Our emotions are said to be energy in motion, and energy is meant to move. Suppressing or ignoring overwhelming feelings leads to trapping our emotional wounds within the body, which later manifest physically. Something similar happened to Divya, one of the many clients of Sophia Ali, a psychotherapist and somatic movement educator. When she was introduced to the concept of somatic therapy by her cousin, Divya had been to several therapists, but nothing seemed to help her chronic backache, shoulder pain, headaches, and dizziness in between working hours.
The purpose of somatic therapy is to release the stored stress, tension, and trauma from the body in a healthy and safe manner via somatic exercises like dance movement therapy, drama therapy, or art therapy, amongst others. While tracing the root cause of Divya's bodily pains during the initial sessions, Sophia discovered that Divya has a history of unresolved childhood trauma. "It's not like I asked her this verbally. Often, her past experience would come up when we would do breathing exercises," Sophia says, further adding that during one of those days, Divya told her, 'I was standing outside my classroom as a punishment once, and I felt that today when I was breathing.' Such is the capacity of somatic therapy, Sophia says. As her client started getting better, their sessions gradually faded from twice a week to once a week, to now only need-based therapy.
In the 2004 book The Body Keeps The Score, trauma expert Bessel van der Kolk explains that trauma leaves an imprint on our mind, body, and soul. Thus, you won't be able to heal the mind without first addressing the emotions held in the body.
Intimately Intertwined
This story is from the Grazia NOVEMBER 2023 edition of Grazia India.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the Grazia NOVEMBER 2023 edition of Grazia India.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
STRAIGHT-TALKING
Designer Urvashi Kaur writes about her commitment to a more inclusive and sustainable future of fashion built around her community
FANTASY & THE FAMILIAR
Author Leigh Bardugo on creating a believable world and writing fiction inspired by history
BELLE OF THE BALL
As the popular show is ready to release its third season, costume designer John Glaser and make-up artist Erika Okvist share their insights on bringing the characters of Bridgerton fo ife
IN TREATMENT
What mental health experts want you to know about therapy beyond CBT and, well, Instagram
MEDIEVAL TREASURES
Jaipur's new crown jewel, the Museum Of Minakari Heritage, is a tight little promise of pleasure
HEARD IT THROUGH THE GRAPEVINE
Key womenswear trends from the 1960s are doing the rounds on our feeds, and have even made it to our summer mood boards. We unpack the opposing forces shaping this redux
YOUR PERSONAL OASIS
If a well-deserved break is what you need, then this property is perfect for you
IN HER ELEMENT
If Elisabeth Moss didn’t already ho. an extensive filmography, he has now added a spy show into the mix as well. As Moss delves into the realm of action with FX’s The Veil, the actor reveals how she got under the skin of her character
EMBROIDERED TO PERFECTION
Ancient Indian myths and their modern reinterpretations reign supreme at the Venice Biennale this time
A SWEET SLICE OF GLAM
It’s the season of beaches, sunning, and summer plans and this resort ensures that your TLC and your parties are all under one roof