Unlocking Trauma Healing: Exploring What Are Somatic Practices
Welcome to the Aura Institute, where we offer advanced trauma-informed training so that you can have the tools to transform the lives of those affected by trauma.
Our curriculum is accredited for continuing education by prestigious organizations like the APA and Board of Nurses, ensuring practitioners receive top-notch training and credentials.
Contact us at info@aurainstitute.org or (424) 400-3048 to begin your journey as a certified trauma practitioner and make a positive impact in trauma care.
Unlocking Trauma Healing: Exploring Somatic Practices
Going Beyond Mindfulness: Somatic Practices and Healing Trauma
At the Aura Institute, our mission is to empower individuals in their journey towards mental health. This journey often requires exploring multiple therapeutic practices, one of which is the somatic approach. This unique, body-focused method may be precisely what someone needs to heal from trauma. Herein, we delve deeper by asking, "What are somatic practices?"
Key Points
- Definition and brief history of somatic practices
- Understanding the link between trauma and the body
- How somatic practices work
- The benefits of somatic practices
- Common types of somatic therapies
- FAQs about somatic practices
Somatic practices date back to the early-20th-century work of Wilhelm Reich and Pierre Janet. They rest on the principal being 'soma,' a Greek word meaning 'body.' These practices involve techniques like meditation, breathwork, and physical movement, including dance and yoga, to release emotional tension manifesting in the body.
"Unlike traditional talk therapy, where you analyze your thoughts, emotions, and behavior, somatics gets you to focus on bodily sensation."
Trauma often leads to a disconnection between our bodies and minds, causing symptoms like chronic stress and anxiety. Somatic practices allow us to bridge this gap and dissipate these negative effects. They help foster the mind-body connection, and as a result, allow us to heal from trauma deeply and holistically.
Harnessing the Power of the Body
Our bodies remember trauma more vividly than our minds. They store traumatic experiences, leading to what Bessel van der Kolk termed 'the body keeps the score.' This idea is central to somatic practices, as they work to unlock and manage the kinetic energy that trauma imprint on the body.
Benefits of Somatic Practices
Somatic practices can boost self-awareness, emotional resilience, and stress management, among others. They can lead to emotional liberation, ultimately fostering overall wellbeing.
Some common types of somatic therapies include Somatic Experiencing, Hakomi, and Sensorimotor Psychotherapy. Each approach takes a slightly different perspective on how to facilitate healing.
FAQs on Somatic Practices
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What is the goal of somatic practices?The goal is to allow individuals to connect with their bodies to release tension and trauma-related kinetic energy stored within.
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Who can benefit from somatic practices?Anyone can benefit from these practices. They are particularly helpful for individuals that have experienced trauma, suffer from chronic stress, or have issues connecting their mind and body healthily.
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How can I start practicing somatically?Taking part in guided yoga, meditation, or seeking a trained professional from platforms like Aura Institute can help you start your journey.
Our understanding of the mind is ever evolving, making mental health a continually growing field. Somatic practices' efficacy, in particular, is becoming evident, as researchers are beginning to understand the powerful mind-body link. The practices serve as a testament to the holistic nature of healing and growth - a process that goes beyond our thoughts and emotions, landing at the physical level within ourselves.
Ready to start your career as a trauma informed care practitioner? Contact us at info@aurainstitute.org or (424) 400-3048 to begin your journey as a certified trauma practitioner and make a positive impact in trauma care.