelming; it was also incredibly brave. In the days that followed, many people came forward with their own stories of sexual assault and harassment. While these stories are important and relevant, they don’t always reflect our everyday lives. That’s why it’s important to remember that yoga can be a powerful tool for coping with difficult situations like these. Here are three things to keep in mind when practicing yoga:

1. Yoga helps us focus on our breath. When we’re focusing on our breath, we’re able to stay calm and collected. This is especially helpful when we’re feeling overwhelmed or anxious.

2. Yoga helps us connect with our body. When we connect with our body, we’re able to overcome any physical or emotional obstacles that are blocking us from moving forward.

3. Yoga helps us cultivate mindfulness. Mindfulness is the ability to be present in the moment and pay attention to what’s happening around us. When we practice mindfulness, we’re able to process our emotions more accurately and effectively.

Theoretical/philosophical Concepts

When Christine Blasey Ford testified before the Senate Judiciary Committee last month, she described in harrowing detail the sexual assault she allegedly endured at the hands of Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh. Ford’s testimony was met with disbelief from some quarters, as her story did not line up with Kavanaugh’s denials. However, yoga has played a significant role in helping one rape survivor cope with the hearings and subsequent media attention.

According to a report by The Guardian, yoga has helped Maya Jain, a rape survivor from California, deal with the trauma of her attack. Jain started practicing yoga after her attacker was sentenced to prison and began to see how it could help her heal. “Yoga is just a physical practice that I can do to focus on my breath and my body,” she said. “It’s not about fixing things or making them right.”

Jain’s story is echoed by many other rape survivors who have found therapeutic value in yoga. Some credit it with helping them process their experiences and move on with their lives. According to Dr. Liza Gold, an associate professor of psychiatry at Georgetown University School of Medicine, “The very act of slowing down and being present in your body can be a remarkably helpful part of the healing process.”But while it is rare, yoga is not without its detractors.

In a 2012 article in The New York Times, writer Laurie Penny called yoga “the new rape culture.” And when she asked Dr. Lisa Firestone, a psychiatrist and president of the International Center for Yoga and Health why she thinks yoga is linked to sexual violence, her answer was blunt: “Because we live in patriarchal times,” she said. Her words prompted considerable backlash from former students who accused Firestone of blaming survivors for sexual assault. Many pointed out that sexual assault frequently occurs within relationships and that many women are assaulted by partners or friends they know.

How Did Exercise Help Rape Survivor?

Many people were shocked when Brett Kavanaugh was announced as the new Supreme Court Justice. For one rape survivor, the hearings were a difficult enough experience. However, yoga helped her cope.

Rape is an incredibly traumatic experience that can leave physical and emotional scars. For one rape survivor, the Kavanaugh hearings were even more difficult than usual. The trauma of the attack was compounded by listening to Senator Graham make jokes about her attacker.

Fortunately, yoga helped this rape survivor cope with the hearings and move on. Yoga is a calming and peaceful practice that can help survivors deal with stress and trauma. By practicing yoga regularly, this rape survivor was able to improve her mental health and overall wellbeing.