Embracing A Deeper Understanding of Healing and The Body

In the intricate tapestry of our lives, experiences both joyful and challenging, shape the way we perceive and interact with the world within us and around us. For many, navigating the aftermath of trauma can cast a shadow over the simplest and seemingly innocent moments, leaving behind a sticky residue of fear and disconnection. Yet, within the depths of our being lies a reservoir of resilience and healing wisdom waiting to be rediscovered. The gateway is reliant upon a sound foundation of ‘feeling safe to feel what is arising in the body through a connection to an embodied felt sense of safety.’ 

What is this elusive sense of safety, you may wonder? – I wondered too, and so here I am, after years of healing research and nervous system restoration following neglect, childhood trauma, and betrayal stress – sharing a sense of the meaning of this – with you.

Feeling safe in our body transcends mere physical security; it is a deep-rooted felt sense and inner knowing that permeates every fiber of our being

Feeling safe in our bodies transcends mere physical security; it is a deep-rooted sense and inner knowing that permeates every fiber of our being, reassuring us that we are worthy of love, care, and support. It is a gentle yet certain whisper of reassurance that emanates from guiding oneself back home to one’s soul, the core being, one’s with oneself and for oneself while reclaiming one’s authentic self.

For those who have endured trauma, reclaiming this sense of an inner home of safety can feel like an arduous journey fraught with uncertainty, overwhelm, and vulnerability. The body hailed as a sanctuary, can feel like a battleground, haunted by memories and sensations triggering a cascade of events that refuse to fade. This journey towards reclaiming one’s inner home and body of wisdom begins by defining the differences between the body, being in one’s body, an embodied felt sense of safety, and bodywork. 

‘The body’ holds an archive of experiences, memories, and emotions, serving as a source of healing, pain, and suffering, as well as information and guidance

•  The Body: ‘The body’ is a physical vessel and so much more – it’s a complex and dynamic system that encompasses our physical, emotional, energetic, and spiritual dimensions. It is the vehicle through which one experiences the world, interacts with others, and through which one expresses themselves. ‘The body’ holds an archive of experiences, memories, and emotions, serving as a source of healing, pain, and suffering, as well as information and guidance.
•  Being in the Body: ‘Being in the body’ is the practice of cultivating present-moment awareness while feeling connected to physical sensations, thoughts, and emotions. It involves tuning into the sensations of the body – the tingling of the skin, the rhythm of the breath, the fluttering or pounding of the heart, heartache, gut-wrenching – and fully being with and inhabiting what is arising in the present moment while remaining connected to the inner experience, free of judgment or resistance. ‘Being in the body’ allows one to attend to what arises in the here and now, fostering an attunement to the nudges and nuances of shifting nervous system states with a sense of grounding, presence, connection, and aliveness. This ‘being in the body’ can feel daunting to someone who does not know how to care for themselves in the present moment when they feel stressed and triggered, and so instead move towards avoidance, distraction, and impulsive behaviors. To prevent feeling overwhelmed, it is common to numb out and disconnect from the physical body and reside in the mind by choosing ‘mind over matter,’ which adds further stress to the internal systems of the body. Separating from the body often results in chronic physical and stress-related symptoms over time. 
•  Bodywork: ‘Bodywork’ reawakens the mind-body connection and encompasses a wide range of practices and modalities that promote physical and emotional health and well-being through a variety of means. Including therapeutic approaches such as massage, yoga, craniosacral therapy, acupuncture, somatic experiencing, embodied expression, dance, and mindful movement therapies, among many others. Before doing bodywork, it’s important to know if a therapist is trauma-informed. Awakening the body connection can trigger the release of unwelcome memories that often overwhelm the nervous system, which can lead to setbacks and increased fear. This is why, it is very helpful to know how chronic and trauma stress impacts the body before one embarks upon ‘body work’ especially when there is a history of trauma. Bodywork can range from helping to release tension and energy cysts, restoring balance to the nervous system, fostering integration within the brain-body-mind information highways, and supporting somatic, emotional healing, and transformation on multiple levels.

Now, let’s explore the difference between knowing ‘I am safe’ and an ‘Embodied Felt Sense of Safety’ and connection:

• Knowing I Am Safe: this is a cognitive understanding or belief that one is not in immediate danger or harm. It is an intellectual recognition of external factors or circumstances that contribute to a sense of safety, such as being in a secure environment, surrounded by mostly warm faces, or having access to resources for protection if needed. While knowing ‘I am safe’ can provide a sense of reassurance and security, it is primarily based on external factors and may not always translate into a deep-felt experience of safety on a physiological or emotional level.
• Embodied Felt Sense of Safety and Connection: goes beyond mere intellectual understanding – it is a visceral, somatic experience that permeates every cell of your being. It involves a deep sense of self-trust, tones of inner ease and relaxation, and connection to the body, mind, energy, and emotions. Experiencing an embodied felt sense of safety and connection reinforces grounded-ness, centeredness, and a felt sense of inner ease and stability within your own skin a more dominant state. A profound sense of belonging, wholeness, and connection to oneself, others, and the world around us is a helpful side affect.

In essence, while knowing ‘I am safe’ is important for cognitive reassurance, cultivating an embodied felt sense of safety and connection is essential for true recovery, sustainable resilience, and personal growth at every level. It involves nurturing a deep and intimate relationship with and between your body and nervous system, mind, and emotions. Integrating all parts of our being enhances a trustworthy connection to an innate wisdom that strengthens over time.

I believe healing begins by honoring our souls and restoring safety to the system while gradually integrating all parts of our being

I believe healing begins by honoring our souls and restoring safety to the system while gradually integrating all parts of our being. This helps to increase the capacity to feel safe to feel and release automatic trigger responses which creates space for growth and inner freedom.  For a slow, gentle re-entry and reconnection to the body mind connection, it is advisable to seek out an experienced facilitator.  

Regulating the nervous system restores a sense of inner control while acquiring skills to pace healing becomes a vital to experience as you navigate daily life and living. This can prevent a rollover towards prolonged overwhelm or shutdown states. If and when this happens, one can trust their ability to self-regulate and restore balance and safety to the nervous system, signaling safety to the body first, then the mind follows, and the spirit can lift and even begin to soar. Cultivating an embodied felt sense of inner safety is an empowering inner anchor that helps one release the impact of stored emotions, incomplete stress cycles, and body memories.

Below are some gentle ways to begin to reintroduce yourself to your body. 

1. Grounding Practices: Engage in grounding exercises that anchor you in the present moment and connect you with the sensations of your body. Take slow, deliberate breaths, feeling the rise and fall of your chest with each inhale and exhale. Notice the support of the earth beneath you, allowing yourself to sink into its steadiness.
2. Somatic Awareness: Practice somatic awareness by tuning into the sensations present in your body without judgment or expectation. Start with small movements, such as gently stretching or rocking back and forth, allowing yourself to become aware of any areas of tension or discomfort. As you breathe into these sensations, offer yourself compassion and acceptance.
3. Progressive Muscle Relaxation: Experiment with progressive muscle relaxation techniques to release tension and promote relaxation throughout your body. Begin by tensing and then slowly releasing each muscle group, starting from your toes and working your way up to your head. Notice the subtle shifts in sensation as you soften and let go.
4. Safe Touch: Explore safe touch as a means of reconnecting with your body in a nurturing and compassionate way. This could involve gentle self-massage, hugging yourself, or wrapping yourself in a cozy blanket. Allow yourself to savor the sensation of warmth and comfort that arises from these simple acts of self-care.
5. Creative Expression: Embrace creative expression as a pathway to healing and self-discovery. Engage in activities that allow you to express yourself freely, whether through art, movement, writing, or music. Allow the creative process to be a source of empowerment and liberation, offering a safe space for exploration and self-expression.

Remember, healing is not a linear journey; it is a sacred and sometimes scary unfolding, guided by experiences within the present moment and the wisdom of the body. With patience, compassion, skill and gentle courage, one can cultivate an embodied felt sense of safety that serves as a beacon of light that informs healing.

You are deserving of love, belonging, and healing beyond measure. Through a little education, a lot of experiential learning and trauma informed practices you can cultivate a profound sense of inner safety and connection as circumstances from the past arise. Support your journey towards healing, recovery, growth, and self-discovery by reuniting the body as a whole, recruiting the mind as an ally, reclaiming your vital energy and emotional freedom and release tension within your beautiful spirit.

Can you hear and trust the voice of your soul as it whispers, ‘It is safe to feel,’ ‘It is safe to feel alive again’, even as the journey continues to unfold? 

Photo by camilo jimenez on Unsplash

 

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