Yawn the Trauma Away

I found yawning to be the most prominent way my body naturally releases trauma and attribute that ability to my healing success. I found I would break out in yawning during healing sessions and at the beginning of ceremonies before the work even started.

Often associated with tiredness or boredom, yawning is a somatic response, meaning related to the body, not mind, and why it’s helpful with trauma. Somatic therapy is a treatment focusing on the body and how emotions appear within it, that posits that our body holds and expresses experiences and emotions. Beyond fulfilling its primary function of oxygenating the brain, according to the Cleveland Clinic’s website, yawning triggers a cascade of physiological and neurological responses:

Increased vagal tone: Yawning activates the parasympathetic nervous system, responsible for relaxation and calming, counteracting the heightened fight-or-flight response often associated with trauma.

Muscle stretching and release: The deep inhalation and exhalation stretch and relax diaphragm and intercostal muscles, potentially releasing physical tension held in response to trauma.

Brainwave entrainment: Studies suggest yawning synchronizes brain waves across individuals, creating a shared state of emotional resonance and catharsis.

Neurochemical regulation: Yawning reduces stress hormones like cortisol and increases the neuropeptide oxytocin, promoting feelings of calm and connection.

Here are steps to take to explore yawning as a tool for emotional and trauma release.

Cultivate awareness. Start by observing your yawns. Notice the triggers (fatigue, social interaction, stressful situations) and the accompanying sensations in your body and mind. This mindful awareness paves the way for deliberate yawning practices.

Initiate the yawn. When you feel emotionally charged or triggered, try to gently initiate a yawn. This can be done by watching someone yawn, visualizing a yawn, or gently stretching your mouth and taking a deep inhale.

Deepen the response. Once a yawn starts, encourage it to fully extend. Open your mouth wide, stretch your throat and lungs, and let out a slow, deep exhalation. Repeat this several times.

Embody and release. Focus on the bodily sensations during and after the yawn. Slight shaking is the sure sign trauma is being released. Notice any other tension unlocking from the body, emotional shifts, or changes in breathing. Allow yourself to fully experience the sensation of release.

Journal and reflect. After practicing yawning exercises, take some time to journal about your experience. Did you notice any emotional or physical shifts? How did your body feel before and after? This reflection deepens your understanding of your personal response to yawning.

The end goal being yawning as the way your body automatically releases trauma and duress.