Emotions are "stored in the body"

I've been reading some old posts today that have made me think I got TMS all wrong from the beginning...
When I would hear that phrase I would think that emotions like shame and guilt from past events were literally stuck in my body somehow and if I didn't go back and resolve my feelings and make sense of everything, that I would never be free of TMS.
Now I'm starting to think that what people mean when they say this is that stressful events, traumas etc. can impact the way both your body and mind function, things become unbalanced... your mind starts to create even more thoughts and behaviours as a protective mechanism which are ultimately unhelpful... and the cycle continues. But the cycle needs to broken NOW, not somewhere in the past.

 

Excellent analysis, @Miller! I really like the way you explained it - and I also agree with you, 100%. As many people point out, Dr. Sarno himself said that we don't need to go on an archeological expedition into our past events. The focus really is on acknowledging our current emotional state and behavior and breaking the power that our fearful primitive brains have over our ability to live in the present.

 

Do you

Do you have any thoughts about Peter Levine's Healing Trauma book? I just bought it. I don't know much about it. Wondering if anyone on the forum has an opinion.

 

Peter Levine used to be mentioned here more often a few years ago. I think that his work in trauma was groundbreaking and totally fits with TMS theory, and he's an excellent writer. Well worth reading IMO.

 

Hi Jeather, I haven't read Peter's book, but I have taken to his TRE exercises and I do them every couple of days. The first time is a bit scarey, but I've learned to relax and allow my body to do as it wishes. I try for an almost meditative state, repeating "let go" or "trust'.
But a word of warning. Do it alone with the curtains drawn as it appears as a cross between The Exorcist and a severe medical reaction. If you hear an ambulance, it is because someone was looking through your curtains. I like to lay quietly after and observe whatever thoughts come. cheers, marls

 

!!!

 

I appreciate your thoughts. I’ve been reading more about the TRE. I can see why you described it as you did lol. Did you have a therapist you worked with for these exercises, or did you incorporate them yourself? Some websites say to have a professional guiding you, and sure that’s ideal, but it’s not always an option. I think there is much that we can do on our own to heal.

 

I live rural Jeather and there is limited therapy of any specialised nature, so I’ve done the exercises alone. I don’t even bother with the pre-exercise exercises I just dive right in (after doing the curtains of course).

 

I have done a TRE workshop and honestly most of it was the lady explaining the origins of stress and how TRE exercises have helped people round the world. More of a sales pitch I guess. The key thing she taught was to let your body do it's thing without being scared. The workshop was definitely useful, but I reckon they say you need a practitioner because they want to make money... if it's a natural bodily process and something all animals do to shake of stress... why would we need supervising?!

 

@Marls @Miller @Jeather
I had never hear of TRE exercise until I stumbled across this thread. Tried it today for the first time using Youtube guidance. Very interesting, will try this more

 

Was there a particular video you used? I’ve been studying about it but have a busy household and haven’t managed to actually try it. I’m glad you tried it! I think a part of me worries that it just won’t work for me... which is maybe why I “found the time” yet.

 

Not really, looked at several. Got the shaking going well in my calfs etc when doing the sitting pose against the wall and the standing bend. Had more issue with the resting on my back hip push/thrust thing. Will try that more some other day.

I´m just going into it with a curious attitude, not with aim to fix anything. Outcome independence. I felt quite relaxed in some muscles afterwards. But so far I´m a noob so have to try more...

 

I appreciate your openness in sharing your experience!! Gotta start somewhere.

 

@Jeather Today I´m having some serious muscles soreness from fatiguing my muscles so much in the exercises haha.

 

Ah, but that can be a good soreness... I watched a video showing the various exercises, and I’m not sure I can do some of them. Still getting the courage to try. Best wishes to you.

 

love his work. the father of somatic experiencing psychotherapy.