I had read Paul Conti's book first (refer to previous blog post) and then I was still searching and found Bessel van der Kolk
https://www.besselvanderkolk.com
The Body Keeps The Score
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bessel_van_der_Kolk
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Body_Keeps_the_Score
I watched some YouTube videos of Bessel van der Kolk then decided to buy his book and I am glad I did.
The biggest impression for me was how he started out as a young psychiatrist and thought he would solve the worlds problems!
He soon found out that this was not possible. He prescribed medications and then found out why people were not taken them. He searched for ways to assist people to overcome their trauma and didn't just stay in the old way that was already set in place.
This book gave me an understanding of the connection between what happened in the past and the possible outcomes/symptoms in the present.
I started attending yoga classes shortly after finishing this book and can only say: it is good to be fitter. I am not a gym bunny and yoga is more my thing. I felt like I could walk easier, for starters. When I swim I can move my arms easier. I was able to swim and walk beforehand but now it is easier.
In Chapter 16: Learning to inhabit your Body: Yoga - I read and quote: “A good yoga teacher will encourage you to just notice any tension while timing what you feel with the flow of your breath. “We’ll be holding this position for ten breaths.” This helps you anticipate the end of discomfort and strengthens your capacity to deal with physical and emotional distress. Awareness that all experience is transitory changes your perspective on yourself.”
I have stopped eating so much. Do you realise what it is like trying to do yoga with a full belly? It is like trying to shift an extra body around. I have lost six kilos as I post this. I still have belly fat but I think ? I've lost 'visceral fat'. My legs are stronger, but I still have a way to go. Some yoga can be quiet and relaxing and others are more like doing a work out. I'm more flexible.
In chapter 17: Putting the pieces together: Self-Leadership, I read and quote: “But most survivors, including those who are functioning well - even brilliantly - in some aspects of their lives, face another, even greater challenge ….”
This last quote is very true I think. How often have I talked about something in therapy or with friends and then return to it later on! Feelings of 'just going over and over the same old shit' But, maybe we have not really solved it or dealt with it. Bessel addresses some of this in the book and videos. Maybe we are in denial about our trauma/abuse and its affects! Thinking that because we have a good life that all is well but in the end maybe we would function better if we did deal with the trauma or even just understanding how it affects our bodies or brains. Or, maybe we have a shit life and want it better but keep hitting a wall and 'just maybe' we are held back by a trauma in the past. My own feeling was that we can be traumatised and we survive it, BUT, if we have another 'something' then we can be overloaded and then it is adding layer upon layer.
Bessell van der Kolk: Overcome Trauma With Yoga :
You will find quite a few videos on YouTube from Bessel van der Kolk.
An example: Bessel van der Kolk on Understanding Trauma :
I have attached a photo of the contents from my book: 2015 copyright
![The body keeps the score.jpeg]( "The body keeps the score.jpeg")
![IMG_8997.JPG]( "IMG_8997.JPG")
![IMG_8998.JPG]( "IMG_8998.JPG")
https://www.besselvanderkolk.com
The Body Keeps The Score
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bessel_van_der_Kolk
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Body_Keeps_the_Score
I watched some YouTube videos of Bessel van der Kolk then decided to buy his book and I am glad I did.
The biggest impression for me was how he started out as a young psychiatrist and thought he would solve the worlds problems!
He soon found out that this was not possible. He prescribed medications and then found out why people were not taken them. He searched for ways to assist people to overcome their trauma and didn't just stay in the old way that was already set in place.
This book gave me an understanding of the connection between what happened in the past and the possible outcomes/symptoms in the present.
I started attending yoga classes shortly after finishing this book and can only say: it is good to be fitter. I am not a gym bunny and yoga is more my thing. I felt like I could walk easier, for starters. When I swim I can move my arms easier. I was able to swim and walk beforehand but now it is easier.
In Chapter 16: Learning to inhabit your Body: Yoga - I read and quote: “A good yoga teacher will encourage you to just notice any tension while timing what you feel with the flow of your breath. “We’ll be holding this position for ten breaths.” This helps you anticipate the end of discomfort and strengthens your capacity to deal with physical and emotional distress. Awareness that all experience is transitory changes your perspective on yourself.”
I have stopped eating so much. Do you realise what it is like trying to do yoga with a full belly? It is like trying to shift an extra body around. I have lost six kilos as I post this. I still have belly fat but I think ? I've lost 'visceral fat'. My legs are stronger, but I still have a way to go. Some yoga can be quiet and relaxing and others are more like doing a work out. I'm more flexible.
In chapter 17: Putting the pieces together: Self-Leadership, I read and quote: “But most survivors, including those who are functioning well - even brilliantly - in some aspects of their lives, face another, even greater challenge ….”
This last quote is very true I think. How often have I talked about something in therapy or with friends and then return to it later on! Feelings of 'just going over and over the same old shit' But, maybe we have not really solved it or dealt with it. Bessel addresses some of this in the book and videos. Maybe we are in denial about our trauma/abuse and its affects! Thinking that because we have a good life that all is well but in the end maybe we would function better if we did deal with the trauma or even just understanding how it affects our bodies or brains. Or, maybe we have a shit life and want it better but keep hitting a wall and 'just maybe' we are held back by a trauma in the past. My own feeling was that we can be traumatised and we survive it, BUT, if we have another 'something' then we can be overloaded and then it is adding layer upon layer.
Bessell van der Kolk: Overcome Trauma With Yoga :
You will find quite a few videos on YouTube from Bessel van der Kolk.
An example: Bessel van der Kolk on Understanding Trauma :
I have attached a photo of the contents from my book: 2015 copyright
