Saeed sees yoga as an indigenous healing method rooted in South Asian heritage. “It’s our ancestors who developed these practices and these body-based practices are in our DNA too,” she explains, urging us to reconnect with these traditions passed down through generations. In a world dictated by the West which dismisses the impact of such healing methods, reclaiming yoga—and other cultural practices like Ayurveda—can be a powerful form of resistance and recuperation.
When to opt for therapy as a solution
If someone has never been attuned to their body, Saeed might start with Cognitive Behavioral Therapy to help them name their feelings and understand their emotional patterns. “But eventually, we move toward body-based work: somatic work, parts work or Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing (EMDR),” she explains. These methods help individuals reconnect with their bodies, release pent-up emotions and find a sense of safety in their own skin.
Somatic work focuses on helping individuals become more aware of physical sensations in their bodies and connecting those sensations to emotional states. “It helps us track feelings in the body and understand what they’re trying to tell us,” Saeed says, noting that trauma survivors often disconnect from their bodies.
Parts work, in turn, draws from Internal Family Systems (IFS) therapy and involves identifying different aspects of the self, such as wounded or protective parts, that can be healing or holding onto trauma. “It helps guide the client to connect with their ‘self,’ the calm, wise and confident part of themselves, rather than letting their trauma-driven parts take charge,” the social worker explains.
Finally, EMDR helps individuals process trauma by using rapid eye movements (or tapping) to reconnect fragmented memories and reshape negative beliefs. “It goes into our physiological systems and reprocesses memory patterns,” she says, adding that this method integrates both mind and body, which leads to more lasting change.
But it’s not just about formal therapy. Saeed recommends simple, accessible practices for anyone seeking to heal. “Start with joyful movement,” she suggests. Whether it’s dancing, yoga or a walk in nature, engaging in physical activities that bring joy can be incredibly grounding and restorative. “Don’t do movements you don’t enjoy,” she advises. “If running isn’t your thing, don’t force yourself to run. Do what feels good.”