I want to share the exercise I received from my somatic experiencing therapist.
Somatic Experiencing is based on the work of Peter Levine, who is a well respected pioneer in the field of trauma.
This exercise builds resilience: defined here as the ability to return to well being with ease.
This is an important aspect of healing as we must feel the sensations that once overwhelmed us to overcome trauma and its important to recognize that resilience and emotional strength are not just traits, but skills that one can practice and develop. As you build your capacity for resilience youâll find that overwhelming situations become less overwhelming over time and you will be able to compassionately feel your feelings rather than being forced to abandon yourself because they are overwhelming.
It is best done when one is grounded and comfortable. There are a few exercises that help in getting there, but I will post them after the main exercise so we can examine the main exercise and see what we can add to our field.
I would like you guys to try it if you have some time and report how you feel afterward.
The main exercise is called Titrating Sensations (Moving your attention slowly back and forth)
Titrating sensations (turning your attention back and forth)
Like an old grandfather clock, with its pendulum that swings back and forth, you can turn your attention slowly back and forth between sensations. Start by feeling some pleasant or comfortable sensation in your body. Feel it for a while, and then turn your attention to some place in your body that feels uncomfortable or unpleasant. Notice how this uncomfortable place feels. Is it constricted or tight or painful? Notice if itâs hot or cold. Can you tell if the energy in that discomfort is moving at a fast pace or a slow pace. Remember, thereâs no right or wrong. Youâre just getting to know a bit more about whatâs going on in your body.
Now, once again, turn your attention to the pleasant or comfortable sensation. Spend a while there, exploring how it feels this time. Is it different than it was? How so? Has it expanded? Is it moving?
And again, turn your attention back to the unpleasant sensation. See if itâs different this time. Donât expect it to be gone, but do see if itâs changed â even a little bit. Feel into it. Has the constriction expanded, or the pacing slowed down, or the temperature become more comfortable? Has it moved? Does it feel better than it did before, or is it more uncomfortable? Or is it the same as it was? Just notice and feel. Youâre just exploring.
As you titrate (turn your attention slowly back and forth), you may find that the unpleasant sensations calm down and become more neutral. As their unpleasantness passes, feel the change, slowly and softly. Be curious to see what happens next. Just be the witness ⌠thereâs nothing else for you to do. Sometimes, if you take your time, you may find that the sensations begin to feel pleasant, even the neutral ones, and that you find that youâre feeling more relaxed and grounded. You may even feel some well-being.
Titration is a valuable tool. Use it often, and it becomes easy and natural. It has important side effects, for it builds the skill of resiliency, which is your ability to return to well-being with ease.
The exercises for getting comfortable are as follows:
Grounding:
Imagine your body as a tree with roots growing deep into the earth beneath your feet. Your legs and torso are the strong and stable trunk of the tree, and your shoulders, arms and fingers are the flexible branches and leaves. As you visualize the strength and stability of your roots and trunk, feel the stability and strength coming up through your legs and body. Take your time. Then imagine a strong wind blowing through your branches and leaves. Notice that, just like the well-rooted tree, you can sway and bend without losing your balance. Now think about your life. Remember, when bitter winds are blowing, you can sway and bend, and yet remain balanced and well-rooted, just like our tree. You donât have to lose your inner strength and stability. Practice this exercise often. Take your time and enjoy the feelings. Then use it as emotional first aid, when you feel upset.
Calming the body:
Sitting down, hold your arms comfortably out in front of you, at shoulder level, with the palms of your hands facing down. Feel the warm soft air under your palms. Slowly, push the air down, all the way down, till you can rest your palms on your thighs. Turn your attention to your torso and wait to see what happens inside. After a moment, you may feel a calm coming into your chest and belly. The sensation may be like thick oil slowly moving down through the center of your torso, and gently filling up your belly. Take your time and enjoy the feeling.
Tracking sensations:
Learn to pay attention to the sensations in your body. You will see that your thoughts, emotions, actions and reactions, and even things you imagine, stimulate sensations in your body. When you feel these sensations with awareness, you increase your ability to relax, feel grounded and calm, and think clearly.
Take a guided tour of your body, and feel your different sensations. Take your time and enjoy the sensations.
Slowly scan your body, to notice what is showing up (expansion or constriction, warmth or cold, tingling, numbness, etc.), just noticing and not changing anything. Thereâs no right or wrong here. The intention is simply to become aware of whatâs happening. See if you can feel these sensations, from inside your body.
As an example, notice how your feet feel from the inside â are they warm or cool? Light or heavy, tingling or pulsing? Do they hurt or feel comfortable? Do your two feet feel the same or different from each other? Remember to take your time.
Then move your attention slowly up your legs â to your calves, your knees, your thighs. Pause often to feel the sensations.
Notice your hands, arms, shoulders, feeling them from the inside, taking your time, pausing often to experience the sensations.
Notice the sensations in other areas of your body â your chest, your belly, your back, etc. Do they feel comfortable - pleasant, uncomfortable, or neutral? Neutral is a feeling, too. Spend time to get to know how neutral feels.