Trauma & the Body
Trauma can be defined as anything that is too much, too soon, too fast, too slow, or not enough that overwhelms our capacity to cope. It can affect our ability to experience safety, trust, connection, and emotional stability.
TYPES OF TRAUMA include:
Acute, Chronic, Complex, Historical, Intergenerational, Vicarious, and Race/Oppression-Based
Trauma and stress symptoms can manifest themselves physically, behaviorally, interpersonally, and emotionally. Trauma (or overwhelm) held in the body can show up as chronic pain or tension, jumpiness, headaches, upset stomach, etc. Some may attempt to ignore or push away these types of physical experiences which can cause them to grow and interfere with daily functioning or quality of life over time.
It is important to begin to notice the impact of trauma and stress in the body by developing awareness of the body and learning how to track physical sensations. Physical sensations can be described using words such as tight, empty, tired, queasy, clammy, hot, achy, shaky, cold, frozen, clenched, heavy, etc. Once we begin to recognize these experiences, we can make space for tending to and processing them. Somatic (body-based) therapy is one outlet for processing trauma and its somatic impact.
Somatic Therapy
Somatic therapy is a bottom up approach that faciliates communication from the body to the brain. In addressing change on a somatic level, there can be shifts in habitual patterns of thought, behavior, and reactivity as relates to stress and activation. The actual term somatics comes from the Greek word ‘soma’ which signifies the living body and is an umbrella term coined by Thomas Hanna, PhD in 1970. The origin of somatic practices trace back to ancient Indigenous peoples in a variety of locations.
Somatic therapy differs from talk therapy in that talk therapy focuses on discussing thoughts, feelings, behaviors, and verbal narratives while somatic therapy explores verbal and nonverbal narratives including gestures, facial expression, posture, body movements, body sensations, and images, feelings, and thoughts present in relation to bodily experiences.
During a somatic therapy session, there can be space to stay with a sensation such as a clenched chest or sinking sensation in the belly and invite in curiosity, presence, understanding, and support. One can begin to recognize certain patterns such as whenever I talk about a specific person or event, my throat tightens or my heart races and can begin to gather a menu of options for tending to that experience such as placing a hand on the heart, humming, sighing, etc. WIth time, new supportive patterns in the body can be created such as increased flow of breath when there was previously chronic constriction in the chest or clenching of the belly. By integrating awareness, processing, and resourcing, the nervous system and body can begin to find balance.
Trauma Healing
It can take time to heal from trauma. We can heal and then notice new areas for healing that arise. Trauma can shift from passive to active and active to passive as well. We can perhaps consider healing as something ongoing in life as opposed to an end destination.
It is important to note that the use of the word healing does not indicate that there is anything wrong with us. We can define healing in whatever way resonates for us. I like to think of healing as an essential aspect of life, a way of checking in on what needs care or replenishment within us and around us, and the ability to connect with a quality of flow and ease where available for that care to be offered and received.
I find it highly encouraging that the process of healing benefits not only us but everyone we come into contact with and everyone in our lineage. Ease, resilience, compassion, and any number of other experiences that arise from a resourced nervous system can have the quality of a body of water that ripples out, positively benefiting and embracing others.
Embodied/Trauma Resources
And lastly, I compiled body-centered, movement, and trauma resources to be of support. I included body acceptance resources as many of us have a challenging dynamic with our bodies for a variety of reasons. I have found that developing a friendly or even loving relationship with the body is often a prerequisite to be able to offer and receive care for it.
This list is by no means complete and I am happy to add suggested resources to the list if you would like to share them with me. I am sending you all the care in the world on this healing journey which some call life.
With appreciation,
Lissa
| EMBODIED/TRAUMA RESOURCES | shared by Lissa | share resources to add to list |
| NAME | DESCRIPTION | WEBSITE |
| TRAUMA-RELATED | ||
| Indigenous Focusing-Oriented Therapy* | Body-centered, Person-centered Indigenous trauma therapy | https://focusinginternational.org/about/aboriginal-focusing-oriented-therapy-initiative/ |
| Indigenous Tools for Living | 6-8 week workshop series integrating Indigenous tools that can aid with complex trauma and burnout | https://lk-wellness.com/indigenous-tools-for-living/ |
| Book by Natalie Y. Gutierrez | The Pain We Carry: Healing from Complex PTSD for People of Color | https://bookshop.org/p/books/the-pain-we-carry-healing-from-complex-ptsd-for-people-of-color-natalie-y-gutierrez/18058034?ean=9781684039319 |
| Book by Resmaa Menakem & Offerings* | My Grandmother’s Hands: Racialized Trauma and the Pathway to Mending Our Hearts and Bodies | https://www.resmaa.com/ |
| Book by Dr. Gail Parker | Restorative Yoga for Ethnic and Race-Based Stress and Trauma & Transforming Ethnic and Race-Based Traumatic Stress With Yoga | https://www.drgailparker.com/book |
| Book by Renee Linklater & Lewis Mehl-Madrona | Decolonizing Trauma Work: Indigenous Stories and Strategies | https://fernwoodpublishing.ca/book/decolonizing-trauma-work |
| Book by Laura van Dernoot Lipsky | Trauma Stewardship: An Everyday Guide to Caring for Self While Caring for Others | https://bookshop.org/p/books/trauma-stewardship-an-everyday-guide-to-caring-for-self-while-caring-for-others-laura-van-dernoot-lipsky/6893606?ean=9781576759448 |
| Book: Body Keeps the Score by Bessel Van Der Kolk, MD | Body-centered trauma book which some find very helpful and some find activating | https://www.dropbox.com/s/rbsyjko3p6lfk7k/The%20body%20Keeps%20the%20Score%20by%20B.%20van%20der%20Kolk%20%28z-lib.org%29.pdf?dl=0 |
| Book: It Didn’t Start With You by Mark Wolynn | Inherited family trauma book | https://markwolynn.com/it-didnt-start-with-you/ |
| Book: Waking the Tiger: Healing Trauma by Peter Levine | Explores the question “why are animals in the wild, though threatened routinely, rarely traumatized?” | https://bookshop.org/p/books/waking-the-tiger-healing-trauma-the-innate-capacity-to-transform-overwhelming-experiences-peter-a-levine/8303096 |
| Somatic Experiencing* | Somatic trauma healing approach | https://traumahealing.org |
| Sensorimotor Psychotherapy* | Somatic trauma therapy approach | https://sensorimotorpsychotherapy.org |
| EMDR* | Somatic trauma therapy approach | https://www.emdria.org/about-emdr-therapy/ |
| Hakomi | Somatic trauma therapy approach | https://hakomiinstitute.com/about/what-is-hakomi/ |
| Trauma-informed Stabilization Treatment* | Complex trauma and parts work somatic therapy approach | https://janinafisher.com/workshops/ |
| MOVEMENT/SOMATICS | ||
| Linda Thai* | Somatic/Trauma Therapist & Facilitator | https://www.linda-thai.com/programs |
| Kenyatta | Somatic Practitioner; Plum Village Monastic for 8 years | https://www.wellnessnow.life |
| Prentis Hemphill & Embodiment Institute* | Therapist & Somatics Teacher; Training Organization; Book What it takes to heal | https://prentishemphill.com, https://www.theembodimentinstitute.org/ |
| Master Heg Robinson | Tai Chi & Qigong Master in Roxbury MA | https://www.roxburytaichiacademy.org |
| Sally Chang | Qigong Teacher & Acupuncturist | https://www.evergreentaiji.com/sally-chang |
| Liping Zhu | Qigong Master & Acupuncturist | https://qidragon.com |
| Teja Bell | Qigong & Dharma Teacher | https://www.tejabell.com |
| Marisa Cranfill* | Qigong & Yoga Teacher | https://videos.yoqi.com |
| Susanna Barkataki* | Yoga Teacher & Advocate | https://www.susannabarkataki.com |
| Bo Forbes* | Yoga Teacher & Psychologist | https://boforbes.com |
| Ariele Foster* | Yoga Teacher & Physical Therapist | https://my.yogaanatomyacademy.com/courses |
| Threes Physiyoga* | Yoga Teachers & Physical Therapists; classes & training | https://www.threesphysiyoga.com |
| Accessible Yoga School* | Accessible Yoga Organization | https://www.accessibleyogaschool.com |
| Kele Baker* | Qigong & Tai Chi Teacher | https://www.kelebaker.com |
| Generative Somatics & Practitioner Directory | Somatic transformation and social justice organization | https://generativesomatics.org,https://generativesomatics.org/resources/find-practitioner/ |
| InterPlay* | Creative movement and activities intended to unlock body wisdom | https://www.interplay.org |
| Book edited by Christine Caldwell and Lucia Bennett Leighton | Oppression and the Body: Roots, Resistance, and Resolutions | https://bookshop.org/p/books/oppression-and-the-body-roots-resistance-and-resolutions-christine-caldwell/9561649?ean=9781623172015 |
| Nityda Gessel | Trauma Conscious Yoga Method Certification | https://traumaconsciousyoga.com/tcymethod/ |
| Sundara Yoga Therapy | Trauma Informed Yoga Therapy | https://www.sundarayogatherapy.com/trauma-informed-yoga-therapy-trainings? |
| Zabie Yamasaki* | Trauma Informed Yoga Certification & Yoga as Healing Course for Survivors | http://www.zabieyamasaki.com/online-training |
| BODY ACCEPTANCE | ||
| Association for Size Diversity and Health* | Organization committed to health at every size principles | https://asdah.org/media/ |
| Jessamyn Stanley | Yoga Teacher & Author of Every Body Yoga & Yoke: My Yoga of Self-Acceptance | https://jessamynstanley.com/books/ |
| Book by Sonya Renee Taylor | The Body is Not an Apology: The Power of Radical Self Love | https://thebodyisnotanapology.com |
| Book by Stephanie Yeboah | Fattily Ever After: A Black Fat Girl’s Guide to Living Life Unapologetically | https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/50693537-fattily-ever-after |
| Book by Roxane Gay | Hunger: A Memoir of (My) Body | https://bookshop.org/p/books/hunger-a-memoir-of-my-body-roxane-gay/6435076 |
| Book by Dalia Kinsey | Decolonizing Wellness: A QTBIPOC-Centered Guide to Escape the Diet Trap, Heal Your Self-Image, and Achieve Body Liberation | https://bookshop.org/p/books/decolonizing-wellness-a-qtbipoc-centered-guide-to-escape-the-diet-trap-heal-your-self-image-and-achieve-body-liberation-dalia-kinsey/17329275?ean=9781637740309 |
| Book by Audre Lorde | The Cancer Journals | https://bookshop.org/p/books/the-cancer-journals-audre-lorde/14382160 |
| Linds with Fat Body Pilates | Size Inclusive Pilates Workshops | https://www.fatbodypilates.com/workshops |
*Asterisks indicate people or organizations Lissa has studied/trained with
Embodied Heart Mind 