The body speaks to us and when we do not listen, it screams louder. Like a child being ignored, our body acts up to get attention. When we stop and listen, we receive memories, insight, emotions and beliefs. This is difficult. It is so hard that as a culture we prefer to numb our body's voice with alcohol, drugs, medications and operations. We do not want to listen. All physical symptoms are connected to some message that the body is trying to offer, a guiding voice and resource.
Creative Expression; painting, drawing, movement or sound, helps to connect us with the body's voice and message. Expressing in this way, moves us through emotions more fluidly and beyond storytelling. When we have space and time to receive the body's message, our physical body begins the healing process. This is somatic healing. This healing may offer a reduction in physical symptoms like; night sweats, irregular periods, pain or tension.
These images are from a session where we were tracking pain in the body. She felt the pain, located it, and then expressed it through the drawings. The second drawing shows how the session progressed.
The practice of mindfulness, paying attention to body sensations without judgement or attachment, helps to begin each session. It is my intention to act as a facilitator to help others to connect with their own internal voice. I offer the space and time to move through emotions and receive new insight and resources. The speaker may make marks on paper with markers, may make sounds with their voice, motions with their hands, or may describe imagery they see in their mind. As they express creatively, the meaning from the body arises. This is the unconscious expressing through physical symptoms.
TEDx video about somatic symptoms, health, and creative expression: http://youtu.be/7tu9nJmr4Xs My interest in the healing power of art and movement has lead me to study Psychosynthesis, Continuum Movement and fluid yoga. I have had the honor of training under John Firman, Ann Gila, Emilie Conrad, Robert Litman, and Angela Farmer. Through this study I am able to help others build internal resources, stress and pain management, physical rehabilitation, a yoga or mindfulness practice, process social conflicts, and heal from trauma.
Scheduling I am available to schedule somatic healing once or twice a month for 1.5 to 2 hour sessions. Suggested donation of $100.00 per session. Complementary initial consultation. Appointments can be made through kathrynrone@yahoo.com
Recommended Reading Chopra, D. (2003) Magical Mind Magical Body. Simon & Schuster.
Bradshaw, J. (1988) Healing the Shame that Binds You. Deerfield Beach: Health Communications.
Firman, J. (1997) The Primal Wound. New York: State University of New York Press.
Halprin, D. (2003) The Expressive Body in Life, Art and Therapy. London: Jessica Kingsley.
Hay, L. (2004) Heal Your Body. Carlsbad: Hay House.
Heider, J. (2005) The Tao of Leadership. Humanics.
Roth, G. (1997) Sweat your Prayers. New York: Putnam.
Shivapremananda, S. (1997) Yoga for Stress Relief. London: Gaia Books.
Umi (2002) The River and the Raven a True Story. Miami Lakes: Diginet.
Wauters, A. (1997) Chakras and their Archetypes. Freedom: The Crossing Press.
Weil, A. (1999) Breathing: The Master key to Self Healing. Sounds True.
