125. The Somatics of Presence, Pleasure & Expansion: Taking Up Space After Trauma

In this episode, I'm exploring the somatics of presence, pleasure, and expansion—and how our experiences can shape the way we physically and energetically move through the world. People who feel confident often take up space naturally. They stand taller and wider, breathe more easily, move with intention, and carry a sense that they have a right to be heard. But for those of us who have experienced trauma, abuse, oppression, shame, or simply learned early on that being visible wasn't safe, taking up space can feel much more complicated. Our bodies adapt to what we experience. We may shrink inward, hold our breath, tighten around the spine, disconnect from our bodies, or develop a more rigid, performative physical presence as a way of communicating that we're strong and protected. These patterns can become so familiar that we stop noticing them. I share some of my own experience with this—from being a deeply embodied reader and artist as a child to discovering somatic practices, yoga, and dance, and eventually experiencing what it felt like to expand into my body and discover that taking up space could actually feel pleasurable. We'll explore what it means to occupy our width—to feel our shoulders, ribcage, hips, and entire physical presence—and how that can connect to belonging, safety, confidence, and our ability to stay connected to ourselves and others. This conversation leads directly into this month's guided meditation, which focuses on physically and energetically reoccupying your width. You can use the meditation as an ongoing practice alongside yoga, breathwork, bodywork, or whatever other practices support your embodiment. I also share more about my new full-color workbook, Pathways to Peace: Regulate Your Nervous System and Transform Your Life, available beginning August 13, as well as my Embodied Relating group, which is now structured in four-week cycles. If you're interested in learning more about somatic and energetic practices, join me for my monthly guided meditations and explore my groups and other offerings.