
THE EMBODY LAB BLOG
Interested in writing for us? Submit your work here.
Cross-Generational Trauma and Personality: The Interplay of Genetics, Epigenetics, and Healing
Trauma does not exist in isolation. It is carried through generations, shaping not just individuals but entire families and cultures. At the Healing Through Somatic Attachment 2025 Summit, renowned psychiatrist and author Dr. Dan Siegel delivered a compelling session on Cross-Generational Trauma and Personality: How Overwhelming Experiences, Genetics, and Epigenetic Inheritance Shape Who We Are and Who We Can Become. Read about it here….
Somatic Tools for Healing Anxiety in Relationships: A Practice of Connection with Kai Cheng Thom
Explore somatic tools for healing relationship anxiety with Kai Cheng Thom. Through her unique blend of somatics, attachment theory, and social justice, Kai will invite you to explore relationship anxiety through the body, uncovering ways to shift out of cycles of distress and into deeper connection. According to Kai, anxiety can be understood as the body’s innate sense of danger - our nervous system’s way of alerting us, whether or not an actual threat is present. Read more….
Healing Through Inner Relationship Focusing: A Somatic Approach with Ann Weiser Cornell
In this article, Ann Weiser Cornell explores Inner Relationship Focusing as a tool of healing. Ann, who has taught IRF for over 35 years, describes this method as “a somatic practice that puts the body at the center of emotional healing.” The technique, rooted in the pioneering research of Eugene Gendlin, offers a revolutionary way of understanding emotional wounds, attachment trauma, and the process of self-healing.
Taming Your Nervous System: A Journey of Healing and Self-Discovery
Most of us think of our nervous system as something that just happens in the background. But it's actually the conductor of your entire life experience. Every feeling, memory, and reaction is filtered through this incredible biological system. Think about it like this: When you remember a delicious meal, it's not just a mental image. Your body responds with mouth-watering sensations, perhaps even a warmth in your stomach. That's your nervous system in action! It's constantly communicating with you through physical and emotional signals.
Understanding and Healing Core Relational Wounds: With Dr. Diane Poole Heller and Dr. Scott Lyons
When it comes to healing our deepest relational wounds, understanding how they show up in our bodies is just as important as understanding how they exist in our minds. In the recent Relationship Summit, Attachment Expert Dr. Diane Poole Heller and Somatic Psychologist Dr. Scott Lyons shared valuable insights on how early relationships shape our nervous systems and how we can start healing today.
Beyond Love: A Somatic Approach to Building Lasting Relationships
When we think about successful relationships, we often focus on love, chemistry, and emotional connection. But according to relationship expert Dr. Stan Tatkin, these elements alone aren't enough to create lasting partnerships. Instead, he suggests something both simpler and more challenging: treating relationships as a carefully designed system built on mutual agreements and body-based awareness.
Healing Trauma with EMDR and Parts Work: A Holistic Approach to Emotional Wellness
Imagine a therapy approach that doesn't just talk about your trauma, but helps your brain actually process and heal from painful experiences. Welcome to the powerful world of EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) combined with Parts Work – a revolutionary method for understanding and healing your inner landscape. EMDR is like a gentle reset button for your brain's traumatic memories. Using bilateral stimulation (typically side-to-side eye movements), this therapy helps your brain reprocess difficult experiences, transforming how traumatic memories are stored. Think of it as helping your brain file away painful memories in a way that doesn't keep triggering you.
Somatic CBT Certificate: A Multi-Disciplinary Approach to Healing
Our intention with the Somatic CBT Certificate program is to tap into our shared purpose to help heal ourselves and others while sharing the skills and tools to make that a reality. We’ll begin by recognizing our behaviors, tuning into our bodies, and exploring the relational dynamics and beliefs that shape those behaviors. Together, we’ll learn to embody these holistic experiences and apply them effectively in our lives. Learn more about this transformative program…
Polyvagal Theory: Addressing the Physiological Roots of Physical and Mental Health
Polyvagal theory locates the nervous system within the individual (as well as within a social context) and helps to explain how and why our nervous systems interact in order to communicate cues of safety and connection, allowing us to feel understood in the presence of others. It also highlights how our nervous systems detect disconnection, sensing danger in our environment or from those around us. Learn more about Polyvagal Theory and the roots of health with Dr. Arielle Schwartz...
Outrunning Powerlessness: A Discussion with Nkem Ndefo
Trauma can simply be defined as too much, too fast, or too little for too long. It is a universal and unifying experience of being human. Nkem says "Trauma is a universal and unifying experience of being human, yet, we don’t always have the best understanding of it.”
Q&A with Dr. Arielle Schwartz: Movement Integration - A Journey of Healing and Empowerment
In a recent session led by renowned psychologist and somatic healing expert, Dr. Arielle Schwartz, participants had the opportunity to experience an enriching movement integration exercise followed by an interactive Q&A session.
Session Notes: Dr. Arielle Schwartz Explains Trauma Healing and Somatic Practices from a Polyvagal Perspective
In the world of trauma recovery, innovative approaches that merge different disciplines hold immense potential. A notable example is the integration of Applied Polyvagal Theory with yoga principles. Join us in reflection of our recent conversation with Dr. Arielle Schwartz, a renowned somatics expert, as she shares insights on the polyvagal perspective and its implications for trauma healing and somatic practices.
Q&A with Dr. Arielle Schwartz: Exploring Applied Polyvagal Theory and Yoga Principles for Trauma Recovery
By understanding the crucial role of the vagus nerve in establishing balance within the autonomic nervous system and tapping into the mind-body connection through yoga, we can embark on a transformative journey toward healing.
Navigating the Impact of Trauma Porn (Part 3): Unveiling the Path to Resilience and Liberation
Healing from trauma is a profound and intricate process that extends far beyond mere catharsis or storytelling. It involves re-patterning our experiences and transforming how we hold them.
Unveiling the Impact of Trauma Porn (Part 2): The Power of Narrative and the Dangers of Exploitation
Understanding the dynamics of trauma and its consequences is crucial, especially when it comes to the narratives we share and consume.
Unveiling the Impact of Trauma Porn (Part 1): Nurturing Resilience Amidst Stress and Trauma
Navigating stress and trauma requires self-awareness, trauma-informed approaches, and a critical examination of the damaging effects of trauma porn. By prioritizing healing and acquiring new resources, individuals can embark on a journey of recovery and resilience.
Embodied Conflict Resolution - A Somatic Approach to Processing Conflict
The physical experiences of conflict are often overlooked but can be incredibly painful and stress-inducing. Working with the bodily responses that can come up during conflict allows us to access a deeper perspective around processing the conflict in a healthy way.
The Art of Somatic Coaching with Richard Strozzi-Heckler
We recently caught up with Richard Strozzi-Heckler during his Master Class on The Art of Somatic Coaching. Here’s what he had to say about developing one’s skills as a somatic coach.
What Advice Would You Offer to Someone Starting Out Their Coaching Journey?
We recently caught up with the some of the faculty from our Mind-Body Coaching Certificate and asked them what advice they would offer to someone starting out their coaching journey.
Find out what they had to say….
The Body as a Domain
We recently caught up with Richard Strozzi-Heckler during our One-Day Summit. Here’s what he had to say about the body as a domain of action, learning, and dignity.