Working with Stored Emotions and Trauma Somatically and Safely
May 19–20
The body experiences thoughts and emotions before they are cognized by the mind. The body is also a storehouse for unprocessed thoughts and emotions – especially those that were traumatic and uncomfortable. Tending to the body is imperative when working with trauma, as the nervous system and tissues hold memory.
Acknowledging the role of the body when addressing trauma facilitates the releasing of the harm caused by PTSD. By addressing both mind and body, the ingrained, habitual patterns can be attended to with balanced respect and understanding for the roles they play separately and together. Mindfulness of sensations, of emotions and of thoughts – held in a perspective of kindness can greatly reduce the continued harm of reliving a painful past.
This workshop for professionals will teach a number of mindfulness based skills for working with students, patients, and clients with trauma. We will learn both the theory of this body-centered approach to working with trauma, as well as embodied mindfulness practices that can be utilized with a variety of clients.
Skillfully opening and releasing areas of the body, through posture, breath and visualization will be tools offered to address the burden of trauma.
Learning Objectives:
• Describe techniques of clear, non – judging attention
• Explain how to identify the stories about sensations and ways to dis-engage the story from the sensation
• Describe a visualization practice to work with releasing stubborn areas of sensations related to trauma
• Describe and demonstrate a breath practice for kindness and compassion and clearing constellations of sensations
• Describe a loving kindness practice that soothes strong emotions such as grief, regret and blame
• Describe a forgiveness practice as it relates to trauma
WHAT TO BRING/WEAR: Comfortable, loose clothing.