By Beth Dayo

Do you have a scar? Does the skin feel thicker, look different, feel less sensitive or just different? Trauma has this same effect beneath the surface. The word trauma’s origins are Greek and literally mean wound. The problem with a trauma wound is we can’t bandage or cast it in order for it to heal properly. Left unaddressed, the "scar tissue" from trauma manifests in chronic physical tension, lack of mobility, and dull or exaggerated sensation.

Before you scroll, thinking you haven’t been through trauma. Trauma is universal. We all experience it in some form, whether big or small. School and work cause trauma by encouraging us to override our body’s natural signals. Society causes trauma in the constant messaging that we are not good enough and we should mold ourselves into someone other than who we are. These minor but repeated traumas may seem inconsequential, but over time, they compromise our body’s ability to function and communicate effectively.

Then there are obvious traumas, like abuse, accidents, loss, divorce. 

The signs of your trauma are staring you down everyday and just like the trauma that caused them, you’re ignoring them and coping with them, because you have no idea that they can heal. Some common ones are back pain, headaches, jaw tension, anxiety, and ruminating thoughts. They are all signs pointing to our need for more authentic living. 

So how do we remedy these wounds we cannot see? 

We must begin to learn embodiment: living fully in our body. The body holds the wisdom and signals we need to navigate life authentically. It tells us when to rest, move, or even change course. Without embodiment we live in habitual, patterned ways that are far less fulfilling and enjoyable than most of us would like our life to be. 

Reconnecting with your body under experienced guidance goes beyond simply alleviating symptoms; it expands your capacity by creating space where rigidity and density have taken hold, enabling you to live with greater clarity, balance, and authenticity. Embodiment is both the practice and the reward. “The end cannot justify the means, for the simple and obvious reason that the means employed determine the nature of the ends produced.” Aldous Huxley 

There is only one step, taken again and again! Are you ready to begin?

For 13 years, Beth Dayo has taught movement and meditation to hundreds of West Seattleites. She invites you to start with the Saturday 9am Embodiment focused class to begin unwinding your trauma patterns through movement and awareness practices. Visit www.bendnmove.com/class-schedule