Transmuting Trapped Energy (Trauma) With SomaticSelf-Love
As someone who has personally experienced childhood sexual abuse and the resulting CPTSD, I know firsthand how overwhelming and confusing the journey of trauma recovery can be…
For years, I grappled with flashbacks and relentless reliving of trauma, exploring numerous modalities help – from talk therapy to EMDR.
It wasn’t until I discovered breathwork in 2011 that a deeper process of loving myself at a bodily level began to really move the trapped energy from the past. This (and much more) led to the creation of Somatic Self-Love.
The last three decades of relentless devotion to my recovery journey has led to the creation of the Somatic Self-Love Toolkit – a tool designed to facilitate connection with our bodies and gently transmute past pain into love.
Recovery at Your Fingertips
With nearly 100 free resources readily accessible in our Somatic Self-Love Toolkit, you have a wealth of knowledge and guidance at your fingertips.
We’ve devoted 20 of these resources exclusively to the vital topic of recovery from Complex Post Traumatic Stress Disease (CPTSD), helping you connect more deeply with your body and learn to nurture it with love and care.
Each of these resources is a stepping stone towards healing and transformation, designed to support you in your journey of recovery and growth.
A Central Hypothesis: It is Traumatic To Be A Woman in Today’s World
And while my lived experience may seem extreme, one of the hypotheses of Somatic Self-Love is that even if a woman hasn’t experienced overt forms of gender-based violence (GBV) such as physical or sexual abuse, most of us still carry “trapped energy” or have symptoms of Complex Post-Traumatic Stress Disease (CPTSD).
This can be due to the cumulative effect of microaggressions, gender bias, discrimination, and other forms of gender-based violence that women often encounter in a patriarchal society.
Several recent studies provide supportive evidence for this hypothesis:
- Nelson et al. (2017) in their study “The impact of gender discrimination on gender-based violence and the mental health of women in the United States” found that experiences of gender discrimination were associated with increased risk of a variety of mental health disorders, including CPTSD.
- A study by Breslau et al. (2017), “Gender differences in trauma and posttraumatic stress disorder: A review and consideration of causal mechanisms”, showed that women are at a higher risk of developing PTSD than men, even when controlling for the type of traumatic event.
- Sigurvinsdottir et al. (2019) in “The impact of sexual harassment on depressive symptoms during the early occupational career” found that even “mild” forms of sexual harassment can have significant impacts on women’s mental health.
- Curtis et al. (2018) in “Gender and the association between long-term prescription opioid use and new-onset depression” found that women who had long-term prescription opioid use were at a higher risk of developing depressive symptoms, suggesting a possible link between chronic pain (a common symptom of CPTSD) and depression in women.
It’s important to recognize that trauma exists on a spectrum. The less obvious but more pervasive experiences of sexism, discrimination, and microaggressions can also lead to significant emotional distress resulting in unresolved trapped energy.
What Can We Do About It?
Recognizing and addressing these issues is a crucial step toward healing and societal change. There is a Ripple Effect that happens when each woman chooses to feel love alive in her body.
As we choose to nurture a sense of love and respect for ourselves, to embody love, it creates a positive shift in our personal energy. This shift can then ripple outwards, influencing the people and the environment around us – our families, workplaces, universities and churches to name a few.
This is the Ripple Effect. As each woman frees this energy and moves into agency, she becomes a beacon of change, empowering other women to embark on their own journeys of empowerment.
This collective transformation can gradually dismantle the harmful structures of patriarchy, changing our societies into spaces where all individuals — regardless of gender — can thrive. The Ripple Effect is not just about personal growth; it’s about collective transformation, driven by the powerful force of love.
So, begin your somatic self-love journey today. Access these resources, explore the exercises and practices, and see how they resonate with you.
Share your experiences and feedback with us, helping us create an even more robust and helpful toolkit!
Together, let’s make strides towards a future where every woman and girl can embrace herself with love and appreciation, fostering a sense of safety, value, and empowerment.
Embrace the journey of somatic self-love, not only for yourself but also for the broader community of women and girls worldwide.
Take that first step today. You are not alone in this journey. We are here, supporting and cheering you on every step of the way.
Be A Part of the Change You Want To See In the World!
Ready to embark on a transformative journey towards a more compassionate, empowering, and loving relationship with yourself? Looking for the tools and guidance to help you navigate this path? You’re in the right place!
When you sign up for our newsletter, you’ll receive the Somatic Self-Love Starter Guide – a comprehensive resource designed to help you explore and practice somatic self-love. This guide offers valuable insights, practical exercises, and a wealth of knowledge to support you on your journey towards healing, self-understanding, and feeling self-love alive in your body.
By joining our community, you’ll also:
- Receive regular updates, filled with inspiring content, useful tips, and latest research on somatic practices and self-love.
- Connect with a supportive, global community of individuals, just like you, who are exploring somatic self-love and transforming their lives.
- Gain exclusive access to additional resources, workshops, webinars, and special events designed to deepen your understanding and practice of somatic self-love.
But that’s not all. Your journey towards somatic self-love is also a step towards creating a world that respects the dignity, worth, and equality of every individual. As you nurture and empower yourself, you contribute to a ripple effect that can inspire change, challenge oppressive systems, and foster a culture of respect and empathy.