Unlocking Emotional Release: A Somatic Tool to Release Anger
By Tanya Master
Imagine having a tool that not only liberates pent-up anger and tension but also empowers your personal boundaries, safeguarding your emotional well-being. In this article, we'll embark on a transformative journey to unearth the power of somatic healing. Drawing inspiration from the pioneering work of Dr. Peter Levine, the luminary of the somatic experiencing world, we delve deep into the essence of expressing healthy aggression as a catalyst for greater awareness and psychosomatic discharge.
Personal Experience and Coaching Work with Anger Release
My personal experience with somatic healing and the exploration of healthy aggression has been deeply enlightening. Like many, I've faced the challenge of struggling to express or release anger and assert boundaries. These struggles often manifest as a result of these 'darker' emotions being denied or discouraged expression in early childhood, and in adulthood, this suppression can lead to physical and mental discomfort and even chronic pain, all rooted in the accumulation of unprocessed, stagnant emotions.
Through my own growth and healing journey, I've discovered the profound potential of embodiment techniques. Today, as a certified trauma-informed coach, I am fervently dedicated to supporting my coaching clients on their unique paths of transformation and transcendence, particularly those who have encountered trauma and grapple with boundary issues.
My coaching approach incorporates these embodiment practices, enabling individuals to tap into the intricate connection between their bodies and minds. It transcends traditional talk therapy by actively involving the body in the healing process.
Understanding the Somatic Approach
Dr. Peter Levine, a pioneer of somatic experiencing, developed the approach we'll be exploring in this article. This embodiment tool focuses on the connection between unreleased anger and tension in the jaw, offering a unique way to express healthy aggression, rage, and frustration by processing and integrating these emotions through the body rather than just discussing them as would be done so in a more traditional talk-therapy format. This mind-body connection is essential for our overall well-being. It allows for the illumination of our shadow aspects and this embodiment exercise unabashedly invites our primal, animal selves to emerge.
The Importance of Self-Awareness
During the exercise, it's crucial to pay attention to your body's responses and your own sense of safety and comfort. Listen to what your body is telling you and stay within your comfort zone. Some might find it easy, while others might struggle, and that's perfectly okay. The goal is not to achieve anything, or do it the 'right way'; instead, it's aimed at cultivating greater self-awareness and understanding your own mind-body connection.
The Exercise: A Step-by-Step Guide
Prepare Your Space: Find a quiet and comfortable place where you won't be disturbed. Ensure you feel safe and relaxed.
Get Seated: Sit in a chair, on a couch, or on the ground, wherever you feel most comfortable. Take a moment to notice and acknowledge the support of the seat beneath you. Feel how it holds and grounds you.
Begin with Breath: Start by taking a big, deep breath in. Allow the breath to fill your belly and then your chest. Feel your chest and abdomen expanding as you inhale.
Exhale with Sound: As you exhale, make a 'voo' sound, channeling air from your belly and allowing the vocalisation from the mouth. This 'voo' should be a low, growling sound, almost animalistic in nature. Open your mouth slightly to let the sound out.
Incremental Jaw Opening: Here's what's important to note through this exercise. As you exhale with the 'voo' sound, incrementally open your jaw and mouth, allowing the vocalisation to get louder and louder. Pay close attention to any resistance in your jaw. Open your mouth only as far as you can do so comfortably, without strain or tension to any region of the jaw.
Notice Tension: As you continue to make the 'voo' sound and open your jaw, you'll likely encounter points where tension or resistance arises. When you notice this tension, stop and allow your jaw to close slightly, coming back to a space that is tolerable and comfortable.
Gradual Expansion: Begin again, gradually opening your jaw a bit more. Repeat this process, noticing each point where tension appears and adjusting accordingly. The goal is not to push beyond your comfort zone but to be aware of where your tension lies.
Repetition: Keep repeating this process, incrementally opening your jaw, making the 'voo' sound, and stopping when you feel tension. It's a gradual exploration of your jaw's range of motion and the release of emotional expression.
Self-Reflection: As you perform this exercise, take note of what you're feeling. Pay attention to any physical sensations, thoughts, or emotions that arise during the exercise. Every individual's experience may be different.
Stay Within Your Comfort Zone: Remember, the purpose of this exercise is to increase your awareness of the mind-body connection. There's no need to push yourself beyond what feels comfortable. It's about recognising your own boundaries.
An Invitation to Explore Further
This somatic tool, inspired by Dr. Peter Levine's groundbreaking work, is designed to bring awareness to the connection between your emotions, thoughts, and bodily sensations and to help you release pent-up emotions that might be causing discomfort. If you found this exercise challenging, that's okay; it's all about recognising your limits.
If you're interested in exploring the space of embodiment work further and with more depth, I invite you to connect with me. I'm dedicated to guiding you on your unique path to a more balanced and empowered life. Don't hesitate to reach out and start your transformation today.
Resources
Levine, Peter A., PhD. "Healing Trauma: Working with Somatic Wounds." 10-hour master workshop hosted by The Embody Lab, Retrieved Live on Zoom.
About Tanya Master
Tanya is a certified Integrative Coach specialising in Psychodynamic Coaching, Somatic Parts Work Integration, and Somatic Trauma Therapy. With a profound commitment to guiding individuals through transformation and healing, Tanya helps break free from limiting beliefs, heal emotional wounds, and rediscover the essence of the spirit. Drawing on her lived experiences rooted in the complexities of migration, displacement and personal identity exploration, she fosters deeply reflective connections, providing a safe, supportive environment for clients to navigate transformative journeys.
Meet Tanya and learn more about somatic healing on The Embody Lab’s Therapist Directory.
If you’re interested in understanding more about how somatic practices can help you, consider working with a Somatic Therapist or Practitioner. The Embody Lab’s Somatic Therapist and Practitioner Directory can help you find the right practitioner to support your journey towards more self-compassion, connection, and authenticity. Explore our directory and find the support you need.
