More than just relaxation, exercises like these keep me aware.
I ignored the connection between my mental and physical health. Somatic therapy is helping me tread a new path. For the past few months, I couldn’t figure out why I felt unwell. I suffered from headaches, nausea, and extreme fatigue. No matter how much I slept, I still felt tired. Most days, I wouldn’t even leave my cell. Some of it stemmed from recent changes in my life. Last September, I was transferred to a new facility after the prison I was in shut down. I went from productive days, college classes and facilitating health awareness programs, to lying down and spending too much time in front of the TV. Sometimes I’d get a spark and work on an article. Since December, I’ve had six published. Still, I wasn’t celebrating those moments the way I should. I needed to find an active solution to my problems. A couple of months ago, I was talking to my best friend on the phone. After explaining my struggles, she immediately quipped back: “You need somatic therapy. I think it would help.” I had heard of it before but never felt interested enough to look deeper. Not long after, I received a book in the mail called The Somatic Therapy by Cher Hampton. Before the prologue, a quote by Gabriela Ucros Amft resonated with me: “Somatic therapy helps you to start living in the present moment and stop reenacting the traumatic experiences that are keeping you stuck.” It felt like the book was talking directly to me. As I read further, I began to uncover the source of my lethargy. Somatic therapy focuses on rebuilding the connection between mind and body. This was what I had been missing for a long time. My self-deprecation wasn’t only affecting me mentally, my body was paying the price. Since incorporating somatic therapy into my daily life, I’ve noticed a change. Recently, I tried an exercise with my best friend during another phone call. We settled into our bodies, cleared our minds, and let out a loud, prolonged “voooo.” It sent calming sensations throughout my body. More than just relaxation, exercises like these keep me aware. Aware of the importance of cultivating a healthy connection between mind and body, especially while incarcerated. Although I still have much to learn, I’m confident somatic therapy will remain an integral tool in my self-rehabilitation. Hopefully, in the future, I can share this knowledge with others who are struggling. After all, it’s our job to lift each other up, no matter how heavy the burden.
