Transforming Ethnic and Race-Based Traumatic Stress with Yoga

Building on the foundations of Restorative Yoga for Ethnic and Race-Based Stress and Trauma by Gail Parker, this workbook offers a range of self-care practices that strengthen the psychological immune system, increase resilience, and support post-traumatic growth.

Ethnic and race-based traumatic stress is a worldwide phenomenon. Regardless of race and ethnicity we are all impacted by its damaging effects, from those who are wounded to those who do the wounding. We are witnessing health care disparities based on race and ethnicity that are causing great suffering, and also witnessing a global awakening to the pandemic of racial violence and its pernicious effects on all of us.

Transforming Ethnic and Race-Based Traumatic Stress with Yoga is a self-care study guide where each chapter includes a reading for contemplation on an area of ethnic and/or race related traumatic stress, an illustration of a Restorative Yoga pose with instructions on how to get into it and accompanied by positive affirmations to repeat while in the pose. This is followed by a therapeutic journal writing instruction with blank pages for journal entries to reinforce the affirmations and to identify the psychological, mental, emotional, and spiritual benefits of the posture presented.

“Transforming Ethnic and Race-Based Traumatic Stress with Yoga is filled with beautifully crafted stories that are deeply meaningful and delightful to read. Dr. Parker offers a treasure trove of tools, practices, and life lessons to enhance our yoga practice of Svadhyaya (self-study) to liberate and transform the mind from damaging narratives, both self-imposed and external, and guides us toward the healing power of truth.”

Transforming Ethnic and Race-Based Traumatic Stress with Yoga is filled with beautifully crafted stories that are deeply meaningful and delightful to read. Dr. Parker offers a treasure trove of tools, practices, and life lessons to enhance our yoga practice of Svadhyaya (self-study) to liberate and transform the mind from damaging narratives, both self-imposed and external, and guides us toward the healing power of truth. -- Jana Long, Executive Director of Black Yoga Teachers Alliance
In her latest book, Dr. Gail Parker skillfully weaves a roadmap inspiring radical self-care for reclaiming self-renewal, liberation, and inner peace from the strands of your life, unraveled by the indelible wounds of racial stress and trauma. Compassionately threading timeless Yogic wisdom, affirming-restorative practices, and written reflection equips your inner loom of mindful awareness to continuously unveil the magnificent tapestry of your true authentic nature, a masterpiece of embodied wholeness, clarity, and resilience. -- Jennifer B. Webb, Ph.D., clinical health psychologist, associate professor at UNC Charlotte, Yoga and wellness equity researcher, and Advisory Board Member, Give Back Yoga Foundation

Gail Parker's previous book was a timely guide to helping us understand and acknowledge race based stress and trauma. Transforming Ethnic and Race-Based Traumatic Stress with Yoga is the follow up we need to actually DO something about it.


Race is a delicate conversation, but Parker has the gift of nuance that allows us to understand one another more deeply. If you're willing to unlearn your racial and ethnic stereotypes, prejudices, and biases, read this book and prepare to be transformed.

-- Tamara Jeffries, Senior Editor, Yoga Journal
This timely reflection on yoga is a gift for the ages. Dr. Parker personifies the growth, healing, and transformation she advocates and leads the discussion of social change by example. At a time when discussions about race are as violent as action, this book exemplifies working through race in positive and progressive ways. -- Stephanie Y. Evans, Professor and Director, Institute for Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies, Georgia State University. Author, Black Women’s Yoga History: Memoirs of Inner Peace
TRANSFORMATIVE...HEALING...COLLECTIVE GROWTH. With her first book, Dr. Gail laid the foundation of understanding race-based traumatic stress, but with THIS sequel, she guides the reader on an expedition of therapeutic self-discovery. Whether you are the cause or recipient of race-based traumatic stress, this book with the relatable stories, affirmations, and accompanying yoga asanas is exactly what EVERYONE needs to press forward to radical healing in the form of true transformation. Thank you, Dr. Gail, for your commitment to true and lasting healing. -- Daheia J. Barr-Anderson, PhD, MSPH, Associate Professor of Kinesiology at University of Minnesota, yoga researcher focusing on African-American women, and 250-hour RYT

Gail Parker, Ph.D. CIAYT, E-RYT 500 is an author, psychologist, educator, and certified yoga therapist. She serves as President of the Black Yoga Teachers Board of Directors (BYTA). She is the author of Restorative Yoga for Ethnic and Race-Based Stress and Trauma.

Building on the foundations of Restorative Yoga for Ethnic and Race-Based Stress and Trauma by Gail Parker, this workbook offers a range of self-care practices that strengthen the psychological immune system, increase resilience, and support post-traumatic growth. Ethnic and race-based traumatic stress is a worldwide phenomenon. Regardless of race and ethnicity we are all impacted by its damaging effects, from those who are wounded to those who do the wounding. We are witnessing health care disparities based on race and ethnicity that are causing great suffering, and also witnessing a global awakening to the pandemic of racial violence and its pernicious effects on all of us. Transforming Ethnic and Race-Based Traumatic Stress with Yoga is a self-care study guide where each chapter includes a reading for contemplation on an area of ethnic and/or race related traumatic stress, an illustration of a Restorative Yoga pose with instructions on how to get into it and accompanied by positive affirmations to repeat while in the pose. This is followed by a therapeutic journal writing instruction with blank pages for journal entries to reinforce the affirmations and to identify the psychological, mental, emotional, and spiritual benefits of the posture presented.

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