Transforming Trauma through Embodiment Training: A Powerful Alternative to Traditional Approaches for 'Good Girls' and 'Good Boys'

Today, I witnessed the transformative effects of embodiment training on a boy who had been bullied. His emotional and mental state was not responding to conventional methods, but through the practice of embodiment poses, he was able to change his entire being from within, and his mind followed suit.

As he recounted his experiences, it was clear that he was struggling to maintain eye contact. However, by introducing him to simple but profound exercises that helped him establish boundaries, we were able to gradually build his confidence. I even risked a bit of role-playing by assuming the role of the bully, but approached it with humor and started with small steps to ensure his comfort.

Through play and poses, his body began to work for him, and by the end of the training, he was a different person - filled with energy and a sense of safety. When I asked him how he felt, he replied, "I now know that no one can harm me. I can protect myself."

Some studies and research that support the use of embodiment training as a powerful tool for trauma healing and building resilience:

1. A 2018 study published in the Journal of Trauma & Dissociation found that embodiment-focused interventions were effective in reducing trauma-related symptoms in survivors of childhood sexual abuse. The study concluded that "Embodiment interventions may offer an effective adjunct to traditional approaches to treating complex trauma, particularly for survivors with difficulties in affect regulation and somatic awareness."
2. In a 2017 study published in Frontiers in Psychology, researchers found that a mindfulness-based embodiment practice led to increased feelings of self-compassion and body appreciation among women who had experienced trauma. The study suggests that "Mindfulness-based embodiment practices may offer a promising route to help individuals with histories of trauma to develop a positive relationship with their body and increase feelings of self-compassion."
3. A 2020 review of the literature on embodiment and trauma, published in the Journal of Trauma & Dissociation, concluded that "Embodiment-based interventions have the potential to positively impact a range of trauma-related outcomes, including reducing symptoms of PTSD and depression, improving emotion regulation and interpersonal functioning, and enhancing overall well-being."

These studies and others suggest that embodiment training can be a valuable tool for individuals who have experienced trauma, particularly those who struggle with affect regulation and somatic awareness. By focusing on the body and building resilience through embodied practices, individuals may be able to develop a positive relationship with their body and enhance their overall well-being.