Gaia: Mind-Body Healing:Yoga, Bodywork, Therapy, Breathwork, Dance

Re: healing trauma in the New Age climate

http://seagull.gaia.com — Sat, 01 Aug 2009 07:03:43 GMT

Daate, Grace and Shameslaya, Thank you all for your powerful posts on healing trauma in a new age climate. I have just read them all for the first time, and I am so happy to resonate with all you have shared. As someone who 'felt' for most of my life a deep shame for 'what'? A self hatred, which I covered with spiritual smiles!!. I had no idea!! I had total amnesia, and had to suffer the slings and arrows of one new age latest fashion technique after another, so that my 'guru' or facilitator of the day, would feel she/he had achieved nirvana if I began to feel better about myself. The new age spiritual bypassing techniques nearly worked in creating even deeper amnesia, but thankfully my body is far more intelligent than I ever gave it credit for, and it pushed it's way into awareness and enlightenement through sheer hard slogging - pain and all!

Today at age 60, I have feelings in my body that are still a new experience for me - sometimes scary as hell, but with an aliveness that makes me smile quietly in appreciation of who I am - shame free, and
satiisfied.

Yaay

Clare

Re: Radical Transformation: A Map to Mind-Body Ecstasy

http://Ti-Shu.gaia.com — Fri, 31 Jul 2009 12:18:43 GMT

Hello guys,

I joined this pod mainly to sneak peak at what you guys are doing here, personally I have close to no experience whatsoever of any of these approaches but the whole concept resonates amazingly with a part of my life I feel has been missing so far. I am more of a thinker than a doer, my head in the clouds more often than my feet on the ground. I don't have any (major) physical illness, but I've always lacked in ability to intergrate what is going on in my head with the rest of my body.

Julian, I just got your CD-collection and I enjoyed your lectures immensly! So much of what I've been pondering upon about spirituality, symbology, mental development, rationality, the mind-body connection etc simply fell into place. I love your clear, straight to the point style of teaching. On some topics, you even used the same words or metaphores to explain some things that I myself have used (except you did it better, lol). One thing though, the CDs are audio files only, which made it near impossible for me to follow the yoga sessions. I'm thinking maybe it's easier if I familiarize myself with the basics of yoga first, perhaps your instructions will then be easier to follow. It would also be nice to get hold of the handouts used in the lectures, I'm really curious about those pressure points and I would love to explore more on that area. Maybe you (or anyone else) could suggest a good starting point for a beginner? I've always enjoyed giving and recieving massages, but I've never gone beyond the "does this feel good?" method.

I know this thread is old, but hopefully you'll pop in here at some point...

Re: healing trauma in the New Age climate

http://siona.gaia.com — Fri, 12 Jun 2009 23:35:03 GMT

Gosh. This conversation is old, I know, but I was exposed to a concept recently that, to my mind, relates brilliantly to this, and that caused a certain crystallization in my own thinking.

I'd been exploring the work of Sente, and came across their assertion that it's important to differentiate our energy body from our spiritual selves. Sente holds that our energy bodies are no more and no less special and unique than our physical bodies--meaning that they have needs that must be met, and, as importantly, boundaries that must be maintained. A failure to understand this, or an approach that confuses the spiritual self with the energetic self, leads to such things as people wanting to merge into oneness (a spiritual desire) with their energetic selves (not cool--again, we need good boundaries).

I'm not sure whether this resonates with anyone else, but to me, it made so much sense. Our culture is relatively naive (or at least unschooled) in energy work (unlike, say, Chinese or Indian society), and so it's easy for people to confuse energy with spirituality. In any case, I thought it pertained nicely to Daate's outline. And of course I'd welcome other thoughts. :)

looking for a deeper realm within me...

http://tylerpoteet.gaia.com — Tue, 16 Dec 2008 11:41:27 GMT

new, green, novice....i;;m clearing the path one step at a time as i go....my communication systems are down....my arise in this world is just now taking place it feels...it's as though i am refreshed and remember nothing with the start of each new day. My goal is to obtain peace....balance...to find an equalibrium in life, love, happiness...to live to see and know life in only these degrees....wheather it be to experience very little happiness.....or tremendous quantites of love....measure life as though the glass is more so full than empty....
religion is minimul in my life....focus is easy distracted and distraut....i am looking for support in obtaining a better liking and control of my soul...my mind...my body....the world which i see....
can someone advise me in practices and exercise.....possibly even sites of retreats where i can seek help with me....and all that i am and desire to do....?

Re: healing trauma in the New Age climate

http://grace2244.gaia.com — Sun, 09 Nov 2008 18:14:50 GMT

Amazing post. When the childhood trauma has included an attack of the person's spiritual beliefs or spiritual development, healing includes redefining or transforming what was imposed to what is desired or fits within the spectrum of the healing person's scope of what feels comfortable and safe.

IMO, the spiritual journey for any person is a lifelong process. There is no definitive ending since we are always evolving. It would be ideal if all seeking a higher meaning to their spiritual selves were met with the sensitivity described by Daate.For unhealed survivors to come to a community such as Gaia means recognizing it may be triggering or may be an opportunity to work within a spiritual structure where others can learn from the survivor as opposed to the survivor accepting what is said--challenging rather than "fight, flight, freeze", which is a new form of freedom.

While Gaia strives to be an all accepting community, it is not an ideal all are able to achieve. I think Gaia is far beyond that of most who speak of unity but clearly practice another concept. Healing survivors take on challenges in pursuit of healing that are acceptable. Having the open mind to work with others who might be in a more fragile place is a good start. Survivors must ultimately take responsibility for their own healing and tread lightly in new environments. I have met several who have found a safe home here which speaks very highly of the people of this community. I'm proud to be a part of Gaia.

Re: Yoga for Eating Disorders and PTSD

http://SunShinesOnYoga.gaia.com — Tue, 04 Nov 2008 16:28:31 GMT

In my experience, it absolutely connects. I have studied allot about behavior psychology...Not sure if you ever heard Pavlov's dog? In short the dog a bell is rung, the dog is given food- over and over...Later in the study the bell is rung, but no food- dog still salivates. In essence, we link things together based on our experience. Sometimes, yes, a true pysiological thing happens- we go in fight or flight, we salivate, etc...The question is- what triggored it?

In my personal experience, the more I got into yoga- I started to feel my body, to know my body, I noticed the patterns in my mind- as that developed that...I pulled my practice into my life. Through kind observation and all the rest- i became aware of my reactions, I saw what triggored my behavior. I would say for me it took about 2 years of playing a game with myself to change my behavior I developed.

It took time, I wasn't always good or easy. This intergrated my whole sense of being- I changed the pattern...I really know that yoga for me was the key to unlock the door to unconditional love, to feeling and to true compassionate acknowledgement that helped me to unravel, thus accepting myself for all I am and that I am not.

What about you? What is your experience? Anything you have read specific to the subject that you suggest?
In that I also had to start to love my body unconditionally-

Re: Bodywork Compliments Yoga Beautifully!

http://SunShinesOnYoga.gaia.com — Tue, 04 Nov 2008 16:15:11 GMT

I had a student who was healing from cancer tell me he came to class to recieve the loving touch. He said he never gets touch at any other time...

I was suddenly reminded that not everyone has a loving community that expresses, a partner, a good friend or family around. Some people, due to there own trauma, are possibly unable to be a giver thus never recieve in the outside world. I have found that the addition of massage, touch, acknowledgement allows students to open their hearts, to feel, to accept. In the end- YES! for sure becoming more in touch with themselves as they deepen their yoga.

Re: healing trauma in the New Age climate

http://grace2244.gaia.com — Wed, 22 Oct 2008 03:38:03 GMT

This is a beautifull expressed post and so very true. Healing is individual. Eventually it takes the survivor to a spiritual place...but it has to feel safe to go there. Criticizing the healing journey doesn't help anyone. Thank you for knowing that and speaking what many survivors have been afraid to express themselves.

Reading your post, I felt angry both as a therapist and a survivor that others would believe imposing their beliefs would be helpful. I am very happy to be among people who express these kinds of views. Very heartwarming.

Grace

Restore Healing Event

http://abnormallynormalwebseries.gaia.com — Fri, 05 Sep 2008 19:16:14 GMT

I just wanted to share with you an event that I think many of you would love to attend. It's called Restore Healing and is happening on the 5th of October from 10-6 pm at the Aveda Institute in Minneapolis, MN. Restore - Healing the Mind, Body and Spirit is a day-long event designed to engage the community to experience holistic healing in a brand new way. Explore holistic healing concepts and practices such as energy work, massage, acupuncture, herbology, and aromatherapy from our healing mentors, speakers and sponsors. The link to the site is http://restorehealing.com/.

I, Julie Rappaport, will be attending this event and speaking as well. I combine the use of Chinese medicine/philosophy, Ayurvedic/Yogic principles, Shamanistic practices and artistic techniques that gives participants an opportunity to learn from their lives/health and create positive potential. If you could post the event on your group calendar that would be wonderful. I would really love to meet your members and hope to see you there!

Blessings, Jules

Yoga for Eating Disorders and PTSD

Thu, 21 Aug 2008 17:13:09 GMT

I've been talking with some people about the use of yoga in treatment of eating disorders and PTSD.

Does anyone have any personal experience or other specific info to share on how yoga interacts with these particular situations?

Thank you! =)

Re: Emotions in the Body...

Thu, 21 Aug 2008 17:10:44 GMT

Someone above said: "I was in my head for so many years. Yoga brought me into my body for the first time."

And that really sums up a lot of what yoga has done for me. It has been a very powerful part of my psychological healing process. It's made an amazing difference in my anxiety, depression, and OCD!!

Re: healing trauma in the New Age climate

http://salima.gaia.com — Thu, 21 Aug 2008 01:26:18 GMT

i've been away from my computer for a few days but thank everyone for their insights.....crouching tiger, i am off to check out your post on z4!

Re: healing trauma in the New Age climate

http://julianwalkeryoga.gaia.com — Tue, 19 Aug 2008 22:59:07 GMT

yay! so happy the pod is coming back to life.

important reflections all 'round..

Re: The Psyche Lives in the Body

Tue, 19 Aug 2008 12:54:55 GMT

Hello Julian and all,
I just joined this pod when I found it on a comment someone left on a blog that linked to a thread here. I have been doing Jungian analysis for about 18 months and have felt so many times how much is locked into my body. I very much appreciate this information and the exploring of this Julian. Ive been drawn to yoga and found on retreat that poses allowed me to release some things that I didnt even know I was holding. I am fascinated by this work and want to experience more. The portion where you talk about when the person is ready so resonated deeply with me right now where I am in my process. I am feeling ready to move more into this bodily releasing and would appreciate your giving me some ideas on where to start. I am an avid reader so will continue to weave my way through this pod as the sharings here are wonderful and so rich and ripe with wisdom and new ideas and things for me. THank you for this pod and to all for your deep sharing.
Blessings
Julia

Re: healing trauma in the New Age climate

http://lifeluvver.gaia.com — Sun, 10 Aug 2008 20:08:46 GMT

Thanx for this lucid, heartfelt and downright sensible posting Daate.....

I would like to add to this that another way of overcoming trauma can be found in Relational Psychoanalysis which is mostly a talking therapy but one in which the therapist seeks to relate to the client through empathic transactions specifically slanted towards melting hardcore shame....

I agree with all you say regarding the effect of trauma...indeed one who cannot either fight or take flight will implode...the nature of this implosion, experienced from within, is to hate oneself, a directing of the anger inwards into self-deprecatory narratives which reinforce and hold stable the damaged intrapsychic structure in an attempt to retain continuity of what remains of their self-sense.....further to and related to this is the sense of shame....shame as John Bradshaw writes, differs from guilt in that guilt takes the form of "I have done something wrong" ...and there can be atonement for this, something one can undertake and move healthily on from......shame takes the belief "I am wrong"....the young child is being hurt and seeks in vain for the cause of this 'punishment '..."what have I done wrong??"....and finding nothing, concludes that s/he must be wrong.....herein is the outside perspective of the mental, pranic and physical bodies contracting into, respectively, self-limiting narrative-beliefs, nadi blockage and muscular tension.....release any of these and the others will uncoil...sometimes in catharsis but not always: I have personally experienced a grounding, new-and-stable pranic flow and inner sense of wellbeing through various experiences, somatic and transactional.....

Relational psychoanalysis can facilitate healing from trauma in itself....better to involve a somatic element and facilitate the process from a broad-spectrum approach....

And, yeah, I have spent many a session decontaminating that New Age pap from the unwary..it's a miracle of physis on the part of such a client that they even get to my door in the first place.

Warmly, Jon (Relational Transactional Analyst and British Wheel of Yoga Registered Teacher).

Thanx for this thread.

Re: healing trauma in the New Age climate

http://objuan.gaia.com — Sun, 10 Aug 2008 19:42:28 GMT

excellent. I'm always so happy when I see people out there questioning the new age paradigm. there is no central leader or figure or even well laid out belief system to pin anyone to. So...it's safe. AND...noone is really responsible! It's really an interesting trap.

But NOT for those susceptible to its claims of quick and easy fixes. It's not just interesting, but also painful. I'm also finding that there are others out there who are seeing that this apparently harmless fad is NOT harmless.

Our beliefs lead directly to the lives we lead. Castles built of straw fall. We must be built of sturdy material. And the 'open minded' folks of the new age movement are asking us to throw away 2 milenia worth of lessons from Christianity. So...NOW we have nonsense without a central authority and figure. Works for all those who don't want to be told what to do or what is real, but to create it for themsleves.

I think it is always important to remember that reality should be constructed responsibly. To be careful and do no harm to those around us.

anyhow, thanks for the post. and will have to check out your page on SE!

clyde

Re: The Psyche Lives in the Body

http://julianwalkeryoga.gaia.com — Sat, 26 Jul 2008 23:11:20 GMT

hi everyone - especially new members!

welcome...

click here have a look at my new video about my bodywork!

let me know what you think...

namaste
~julian

Re: healing trauma in the New Age climate

Thu, 10 Jul 2008 17:25:55 GMT

What a wonderful posting... Thank you.

Re: Bodywork Compliments Yoga Beautifully!

http://nurturingtouchsf.gaia.com — Wed, 04 Jun 2008 20:59:36 GMT

Yoga compliments bodywork beautifully. I love to do assisted child pose with clients before I turn them over, and pigeon pose and happy baby too. Yummy. . .

Re: The Psyche Lives in the Body

http://julianwalkeryoga.gaia.com — Sun, 04 May 2008 01:49:50 GMT

nicely said deepam!

i was in pune at the ashraam in '94 - amazing place!