Our body is such a informative tool! Learning and listening to this beautiful earth vehicle, called a body.
Often trauma pulls a person, out of, away from or in a different relationship to your body.
Depending on a person’s internal makeup trauma can register in the body from:
Sports injuries, car accidents, surgery, bullying, death, natural disaster, community violence, early childhood trauma, environmental trauma, cultural trauma. The obvious known trauma as well – emotional, verbal, physical and sexual abuse.
The other factors that are not always talked about, that tend to have an effect is understanding the nature:
Acute, repetitive, complex, developmental, vicarious, historical, and intergenerational trauma.
Trauma sets off a natural defense mechanism of protective responses of – Fight, Flight, freeze. It’s amazing, your body protected you during the trauma you went through! You didn’t even need to think about it… and sometimes after the traumatic experience is finally over, our body picks up cues in the environment that are a reminder of the trauma – and instinctually protect you!
This is where somatic therapy is such a gift. In a safe place one on one, you get to slow down these autonomic processes, and safely feel your body, in the present moment- with support, and deep conscious connection, with the wisdom of your body and all it has to share with you!
Here is one of my favorites before bed.
Compassionate Touch
*Place one hand on your heart
&
The other hand on your stomach
*Breathe
Send breaths to your beautiful body
*Notice
Any subtle shifts?
Take note of any subtle shifts in the body and the breath often something pleasurable appears.
*Repeat
Trauma can make mindfulness practices and embodiment practices difficult for some. This is a simple, practice that I find empowering and a safe way to connect with the body!
I have found empowerment in knowing, we might not be able to change the things around us…. but we can tend to our needs, in a loving, compassionate way. Letting the power of touch, breath and presence – give you a gift – that every BODY needs!!!!
