Understanding Trauma
Photo Credit: VAWnet Understanding Trauma Life often brings us face to face with experiences that leave deep marks on our body, mind, and spirit. Trauma can take many forms - physical abuse, emotional neglect, spiritual or religious exploitation, accidents, natural disasters, or even subtle patterns of emotional manipulation. Each of these experiences can overwhelm us, leaving behind impressions that continue to shape our reactions long after the event has passed. Many times, we understand the patterns of our behaviour. We notice how we overreact, withdraw, or feel anxious. Yet, despite this awareness, the same reactions keep happening. This is often where trauma sits - hidden in the body and nervous system, waiting to be acknowledged and released. When an experience is overwhelming, the body and nervous system may not be able to complete their natural response. Instead of resolving, the energy of that moment gets trapped. Later, it shows up as tension, anxiety, numbness, o...