We now know that simply discussing our issues is not enough; we need to connect with them on a physical level. While verbal release is absolutely valuable, physical release is equally important, if not more so. It’s crucial to let go of what we have been carrying in our bodies — muscles, tissues, our cellular make up, our entire being — for years.
While talking about our experiences and emotions can provide intellectual understanding, true healing also involves embodying and fully experiencing those emotions. It's important to not just stay in our heads, but to allow ourselves to fully feel and process our emotions in a somatic or embodied way. This can involve practices such as yoga, meditation, somatic movement, tissue release, mindfulness, shaking, or engaging in other physical movements that help us connect with our bodies and physical sensations. By balancing intellectual understanding with embodiment, we can move towards a deeper and more complete healing process.
Avoiding the feeling part and relying solely on intellectualizing can result in suppressing our emotions rather than fully experiencing and understanding them.
You might be surprised to learn how many physical ailments stem from an individual's suppressed emotional state. This is why I find it essential to create a safe space for my clients to acknowledge and feel their emotions fully. This involves not only engaging in conversation but also connecting with our bodies and being aware of the physical sensations that accompany our emotions. Yes, sometimes it is uncomfortable which is why many often avoid this part. We were never taught how to manage uncomfortable emotions or sensations and instead found ways to avoid or suppress them all together. It's important to allow ourselves to embrace vulnerability and give ourselves permission to feel, even if it means potentially “falling apart” temporarily. By facing and processing our emotions fully, we give ourselves the opportunity to heal and move forward in a healthier and more authentic way.
So yes, physical release complements verbal processing, but one cannot be fully effective without the other. That's why working with a qualified professional who combines talk therapy with somatic therapies can make a significant difference and might possibly be the piece you’ve been missing along the way. I am proud to have developed my unique method aimed at helping individuals become the best version of themselves through a variety of modalities.
Reach out at any time. You don't have to do this alone.