The Transformative Power of Somatic Experiencing
Trauma is the result of an event(s) that overwhelms our system’s capacity to process or cope with what has happened. That overwhelm of energy can become stuck and stored in our bodies, resulting in our self-protective parts working to keep us safe from what they perceive is still happening. We can’t simply ‘think’ our way out of a stress or trauma response- trauma is not a story, it’s an experience. Our nervous system keeps inventory of our life encounters and responds based on what you’ve endured in the past. Over time, our protective parts keep us disconnected from ourselves and others. This is where somatic work comes into play.
Somatic Experiencing is a practice that helps us to release and recover from being stuck in patterns of survival due to repetitive stress, overwhelm and other traumas that become stored in our bodies. In this practice, the body becomes a resource rather than simply a vehicle of the mind, and is reintegrated into the change and healing process.
Somatic healing happens in the small, intentional steps we take towards reconnecting our mind and bodies. It’s about noticing your body’s cue in the moments where you were able to maintain regulation for a moment longer than you were able to before. It’s building your capacity to stay present to your activation and big emotions in those moments of becoming triggered. It’s noticing those small victories of being able to choose your responses instead of defaulting to patterns of reaction that keeps you stuck. It’s when you begin to gradually become aware that you are no longer bracing ourselves for the next possible impact in the presence of happiness. It’s noticing that you are beginning to find your way back home to your authentic self as you are starting to feel safe to be seen, heard, and to take up space once again. It’s that defining moment of realization that you have had everything you need within yourself to heal all along!
Written by Kristen Agema, Sound/Energetic
Healer & Somatic Practitioner
Rare Ember
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