5 Ways I Heal and Release Trapped Trauma in my Body

Ladies, let's talk about trauma healing because sometimes we end up with a lot of stuck emotional baggage, and it is often a lifelong pursuit for some of us to feel safe and at home in our bodies. Therapy is the first line of defense if you have the privilege to be able to afford it and find someone you vibe with in your area, but the options below are 5 FREE ways for you to kick that trauma to the curb and strut your stuff with a lighter spirit. These are not one-and-done practices; these are all choices for you to try and add to a daily or weekly practice because trauma healing and being embodied require daily work, but just a few minutes a day can have a great impact.

1. Dance it Out

My favorite and easiest way of shaking off negative vibes or a freeze state is by throwing my hands up in the air and shaking what my mama gave me. Turn up your favorite tunes or hit shuffle if you are in decision fatigue; the universe and my guides send me signs through shuffle all the time, which I love. I often choose the female vocal groups Mamuse or Beautiful Chorus stations on Pandora for these sessions because it combines sisterhood and spirituality, two of my favorite things. Let your body sway and feel sexy, or stomp and feel angry, pretend you are a ballerina to feel light and free, whatever your body needs in that moment, let it come up and out of you. Release that pent-up tension with any phrases that come to you, repeat them and let them inform your movement. It could be "I am alive" that you repeat if you are stuck in depression or freeze. It could be "I miss you" if you have grief in your body that is begging to be released. It could be "I am in my body" if you feel disassociated or "I love myself and my life" if victimhood has visited. Hoot and Holler, kick your feet, slap your ass, cheer yourself on like it's an Olympic sport. Move through your whole home while you do it to clear and cleanse your space as well. Windows open for some fresh early morning air is also something I include in this ritual, sorry neighbors! Maybe one day I'll be brave enough to film myself to show y'all an example, but I think you get the picture. Plus, check out Sah D Simone's insta https://www.instagram.com/sahdsimone/ if you need some visual examples of the level of freedom in the mind and body I am talking about. Get to some dirty dancing, ladies, audience of none.

2. Yoga for the Win

Unroll that yoga mat and strike a pose, girl! Yoga combines breath, movement, and mindfulness to help you connect with your body on a deeper level. Poses like child's pose or pigeon pose can target areas where trauma likes to hide, helping you release and let go of the past. But honestly, just stretching every day will help if you aren't already. Google or YouTube yoga for trauma healing... there are CHOICES, pick what you are first drawn to, turn it off if you don't like it and find one you do. Don't force anything that doesn't feel good to you or shocks your system because when it comes to healing trauma, being radically kind and accepting of ourselves and our limits is the only way through. My reiki teacher has some great kundalini yoga practices on her YouTube channel if you don't know where to start, try there. https://www.youtube.com/@VentureWithEleonore/videos

3. Scream Therapy

Ever felt like screaming your lungs out? Well, listen to the wisdom of your body and do it! Find a pillow, go for a drive, and just scream. Let it all out! Scream therapy can be surprisingly cathartic and a great way to release pent-up anger, frustration, or sadness. Sometimes I scream like an opera singer on steroids, sometimes one good blood-curdling scream like I'm in a bad horror flick is all I need, sometimes I scream with the rage of the warrior goddess Kali. If screaming is too far of a stretch, try singing your anger as loud as you can. Alanis is my diva of choice when I want to sing out my rage. Not going to lie to you though, this often makes me cry as well, because once you move the anger, the sadness that is usually under anger wants a turn to be released as well. This is great for kids to do too.

4. Self Pleasure

Let's talk about self-pleasure, or as most folks call it, masturbation. It's totally normal and something many of us do to feel good. Whether it's to de-stress, get to know our bodies better, or spice up your sex lives, self-pleasure can be a fun and healthy way to explore your sexuality. It can boost your mood, help you relax, and connect you more with your body. How you choose to pleasure yourself is entirely up to you. There's no right or wrong way to do it. Toys, pillows, hands, anything that vibrates. I intentionally use the energy created with orgasm to cleanse and energize my chakras and central channel. I can see and feel the energy rise up through my whole body dissolving any areas of energetic stagnation. I will often then allow myself to fall into a deep meditation or self-reiki practice. It allows for a release of excess energy in order to then fall into the calm and reap the benefits of both arousal and relaxation. It is such a healing message to send to a trauma-filled body. If you aren't energetically sexual like me, no loss, the physical ride is plenty of input for your nervous system to register safety. If you are not able to orgasm or self-pleasure is painful, consider seeking out a pelvic floor therapist or sexological bodyworker in your area. Pleasure is a birthright of your body; if she can't experience it, honor her by getting help.

5. Meditation Magic

Integrating a daily meditation routine into my life has been transformative for my mental well-being. The impact it has had on my overall health surpasses any other method I have tried. There are great free apps out there that like Insight Timer that make it super easy to find a style that resonates and works for you.

Like with yoga, if a particular style doesn't resonate with you, simply switch to another until you discover the one that truly enhances your sense of inner peace and emotional stability. Not everyone is naturally inclined to sit still and meditate in a traditional sense, and that's perfectly fine. Mindfulness can be integrated into various daily activities such as cleaning, eating, or showering, turning these routine tasks into opportunities for meditation and self-reflection. If you struggle staying awake during meditation sessions, practices like Yoga Nidra can be incredibly beneficial. This form of meditation encourages a state of deep relaxation that can sometimes lead to drifting off, which is perfectly acceptable as it indicates that the body is in need of rest and rejuvenation. By exploring different meditation techniques and approaches, you can find a method that aligns with your unique body, mind and soul.

So, there you have it, friends – 5 playful and holistic ways to heal and release trapped trauma in your body. Remember, healing is a journey, be kind to yourself, embrace the process, and tell that inner critic to kiss it.