TRAUMA
"Psychological trauma is an affliction of the powerless. At the moment of trauma, the victim is rendered helpless by overwhelming force.… Traumatic events overwhelm the ordinary systems of care that give people a sense of control, connection, and meaning.… Traumatic events are extraordinary, not because they occur rarely, but rather because they overwhelm the ordinary human adaptations to life.… They confront human beings with the extremities of helplessness and terror, and evoke the responses of catastrophe.… After a traumatic experience, the human system of self-preservation seems to go onto permanent alert, as if the danger might return at any moment.”
Trauma and Recovery: The Aftermath of Violence – from Domestic Abuse to Political Terror
WHAT IS TRAUMA-INFORMED PILATES?
Succinctly, trauma-informed Pilates embraces and reflects the 6 elements that comprise trauma-informed services:
- Safety
- Trust
- Choice + Control
- Collaboration
- Empowerment
- Cultural Relevance
Trauma-Informed Pilates instructors are aware of how survivor sociodemographical characteristics and social perceptions of psychological trauma and certain traumatic events can influence a survivor's adaptation to life post-trauma. These instructors understand that due to the multitude of variables which impact a survivor's reaction to and recovery from trauma, each survivor's needs within the Pilates instructor/survivor relationship are unique.
Trauma-Informed Pilates is a means by which trauma survivors can reestablish a safe relationship with their body. Through the mindfulness of Pilates, survivors begin to note and become empowered by the control they have over how their body moves and feels. Utilizing this emerging physical self-awareness, as catalyzed by their Pilates practice, survivors can begin to develop self-regulation techniques which they then learn how to utilize independent of anyone else but themselves. These are techniques to relax the body-mind and relinquish fear's control over it, allowing the survivor to live in the present moment while beginning to interact with and trust others.
TRAUMA AND PILATES HISTORY
Among Joseph Pilates' first "clients" were bed-ridden, post-World War I soldiers. In its original incarnation, the equipment Joseph Pilates designed was for wounded, traumatized bodies. The "equipment" was the bed of the infirmed, to which Joseph Pilates attached (bed) springs to the bed poles at one end. With the other end of the spring in their hands or around their feet, soldiers took part in resistance training while laying flat in bed. Pilates designed exercises for these men to strengthen their body, but in such a way as to not cause further harm. Pilates knew this opportunity to exercise had benefits beyond physical strength. Stated Pilates: "The mind, when housed within a healthful body, possesses a glorious sense of power."
The Pilates equipment today is supportive to the body, which for many creates both physical and emotional safety. The biofeedback Pilates equipment provides helps bring awareness to the body, an essential component in trauma recovery. Pilates equipment both challenges and bolsters the body. It was designed to empower one at their weakest, and build strength from out of a void. The Pilates Method is innately trauma-informed.
NERVOUS SYSTEM-INFORMED PILATES
A Nervous System-Informed One-on-One Session or Group Class prioritizes regulation of the Autonomic Nervous System: Nervous system-informed considerations include a person-centered approach, cognizant of creating an atmosphere that allows each person to relax extrinsic muscle tension caused by neurological stress and effectively connect with the deeply embedded intrinsic muscles that can atrophy due to chronic stress. This atrophy compromises posture, breathing & heart function, anxiety management, energy, and resilience. Variables such as breath, sound, spinal manipulation, touch, pacing, specific eye and head movements, and grounding techniques will be offered individually to each class participant to awaken lethargy and clear a cluttered mind with an optimized workout.
TRAUMA-INFORMED PILATES FOR SURVIVORS OF SEXUAL TRAUMA
As a survivor of sexual trauma, I welcome and embrace working with other survivors who would like to develop or deepen their physical and mental resilience and empowerment. I am certified in Trauma-Informed Yoga, but Pilates has spoken to me and been an intergral part of my healing process since shortly after I was assaulted. This is what has soothed and centered me, as well as other survivors in the Pilates community, and is therefore primarily what I offer.Survivors can choose to have their one-on-one session either in-studio, in the privacy of their home, or online. Informed by survivor-feedback (verbal, visual, etc), using both mat and equipment-based Pilates as well as complementary modalities, we will most likely prioritize regulation of the Autonomic Nervous System. Lessening the Sympathetic Nervous System's (fight or flight) domination over the body-mind at a deliberate pace allows the survivor to take charge of their choices with clarity, instead of being driven by fear.
In the sessions I am always mindful of the 6 Pilates principles: Centering, Concentration, Control, Precision, Breath, + Flow. [More on these principles and background information on the Pilates method can be found
HERE]. Introduced incrementally, I've found these principles to be conducive to nervous system regulation, survior self-knowledge and empowerment. The attentiveness to the body that grows out of use of these principles subtly builds with continued practice, honoring both a survivor's need to progress with support, not force, and the healing that takes place as we learn to care for our post-trauma body-mind.
Trauma-Informed Locations
I teach private, one-on-one sessions out of a fully equipped North San Diego County Pilates studio in Encinitas.
There is both minimal noise and foot traffic in the space. Often times, we will have the studio to ourselves.
In-home sessions are also available. Props will be provided, no equipment is necessary, though I do request that you obtain a Pilates mat - which is a bit thicker than a Yoga mat.
I also make use of FaceTime and Zoom to work with survivors not closely located. Everyone’s needs are different and some people I coach through a workout and with others we will engage in nervous system regulation techniques that may or may not include Pilates.
Please connect with me directly HERE for a free consultation and pricing information.
Going Beyond Pilates
Based on your immediate needs and long-term goals, I may include TRX Suspension Training, manual myofascial release work as well via Yamuna® Body Rolling, cardiovascular training alternating with restorative work, Yoga, functional movement, self-soothing exercises, meditation (possibly combined with chanting), and use creative props to help ease the body out of maladaptive, compensatory postures and breathing patterns. We may also use music and guided imagery, should either be appropriate. More can be learned about adjunct modalities by clicking the link below.
All exercise, movement, release work, vocal work, etc. are offerings to you. If your body/mind resist, we will work until we find a path that feels comfortable and effective for you. There are a multitude of healing pathways and yours is unique.
Nothing you do, say, or express, and nothing about the way you present yourself in our sessions is ‘wrong.’ What was wrong is what was done to you which you’re now healing from. What is right is your presence in the studio and everything you do therein.
