A language universally understood

Henriette Lamprecht - Research has shown body and mind to be intimately connected. The internal systems that process emotions such as hormones, the nervous system and the immune system are in constant interplay with what happens to the mind happens to the body, and vice versa.

Everything from the romantic partners you choose right down to how you perform at work can be impacted by your trauma, and so often we’re living life through a highly distorted lens, explains Melissa Mukwai, amongst others a mindfulness instructor and trained facilitator.

“This means we are often very far removed from the real wants and needs of our authentic self which is why we often feel so unfulfilled.”

It was her journey with meditation that would also lead Melissa to the introduction of dance as a way to release trauma.

It is common to feel hot or cold flushes or to shake (like animals do), but a few years ago she started noticing an incredible urge to start dancing every time she would get off the mat.

Though she had no formal dance training, her body began to twist itself into the “most beautiful shapes and sequences”.

Upon travelling to Asia, she was delighted to learn this was quite common and many modern healing modalities had been formed around this kind of movement. Shortly after she completed her teacher training.

“Of all the many modalities I’ve been exposed to, this is by far one of my favourites. It weaves together so many powerful tools and techniques (coaching, sound healing, mindful movement, somatic release, dance). It is fun, incredibly accessible, builds fitness and resiliency, gets us out of our stories and the results are apparent from the very first time.”

On a personal note one of the most humbling aspects was just how many of her self-sabotaging behaviours were really just her unresolved traumas in action.

“Really understanding and experiencing this work has made me develop so much compassion for myself and everyone else while I continue to increase my ability to be more and more me.”

Sound, movement and authentic expression are some of the most powerful tools for by-passing the conscious mind and releasing the accumulated stressors that unconsciously cripple us, says Melissa.

“Dance has been used as a tool for expression and deep release across countless cultures throughout history. Any technique that reduces stress and de-excites a constantly aroused nervous system is a good idea, but dance has some very unique benefits that’s responsible for its huge popularity on the wellness circuit.”

Unlike some talk-based therapies, there is less emphasis on needing to directly recall or re-live a distressing experience.

Everyone has some degree of trauma and dance is a language that is universally used and understood, says Melissa.

“The modality invites people into body-mind states that support release without necessarily having to engage with a particular story, although this of course has its own potential benefits too.”

Classes can be fun, interactive and supportive and completely disregard the idea you are there because there’s “something wrong with you”.

It encourages movement, health and fitness and can be done by “absolutely anyone” regardless of age, skill level or range of mobility.

“You can do the whole class lying down if that suits you! Though some sessions can be a bit intense, there’s also huge opportunity for collective healing through authentic expression and joy.”

In this dance modality specific insight-regulation tools and movement are used to help the body complete the response and discharge energy similar to how animals “shake” after a particularly stressful event, she explains.

Though a single session can have deep and lasting effects, this really is one of those things where the more you do it, the more beneficial it will be.

“I don’t recommend doing any effective practice as a once-off because rewiring the brain-body takes time.

I also believe it is a better idea to gently build your capacity over time instead of opting for a single, possibly more intense, experience.”

Melissa would not recommend people doing trauma release through dance at home if they don’t have any prior experience.

“The trauma release process can range from very gentle to really quite powerful. If not understood, frequent major storms can trigger panic and possibly even exacerbate the trauma.”

How a class is structured can also play a huge role in the intensity of the release, but Melissa warns one can never be certain of what might trigger someone.

“In the event a participant does become triggered the facilitator has a range of grounding and pacifying techniques to help regulate or stop the process.”

In-person is also a great way to get feedback on how to integrate the experience so that it continues to bring lasting changes to your life.

Practicing in a supportive group is very enriching but once you have some experience it does become something one can do on their own, says Melissa.

The music and movements depend amongst others on the teacher and the particular objective for the session.

“All classes will involve some intuitive movement but we also go through a semi-structured process to help people detach from their conscious mind.”

Specific music of specific frequencies is used and sequenced in a very specific way, culminating in both an internal and external environment that is conducive for deep healing.

“Unlike normal dance classes that teach all manner of steps, these sessions work with specific body meridian movements create ease, openness, feelings of safety and deep relaxation.

The structured movement lays the foundation for the more intuitive dance while also increasing your range of motion so that ingrained movement habits don’t inhibit your potential for release.”

According to Melissa increasing your ability to process and “let go” is trainable and gets considerably easier with consistent practice over time. She emphasises embodied modalities like these are meant to complement your other treatments and should not be used as a substitute for clinical medical attention, particularly in more severe cases. – [email protected]; [email protected]; www.justbreathenamibia.com