Pathways_SP23_DigitalMagazine

TO YOUR HEALTH

Somatic Intelligence... ...continued from page 35

ters mimic their mother’s postural patterns while sons mimic their father’s. In turn, their body symptoms often mimic one another, as do their behavioral patterns. Which came first? As a body-led clinician, I treat the body first and then work with my clients to repattern their posture through neuromuscular re-education exercises. It is easier to bring awareness to the behaviors and body symptoms once we release what is keeping the body stuck in the cycles of dysfunction. Sometimes, a position in space can trigger an emotional response. This is why it is critical for our bodyworkers to seek training in trau- ma. All too often, I have seen manual therapists instruct their clients to sit, stand, or lie in a position that mimics a moment in time where trauma occurred, resulting in a body response that can feel like the trauma is happening all over again. This re-traumatization can also occur when a manual therapist touches a place on the body that holds emotion. A trauma-informed manual therapist is aware of this pos- sibility and takes precautions before beginning a session, by asking for consent and educating the patient on the possibility that trauma responses may be triggered during the session. They also use tools for grounding and pacing the sessions so that the nervous system has time to integrate the emotional releases in real-time. Learning how to speak the language of the body will help you to better understand your own emotions and behaviors. Just like learn- ing any new language, this process takes time and practice. The body is like a child; in fact, in the study of Psychodynamics, the body (soma) IS your inner child. Just like a child, the more you show your body you are listening, the more the body will trust you and the more informa- tion it will give you.

Photo by Inge Poelman on Unsplash

My hope is that you are now inspired to value your somatic intel - ligence with the same veracity in which you value your logical intelli- gence. Make space to connect with your body every day — and if you aren’t sure where to begin, I will happily guide you. Nyle is an Occupational Therapist with a speciality in holistic manual therapies that consider the mind-body-spirit interplay. Nyle has worked in clinical settings to address pain in patients for more than 15 years. In 2016 Nyle began teaching patients and other clinicians how to self-assess and treat their own pain, which later evolved into a 6-week group healing course known as the Embodiment Project. Nyle also teaches a 9-month Embodiment Certification program to practitioners who wish to incorporate The Four Quadrants of Embodiment into their own approach to healing. For more information on their online courses and training programs or to find free resources to get started on your own personal embodiment journey, visit www. bluenyletherapy.com. Nyle is leading the 5-day Embodiment Project Retreat — a course blending trau - ma-informed mental wellness, energy healing and bodywork — this June at the Path - ways Retreat Center. For more information and to register, visit www.PathwaysPro - ductions.com/retreats.

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36—PATHWAYS—Spring 23

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