Embracing Community and Somatic Practices: A Journey of Empowerment and Connection
In a world where isolation, trauma, and disconnect are prevalent, the importance of community and connection cannot be overstated. Traumas can be isolating, leaving us with a sense of disconnection and fear. However, by embracing community and engaging in self-regulation and somatic practices, we can support our journey, redefine what love means to us, and foster deeper connections with others.
The Power of Community Love
Love in the context of community is a powerful force. It is about creating spaces where people can come together, share their experiences, and offer mutual support. This collective support can be instrumental for self-empowerment and efficacy post-trauma, as it provides a sense of belonging and safety. In a community, we can find people who understand our struggles, validate our experiences, and help us feel less alone.
The Role of Self-Regulation and Somatic Practices
Self-regulation and somatic practices play a crucial role in this process. These practices help us tune into our bodies, recognize our emotional and physical states, and respond to them with care and compassion. Techniques such as mindful breathing, grounding exercises, and mindful movement can help us manage stress, making it easier to engage with others from a place of calm and presence.
Personal Reflection on Healing
Reflecting on my own journey, I realized how vital these practices were in my healing process. After escaping a violent situation and enduring continued threats and danger, I began closing my circles out of survival instinct. My emotional capacity was nonexistent, and I was focused on making sure my family was safe, and our needs were met. Working with therapists, coaches, and practitioners, I began rebuilding my capacity to connect with others.
Last New Year, I felt called to flush out some resolutions for 2023 and found myself scrawling onto paper the words, "In 2023, I will be a strong and well community member." When hearing that resolution, some folks ask if I need to check my grammar when they get to the "well community member" part. What I mean by this is that I prioritize personal work (healing, wellness, anti-oppression learning, etc.) to ensure I am showing up as authentically as possible and committed to not causing harm and repairing when I do, which impacts the people and spaces I hold space with. As a single parent, I sought out many pay-what-you-can group sessions, free webinars, library books, YouTube videos, and blogs by trusted sources.
Practical Examples of Somatic Practices
Grounding exercises were some of the first practices that helped me feel more secure in my body, reducing anxiety and making it easier to connect with others. The practices empowered me to spend much of 2023 digging into and understanding my resolution. What do I mean by "well"? What do I mean by "strong"? And what do I mean by "community member"? This led to stepping even further out of my comfort zone and prioritizing and nurturing connections—being brave enough to accept invitations, offer invitations of my own and lean on trauma-informed principles to guide my choices and interactions.
Redefining Love Through Somatics
Moreover, somatic practices can help us redefine what love means to us (especially if that word and concept have been tarnished by past negative examples and experiences). Love is not just a feeling; it is an action, a commitment to showing up for ourselves and others. By practicing self-regulation, we can learn to love ourselves more deeply, recognize our worth, and treat ourselves with kindness and respect. This self-love then extends outward, allowing us to form more meaningful and compassionate connections with others.
The Challenge and Reward of Healing
The journey to healing and connection through community and somatic practices is not always easy. It requires vulnerability, openness, and a willingness to engage with our own pain. However, the rewards are profound. We can create empowering, supportive, and transformational spaces by starting with love—for ourselves and our communities.
Conclusion
In today’s society, it is essential to prioritize community and connection. Love is the foundation of these connections, and by fostering it within ourselves and our communities, we can create a more compassionate and resilient world. By engaging in self-regulation and somatic practices, we can support our healing journey, connect more deeply with others, and redefine what love means to us.
Be brave and get intentional! <3