Ways to process trauma

I constantly seek opportunities to improve myself and enhance my quality of life and well-being.

My current focus is exploring bodywork, a realm I have been involved in for years through healing practices and studying shamanism. However, I am now intrigued by specific physical exercises believed to aid in trauma processing.

On Instagram, I've been following a woman who calls herself The Workout Witch, who provides a course on Somatic Therapy aimed at releasing trauma from the body through exercises. She presents various options based on your focus area: hips, shoulders and neck, jaw, or lower back. I opted for the comprehensive package, which spans 90 days and includes daily exercises and strength training upon course completion.

Designed for individuals trapped in fight-or-flight mode, the exercises are gentle and soothing, helping reduce tension and restore balance to the nervous system. While The Workout Witch suggests a 10-minute daily routine, the workouts typically last between 6 and 18 minutes, ensuring they do not require a significant time commitment. The change I see in myself is my newfound willingness to start working with my body from the beginning.

Although I have practised yoga and other types of exercise numerous times, I have never achieved significant success. I often compared my progress to those working out longer than me or set unrealistic expectations for myself. However, this time, I embrace my status as a beginner and am willing to start from scratch. I eagerly anticipate each day's workout and am excited to observe any noticeable changes in myself after 90 days.

I noticed positive changes right away; however, during the initial few days, I experienced significant discomfort in my lower back on the right side, which had been bothering me for a while. Additionally, I felt stiffness in almost every muscle, which is not uncommon for someone who works in an office and doesn't engage in much physical activity. After ten days, I started to feel a difference, especially in my lower back, and the soreness in that region decreased significantly.

For some reason, I believed that experiencing mild pain in different body parts was common and accepted it as a normal condition, assuming that everyone dealt with some level of pain. However, I now realize that improving my physical well-being, reducing pain, and enhancing my strength might be possible. I envision a future where I continue to prioritize exercise even beyond the conclusion of this program, making it a permanent part of my lifestyle.

I've previously attempted such exercises when I attended a workshop with Svava Brooks, an instructor in Iceland who specializes in similar exercises. She provides training in TRE® (Tension, Stress & Trauma Release), a method she claims is effective in aiding the body in releasing deep-seated tension, stress, and trauma stored in the muscles. This approach aims to alleviate worry and anxiety, lessen PTSD symptoms, boost energy levels and endurance, and enhance sleep quality.

Back then, I lacked sufficient knowledge about these exercises and failed to recognize their potential benefits. I also didn't realize that my body was constantly in survival mode, flooded with cortisol every day. Consequently, I didn't pursue them further at that time. However, I am now eager to embark on this journey myself and observe the outcome. This marks the next phase in my personal development, and I am convinced that addressing thoughts, emotions, and physical well-being is crucial for achieving mental health.