From Freeze To Flow
From Freeze to Flow: Releasing Emotional Tension in the Body after Trauma
Trauma doesn’t just live in our minds – it’s stored in our bodies. Survivors of PTSD or relational trauma often feel trapped in survival states, unable to fully move into recovery.
The dorsal vagal system, which governs the freeze response, locks us into states of emotional tension, disconnecting us from safety and connection. Even when the rational mind knows it’s time to let go, the body and primitive brain say, “No, it’s not safe yet!”
This disconnect explains why trauma survivors often feel stuck. PTSD roots itself in the body as a memory of physical harm, while relational trauma encodes deep subconscious beliefs like, “Never trust again”. The body’s tension – tight shoulders, clenched abdomen, shallow breathing – reflects these protective mechanisms, signaling that the nervous system is still on high alert.
Dr. Peter A Levine, founder of Somatic Experiencing, revolutionized trauma treatment by showing how the key to recovery lies in the body, not just the mind. Levine spent decades studying animals in the wild, noting that prey animals experience life-threatening events but rarely develop PTSD. Why? They instinctively release tension through shaking, vocalizing, and movement immediately after danger passes.
Humans, however, suppress these natural impulses due to social conditioning, locking traumatic energy into the body. Levine explains, “Trauma is about the loss of connection – to ourselves, to our bodies, to others, and to the world around us. This loss is often too great to comprehend. But healing can begin by restoring these connections.” His groundbreaking insight: healing requires completing the fight-or-flight response that was interrupted by trauma.
From Survival to Connection: A Somatic Experience
One of Levine’s clients – a car accident survivor – couldn’t shake the memory of their crash, despite years of talk therapy. Levine noticed the client’s leg twitching subtly while recounting the event. Instead of stopping it, he encouraged the movement, guiding the client to “run” in place as though escaping the crash. Tears flowed as the client completed the survival energy their body had frozen during the accident. For the first time, the client reported feeling calm and grounded.
Techniques to release tension include:
1. Somatic Inquiry: Notice where the body feels tense. Gently place a hand on that area and ask, “What are you protecting me from?” Acknowledge the answer, no matter how subtle.
2. Mindful Movement: Practices like Tai Chi, yoga, or deliberate shaking allow the body to discharge pent-up survival energy.
3. Safe Visualizations: Create a mental refuge, a peaceful space you can return to when overwhelmed, training your nervous system to associate relaxation with safety.
By addressing the body’s tension, we shift the nervous system from survival to connection, making joy and trust possible again.