Setting Trauma Free with breath
Where ever the trauma is, however deep it feels, by bringing breath and movement to the body, we can start to move through it. To open it and set it free. I can’t tell you how often I’ve come to my mat depressed, demoralised, broken hearted, inconsolable and found a way through just by breathing and moving.
It’s really that simple. And that’s where I start. With the breath. With the calming it brings. The slowing of the racing heart, the stilling of the chattering mind that began chattering to distract from pain.
Breath and Movement
The next step, once you feel comfortable and safe enough to breathe deeply, is to move. To join breath and movement. To open the muscles that have bunched. To release the fascia that has become tight, to free yourself and flow with the breath. By carefully expanding, allowing space to re-enter the body, by allowing the muscles to stretch and release, we can tap into a wisdom we didn’t know we had. The wisdom of the body and mind working as one.
Linking breath, movement and intention brings balance. It returns us to homeostasis and allows our innately intelligent bodies to quietly take the opportunity to release emotions we didn’t even realise we were storing.
If you’ve experienced deep trauma or illness, go slowly, and listen to what your body has to say. If it hurts, back off. Always back away from pain. Breathe into it, gently acknowledge it, and perhaps, if you feel able, walk to the edge of it with whichever pose you’re practising, but never force yourself through it and into it.
About the Author: Rebecca Hayward
