I am going to hop right to it:  “T” is a for “Trauma.”  At least in the context of this blog post.

Lately, the word & topic of trauma has seemed to infuse among the masses – insofar as the terminology and content appears to be more present everywhere we look.  This all thanks to TED talks, psychology & therapy practices constructively representing mental health issues, and more prevalent social activism.  Albeit, trauma of course, is nothing new.  It’s as ancient as anything we’ve come close to knowing as a species.  To secure a baseline definition (though I know there are several equally great options), we can refer to its root concept: “a deeply distressing or disturbing experience.”

Perhaps then, we all have experienced something traumatic at some point, particularly as the above framework does not imply a given timeframe, certain symptomology, or specific circumstance of one’s experience with trauma.  What we know based on a multitude of research is that trauma does not discern across facets of age, socioeconomic status, ability, or intellect.  It can be a situational experience or occur ongoing.  It is generally an overwhelming impact on the nervous system and prohibits our abilities to cope.

As a Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist, I work with survivors of trauma by way of their experiences across some issues like: perinatal and maternal mental health/loss, families of origin, and other interpersonal relationship or abuse histories.  Trained as a systems therapist, clients and I often work together to break down the narrative of their hyperarousal and reactions.  Clients reshape the language of current symptoms from prior experiences, and can begin to fuel more self-compassionate, self-empowering language.  Neither of which I can ever fundamentally give to that person from a professional position.  No, they only truly revise said narrative when they can re-express this language for themselves.

As a Yoga Instructor, I have focused much of my training on the gentler, slower-moving practices of Restorative and Trauma-Sensitive yoga.  These modalities have helped me to create groups that hold space for women and men who seek an opportunity to reclaim their body in a more autonomous way.  By making decisions that are appropriate for them.  They get to be the ones in control – which is the antithesis of trauma.

So how do we redefine ourselves after trauma?

How do we speak to one’s experience with trauma without stigma?

Can we redefine a word which for so many creates a cloud of symptoms such as hypervigilance, shame, doubt, numbness, disconnection?

I can’t answer for you what will feel best.

What I can offer is my own recent interpretation of how I would like to formulate “trauma” for the future.

I believe we need to move away from trying to erase the memory of what happened; my personal deliberations lead me to believe this limits one’s opportunity to work through the trauma while narrowing chances for proper healing.  Because of the work of several pioneers, we understand that some memories of traumatic events are likely reshaped, reworked, or coerced at times (see Perry’s text, The Boy Who was Raised as a Dog).  Thus, working through and feeling safe now does not require the elicitation of a specific memory or exact experience.  Rather, if a someone’s body is responding by way of disassociation or fight/flight with present-day triggers, how can we most effectively cultivate healthier coping skills to help them regulate?

If someone’s identity to trauma has internalized (for so many the word itself on an external bias still is judged, shamed, or stigmatized), how can I support my clients and yoga students in their process of healing if choosing to use the word, without giving in to its former power?

What I will respond with today is an acronym that I created on behalf of my clients, colleagues, friends, and yoga students.  An acronym that may incorporate the vernacular of but still redefine “trauma,” by way of giving survivors a sense of agency.  “T.R.A.U.M.A.” – in collaboration with clients’ responses to techniques and interventions like talk therapy combined with somatic experiences (e.g. Trauma-Sensitive Yoga postures, breathwork, meditation) to extract the negative manifestations and instead claim the power back.  There are so many powerful mind/body modalities which can support our clients.  I hope continued recognition of complex, developmental, and pervasive traumas – and the likelihood of it being experienced by so many – helps us do better work.  Helps us offer better techniques and skills.  Helps us generate better, safer spaces for survivors to grow and to recover post-crisis.  I hope this acronym sits well with you all in shifting the narrative:

Towards Resilience And Understanding with Mindful Action