Has anyone else explored acting and movement such as Qigong to help alleviate the symptoms of C-PTSD? It can help to process anger and alleviate symptoms such as feeling stuck or frozen? Dr. Van der Kolk has talked about this I believe. I think it's referred to as Trauma-Drama.
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In any body-centered modality lies the hope of alleviating symptoms by noticing where shards of trauma are stored in the body... but, it can take time. I recently started practicing (and learning) Qi Gong. It slows me (and my spinning head) down and invites me to connect with the flow, and movement, of my body. I plan to learn medical qi gong as well; with the aim of deepening a practice of self-healing (and that of others). I'd like to give improv another shot; to increase body awareness and expression.
The key things about acting per Bessel Van der Kolk is to ' move in synchrony with others.' That could be dance, tennis, pingpong and a lot of things but theatre and qi gong definitely qualify. I am a CASA and I taught my CASA youth how to play tennis with this in mind... The idea is to rewire that R brain idea that 'others are not safe.' Mutually synchronized/cooperative gross motor activities help change this old fear wiring on an unconscious level.
Laura Haynes Collector posted:The key things about acting per Bessel Van der Kolk is to ' move in synchrony with others.' That could be dance, tennis, pingpong and a lot of things but theatre and qi gong definitely qualify. I am a CASA and I taught my CASA youth how to play tennis with this in mind... The idea is to rewire that R brain idea that 'others are not safe.' Mutually synchronized/cooperative gross motor activities help change this old fear wiring on an unconscious level.
Yes! This synchronized exchange of the ball going back and forth resolved some of the consequences of trauma; things that did not have a chance to develop or resolve as young children during the proper developmental stage, as per ‘The Body Keeps the Score’ book. Kudos for being a CASA and taking such interest in helping your assigned child!!
