Building Capacity for our Emotions: Somatic Tools for Self-Awareness

Somatic therapy facilitates resolution of trauma and PTSD responses. We can’t always think our way out of traumatic experiences. One of the biggest issues that we face as human beings is that we can feel trapped by our own physical and emotional states. These are the times that we feel panicky and anxious, without the ability to calm down. Other times we feel depressed and unmotivated and can’t seem to accomplish simple tasks. The brilliance of somatic interventions is the ability to directly intervene by developing new neural pathways and behaviors that provide alternative ways of responding to your environment without getting stuck in the habits of the past.
Learn more about somatic therapy for trauma treatment here: drarielleschwa...

[@SusmitaBarua_mita]

Thank you so much Arielle. We are never taught by parents, schools or culture how to feel and express our strong emotions and be vulnerable in safe spaces without shame and blame. Suppressing or denying the energy of emotions stores them in the body and we feel stuck, heavy, sick and trapped internally and not safe in our bodies. By connecting with each parts of our body, sensation and breath with loving-kindness we can slowly process and release the old emotions and feel light-hearted and free again.

[@dr.arielleschwartz913]

@@SusmitaBarua_mita so well said.

[@Hope-ll7ub]

Listening to your knowledge is very comforting. 💙🌈❤️

[@rebeccaruby531]

I'm "oh so happy" to have discovered you. You're teaching me it's OK to be gentle with myself. My attention span is short so your 10 min videos are perfect for me. I'm 65 and feeling terribly stuck. So.....I'm adding to my comment because almost immediately after saying I am stuck, I cried. And I mean CRIED! Holy wow- Thanks 😮😊

[@dr.arielleschwartz913]

@@rebeccaruby531 which a tender share, I am glad you felt safe enough to feel and release. 💞

[@jimrich4192]

In group therapy & elsewhere, I noticed that showing my feelings of sorrow or anger often UPSET others, so I assumed I was wrong & bad for disturbing others. Somehow I eventually learned that they were upset with my emotional expressions because my open feelings were THREATENING to expose or unleash their own carefully hidden, controlled & SHAMEFUL feelings, so they bitterly RESENTED or feared my exposed feelings & me for allowing that to happen IN THEIR PRESENCE! Once I understood that I am not wrong or bad for APPOPREATELY showing my feelings, I stopped feeling ashamed of my feelings & began letting them out whenever I needed to & in ANY PLACE!!! I'd spent years hiding & fearing my own feelings, but now I had permission to FEEL & SHOW my feelings! It was up & down at first since I had little experience openly handling my feelings...especially sorrow & anger.

[@ZiggyLu-og3zp]

Thank you. This really helped me and is helping my journey of healing. I believe 40 days seems to be the amount of time that one can heal if they are removed from toxic situations. I feel so disconnected from myself. I never thought I’d end up here. Hoping to recover to wholeness. Thanks again!

[@elingiskehgalmen7680]

Thank you so much, I have stored many of your nevroyoga videoes and practice almost avery day. This has helped me a lot, with your calm guidence and poems 🙏

[@gigio888]

My gosh Arielle, you are so Beautiful and your work is so Amazing and inspiring. It touches my Heart every time. Thank you

[@aldussault]

teaching what I learn helps to integrate it

[@dottiemama]

Very helpful tools thank you

[@jeansroses7249]

what I struggle with is the fact that I am (as "the controller") not trustworthy to my inner "children", so I'm not sure I am the best person to try to offer these things you suggest. However, what I can do is to invite Jesus to reach out to that inner child and to provide the thing that seems needed. I always ask Him too to help me to let go of the control, but I have to respect my need to be in control cuz that was what helped me to survive abuse. So, it's a delicate dance.

[@cherylwilsherlimberlife7210]

Feeling a little less alone

[@chris_822]

Thank you for the work you do. I bought one of your books when I got diagnosed to try to learn more. I had no idea that certain things in my life or behavior were a result of my CPTSD. The books and your blogs have helped me understand and make more sense of the things my therapist tries to teach me. I share your work with friends and loved ones who also struggle.

[@wendyalward6549]

Awesome share ! Thank you .

[@jasonleeauthor2036]

Dr Schwartz, i watch your videos and read your blogs everyday because similar to Dr Rick Hanson who's another fav of mine, you have genuine compassion that really speaks to your audience. Thank you for your gentle tips and tools on somatic healing, and for providing excellent resources for those who've experienced trauma. All your videos and blogs are so helpful in understanding my trauma and myself. Thank you!

[@dr.arielleschwartz913]

Thank you, Jason. Your feedback is very meaningful to me. I am a big fan of Rick Hanson too!

[@lindsay5305]

This was useful and real. Many speak on capacity and its not based in authentic life experiences 😊

[@cyndibennett7205]

So powerful!!! Thank you!!!

[@kayewilliams4517]

Really helpful thank you for these videos Dr. Schwartz. Bringing the somatic and mental/emotional together with tools to work with is helpful.

[@betulacarduyar7039]

Thank you dear Arille🙏

[@AprilHart]

Thank you!! This is a great easy way to check in and providing examples helped me to understand how to apply this method.

[@user-pc5om5mb7f]

So perfectly helpful. thank you !

[@ts3858]

I can't offer that to my inner child. I need outside therapists/ or friends to be the loving adult here and offer protection to the child since parents could not do that.

[@Thatsbannanas-d8c]

Why not? Have you tried?

[@orsolyavarga7212]

Thank you!

[@barbarabraun1273]

Thank you!!!!

[@andiedutton2673]

Thank you so much

[@ubilozberossus1579]

thank you

[@Thatsbannanas-d8c]

Thank you. I’m doing my best. Life is hard, and it’s messy.

[@lauracaoromero]

I loved it; I love me!

[@ts3858]

Relational trauma is healed w relational therapy....(others)

[@sherrimusic9172]

@@r.g.j.leclaire8963 That's great to hear as I can't afford therapy just yet XD

[@brownbambieyes]