.png)
By: Stephanie Compton-Bain, MA, LBS, LPC
Hey there, I see you. You’ve been carrying the weight of Complex PTSD (CPTSD) for what feels like forever. That heavy feeling? It’s not just in your head—your body is holding it too. Trauma doesn’t just live in your thoughts; it finds a home in your body. And that's where the magic of somatic embodiment comes in. It’s a key that can help unlock years of stored emotions and aid in your healing.
What is Somatic Embodiment?
Somatic embodiment is about connecting with your body and tuning into the emotions stored inside it. We live in a culture that often separates mind and body, but the truth is, they’re deeply connected. When you experience trauma, it’s not just a mental or emotional event; it’s also a physical one. Your body remembers what your mind tries to forget, and that can manifest as chronic pain, tension, fatigue, or even a sense of disconnect.
You might have noticed that certain triggers cause your heart to race or make your stomach drop. Or maybe your shoulders tighten without you even realizing it. That’s your body speaking to you. Somatic embodiment invites you to listen.
Trauma is Stored in the Body
When you’ve been through repeated or prolonged trauma, like with CPTSD, your nervous system becomes stuck in survival mode. Your body has learned to brace itself against threats—real or perceived—and it holds onto that tension, often for years. This is why you might feel “on edge” even in moments of safety, or like your body is always ready for the worst.
Here’s the thing: the body stores the trauma not because it’s trying to punish you, but because it’s trying to protect you. It’s doing what it is biologically programmed to do. But at some point, these stored emotions and patterns can start to feel like chains. Somatic embodiment helps you gently unwind those chains, one layer at a time.
How Somatic Embodiment Helps Process Trauma
Emotions are energy in motion. When trauma happens, that emotional energy can get stuck, and instead of flowing through us, it stagnates and creates tension. Somatic practices help release that energy by encouraging you to fully feel and experience what’s going on in your body in the here and now and let go of the trauma from the past.
Here are a few ways somatic embodiment can aid in trauma processing:
1. Tuning into Your Body’s Signals
Start by noticing how your body feels. Where are you holding tension? Is your breath shallow or deep? What emotions come up as you scan through your body? Simply becoming aware of these sensations is the first step toward release. You're acknowledging that your body has been holding onto something and you’re ready to let it speak.
2. Moving with Intention
Movement can be a powerful way to process stuck emotions. Gentle practices of movement or even mindful walking help release stored tension and emotion. Trauma isn’t static; it moves, and when you allow your body to move intentionally, it can help process what’s been stuck for so long.
3. Breathing Deeply and Fully
When you’re in survival mode, your breath is shallow. Deep, mindful breathing helps signal to your nervous system that it’s safe to relax. It activates the parasympathetic nervous system, which is responsible for rest, recovery, and healing. As you breathe deeply, you're inviting your body to let go of the tension it’s been holding onto.
4. Grounding Yourself
Grounding techniques—like feeling your feet on the earth, holding onto something solid, or noticing the sensations of the present moment—can bring you back to the here and now, especially when old trauma triggers arise. Grounding connects you to your body in the present, reminding you that the trauma is in the past, and you are safe now.
5. Feeling the Emotions Fully
This part can feel scary, I know. You’ve been running from those painful emotions for a long time. But here’s the thing: emotions can’t hurt you. When you allow yourself to fully feel sadness, anger, or fear without pushing them away, you give them the space to move through you. They stop being frozen in your body and begin to dissolve. You learn that you can survive the emotions—they don’t have to control you anymore.
Healing is a Process, Not a Race
Somatic work isn’t about achieving some perfect state of "healed." It’s about slowly, gently, and compassionately reconnecting with your body, step by step. Healing trauma is not a linear process, and some days will feel heavier than others. But by committing to this practice, you’re telling yourself, “I’m worth healing. I deserve to feel safe in my body.”
It’s not always easy, but with each breath, each stretch, each moment of tuning in, you’re teaching your body that it’s safe to release. And that’s a huge step toward healing.
Remember, you’re not alone in this journey. Your body is here with you every step of the way, and it holds so much wisdom and strength. You have the tools within you to heal, and somatic embodiment is just one way to tap into that.
Take a deep breath, let your shoulders soften, and remind yourself: Your body knows how to heal. Trust in that. Sending you warmth and light on your journey to wholeness.
Comments