A monkey and a fish were caught in a terrible flood and were being swept downstream amidst torrents of water and debris. The monkey spied a branch from an overhanging tree and pulled himself to safety from the swirling water. Then, wanting to help his friend the fish, he reached into the water and pulled the fish from the water to the branch. The moral of the story is clear: Good intentions are not enough. If you wish to help the fish, you must understand its nature. (Marsella & Christopher, 2004, p. 521)
Ancient Chinese Fable
Social Work's Responsibilities
This quote exemplifies the important role social workers need to contribute to international relief situations. The findings, analysis, potential and limitations to the outcomes expressed within the yoga practice method reviewed, offers an example of a method that is capable of meeting ‘the fish where he’s at’! It is necessary to have an understanding of the dynamics at play within a humanitarian relief effort, such as – history of the people and place prior to the disaster/war, who are people (cultural, ethnicity, religion, values, worldview etc), what are the needs, what local resources are presently available etc. All this information supports meeting the traumatized population where they at, learning from and with them about the most suitable practice method to apply to ensure social welfare can be maximized.
Emphasizing an evidence-based practice to ensure there is research to support the selected intervention is a top priority. I believe yoga as a practice method for traumatized populations is a controversial approach, and will remain controversial until enough rigorous research-based evidence is provided with positive outcomes – such is the experience of any new approach being applied in cross cultural contexts! I consider the potential to enhance the social welfare for a large number of people with a low level of invasiveness and a collective mentality within the practice method, out weighs the limitations. The most glaring risk within this practice method is the cultural appropriateness consideration and there is not enough evidence proving the approach is cross-culturally ineffective.
As a social worker, I see it as my responsibility to support the application of innovative frameworks and evidence-based practice methods while maintaining a critical approach. With the interdependent cycle between social welfare and social development and the role they both play in the quality of one’s livelihood, I must remain accountable to ensuring measures are sustained that support positive outcomes for as many people possible.