Aquatic bodywork has the potential to integrate well with some of the new energetic and somatic modalities known to help heal trauma. Experienced aquatic bodyworkers, comfortable with the concept of free flow, are very likely to come across the phenomena of spontaneous movements in the water.
Some of the forms this spontaneous movement takes may be an indication of past trauma. These body memories buried under circumstances that were not safe and long-since suppressed by the mind, may rise to the surface as the body is supported and moved in the unique ways that water allows.
Diane Tegtmeier and Inika Spence, based at Harbin Hot Springs in Northern California, have studied trauma and bodywork and are collaborating in relating this to aquatic bodywork practice. They have already presented workshops introducing a 'Trauma Healing in Water' program for aquatic bodyworkers.
Earlier this year, one of the participants on this initial course had a very challenging personal experience which led her to write the account below. To protect her privacy, it is presented anonymously but the writer will follow any discussions that develop here and share her further insights as appropriate.
Her experience is important for a number of reasons:
- it highlights skills that can be gained from aquatic bodywork (at least Watsu-based) with regards to supporting body movements associated with trauma release
- it hints at the potential of aquatic bodywork to facilitate stress release after a land-based traumatic episode (and where no contraindicated injury is involved)
- it suggests sharing this knowledge in some way in the training of medical or other personnel likely to witness various kinds of trauma
- it calls for recognition of our humanity and our natural instincts of healing and connection, which many who experience aquatic bodywork will know to be a significant part of this method's value.
Trauma and PTSD
In recent years, there has been increasing recognition of the physical and psychological effects of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)*, an anxiety disorder that can occur after someone has been through a traumatic event.
A number of different treatment modalities have arisen out of this, and in some the importance of physical release (spontaneous or facilitated) is included. Notable people working in this field are Peter Levine, author of Waking the Tiger: Healing Trauma, and David Berceli, creator of Trauma Releasing Exercises.
It is important to recognize that there are different kinds of trauma: some are based in psychological shock, while others arise primarily from physical injury (such as a blow to the head) or physiological damage (such as ingestion of harmful substances).
All these may show similar symptoms in terms of how they affect a person's vital signs, and, where that effect is life threatening, emergency medical intervention is essential. However, non-life-threatening trauma is not necessarily helped by immediate intervention.
Emotional and physical support are helpful, but this doesn’t have to come from a medical team. The human organism has very healthy ways to initially cope with trauma; temporary denial, for example, is one of them. If helpers rush in to address a non-life-threatening trauma that the person hasn’t begun to deal with yet, it can inhibit the normal healing mechanism.
PTSD is a disorder that appears after a period of time following a precipitating event, which is different from the trauma itself. The ability to forestall or moderate PTSD, or less debilitating manifestations of shock stress, would be valuable. Diane and Inika distinguish big 'T' and little 't' but note that working with the latter is still beneficial to the individual.
There is a need for more awareness of the links between physiology and psychology in trauma; this is the mind-body connection that most alternative healers and some in conventional medicine acknowledge. Further studies examining the differences between cognitive and somatic trauma approaches, the nervous system’s role in trauma, the role of memory in trauma, and the effects of trauma beyond 'mental health, will contribute much to this field.
Considering trauma from an aquatic healing perspective
The responses of the nurses and other hospital staff was very interesting. I think that because of my years of training in the water with people as an aquatic bodyworker, I have become so comfortable with dramatic movement and emotional release that it was second nature to respond to my daughter's responses to the hallucinations with ease. I found that it felt so necessary to let her carry out the movements that she seemed to so intensely need at the moment (keeping her safe from hurting herself or anyone else of course). The nurses, however, had an entirely different response.
If she got up on her knees, for example, the response was to call in more help, try and force her to lie down; if she didn't, either threaten to use restraints or give her shots of sedatives, or both. It reminded me of hospital childbirth, which fortunately I did not have to go through (I had my 2 children at home and was allowed to move freely), but have witnessed with friends' births and on videos . It makes me wonder if the staff were acting out of their own fear or following standard medical procedure? Do they do this mostly for liability? Or are they just simply afraid of natural human movement, and are most of us exposed to this fear by our culture?
I learned a beautiful technique for working with trauma from Inika and Diane in their aquatic trauma healing class. Learning to allow spontaneous movement and let emotional release happen and transform itself is very powerful and would be so incredible if this could be taught to hospital personnel in all settings.
There is often a lack of human connection in some medical settings that is disturbing. Another interesting phenomenon during this incident was that the nurses and doctors paid more attention to the equipment monitoring my daughter's vital signs than to her! After about 6 hours in the emergency room they released her medically, meaning they would no longer monitor her physical condition, based on these machines' output (even though her 'condition' was much worse than when she came in: she now could not see well, could not hear, could not speak without slurring, had no idea where she was...).
They had a social worker come in to determine if my daughter needed any psychiatric treatment, and after she tried to talk to her was able to convince the doctors that she was not medically stable. Work in the water allows such an intimate connection with people. The more I work with people in the water, the more these harsh contrasts to human connection become apparent.
This is a story with a hopeful ending... my daughter is home now, doing OK, and learned a lot from her 'journey'. I am thankful she is alive and as with all things in my life am thankful for this opportunity to learn, among other things, about transcending fear on all levels.
Obviously a situation like this was first and foremost one of saving a life in a land-based crisis. Diane Tegtmeier notes that it is important to be clear that there are times when 'movement and release' are not appropriate. However, the state of 'being present', 'holding a safe space', 'unconditional love', whatever description you relate to, is possible in every situation. The healing power of that connection is something that aquatic bodywork very often enables quite naturally and easily for both giver and receiver.
Inika Spence notes that not all aquatic practitioners are able to access or facilitate this level of trust. This may be because if they have not experienced it themselves, or because they are unable to separate their own needs from those of the person they are assisting. Some have an agenda for movement (following only the routine they were taught) that does not allow them to recognize or support spontaneous physical release when that occurs. This suggests that basic training in trauma work could be helpful in all aquatic bodywork programs.
Inika adds that some people with PTSD will allow their body to move only when they feel safe with a particular practitioner. However, the opposite is true also - when there is so much pent up energy to be expressed, it doesn't matter who is there. If the aquatic practitioner lacks the experience or training to be present and hold the space, and perhaps becomes afraid themselves, additional wounding can result. Old trauma may be deeply hidden, and it is not always possible for a receiver or practitioner to anticipate it's release.
Working in the water with people who have suffered trauma
There are some important guidelines and specific techniques for working in the water with people who have suffered trauma. These help to avoid further traumatization or re-wounding, and they also protect the aquatic practitioner who may inadvertently be influenced by the other person's trauma. Quality of movement is important too; where neurological damage may be involved, it is crucial not to over-energize someone's system, causing a scattering of energy rather than a release of energy, for example.
These methods are part of the 'Trauma Healing in Water' training program that Diane and Inika teach to experienced aquatic bodyworkers who have developed sufficient sensitivity and personal clarity to know when to apply them. Below is a summary of some of the key points provided by Diane, and covered in more depth in their program. To be effectively applied, a full understanding through training is recommended. They are given here to illustrate the depth of practice possible.
For more on 'Trauma Healing in Water' training, please see the contact information at the end of the article.
1. The importance of containment and centering The aquatic practitioner attending the person going through a traumatic release must be centered and able to contain her own emotional process. A person in release is permeable to, and also projectile of, energy. Just blasting traumatic energy into the pool without providing a conduit for it's transformation provides only short-term relief.
[In the situation above, it seems likely that the parent and aquatic practitioner drew upon the strong center she developed in childbirth to help her stay centered during her daughter's ordeal.]
2. More on containment With training and practice an aquatic practitioner can know when it's time to contain the movement, slow it down, or even resist it a little. This is important for several reasons. A person going through trauma can literally get lost in it. A therapist thinking 'he's got to move', can over-amp their partner's neurological and energy system to move more energy than can be handled by the person in release.
3. Pendulation An aquatic practitioner can watch and listen to the body of her partner in release and sense when it is time to shift the movement and awareness of her partner out of the trauma and into safe, healing space. This often happens automatically when both are present to what's being released. Deeper levels of the trauma may then be accessed by shifting between releasing and resourcing (quieter periods of integration).
4. Support resistance In their need to help someone release, an aquatic practitioner may try to move someone through something not yet ready to release. Resistance contains a wealth of information for the receiver. Bringing her awareness to the strong and supportive energy of resistance can be an invaluable part of the healing process. Pacing is always important in the healing process.
5. Asking for support and guidance It is important that an aquatic practitioner develop the ability to actively invite support, for example by calling on the spirit of a supportive friend or teacher or a spirit guide. This reminds us, as aquatic healing facilitators, that we need never be alone in these processes. Even if you are able to stay centered in the heat of the moment, there may be need for support and for your own healing work after a session.
In conclusion, the power of aquatic bodywork to both reveal and resolve certain kinds of trauma is well-known to experienced aquatic practitioners. The ability to work with this safely has been somewhat haphazard, depending as much on instinctive skills (or honest recognition of lack of skill) on the part of individual aquatic practitioners. Further discussion of this topic, the sharing of experiences such as the one given here, and the incorporation of these into an aquatic training program can only be valuable.
You are welcome to comment below or to email Sulis or the other three contributors directly. The discussion will also continue in a Group 'Aquatic Healing for Trauma' on The Aquatic Therapists Network for members there.
Further information
Diane Tegtmeier practices aquatic bodywork drawing upon the modalities of Watsu, Healing Dance, WaterDance and Energy Work to co-create a unique healing experience in every session. She also teaches Aquatic Energy Work, Healing Trauma in Water, and Trust in Touch (a new approach to ethics). Prior to doing bodywork, Diane worked as a hospital social worker and in private practice working with people suffering from trauma.
Inika Spence works with a combination of Healing Dance, Watsu, WaterDance, Cranial Sacral, Energy Work, and whatever intuition comes in the moment. She helped develop and teaches Healing Dance and also teaches Trauma Healing in the Water, Aquatic Contact Dance, and Couples work in the water. Inika is a very experienced and compassionate practitioner.
The aquatic therapist who inspired this post is herself an experienced Watsu practitioner in private practice who also works with disabled clients at a community therapy pool. Her commitment to her work, passion for knowledge and insight, and courageous self-honesty are exemplary.
Sara Firman (aka Sulis) is the author of this weblog on aquatic bodywork, is a practitioner herself, and is committed to sharing information on the value of this healing and artful modality.
Trauma Healing in Water Training
The developers of this program, Diane and Inika, offer a two-day introduction on how aquatic bodywork integrates with energetic and somatic modalities to heal trauma. The ongoing course program will be about working with PTSD but also working on personal traumas in order to provide the best container for others to heal.
They write: 'Trauma from natural disasters, war and violence flashes across the newswaves daily. In our sessions we hold those who, through abuse or neglect, carry old wounds of trauma. Healing trauma is not only the healing work of our time, but the portal to transforming the life diminishing effects of fear that pervade our human family. Healing trauma is peace work.'
- Peter Levine's organization, Foundation for Human Enrichment, is a non-profit, educational and research organization dedicated to the worldwide healing and prevention of trauma. They provide professional training in Somatic Experiencing® .
- David Berceli's Trauma Releasing Exercises are an innovative body-based recovery method for large-scale populations that are easily learned and provide rapid relief from trauma symptoms without the need for counseling (helpful where many people are involved).
- Energy psychology addresses the relationship of energy systems to emotion, cognition, behavior and health. The Association for Comprehensive Energy Psychology provides educational materials, conferences and a humanitarian committee that travels to disaster areas for trauma relief.
* More about PTSD from the website of The National Center for PTSD:
Post-traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) can occur after a traumatic event. A traumatic event is something frightening that someone sees or that happens to them. During this type of event, they think that their life or others' lives are in danger. They may feel afraid or that they have no control over what is happening.
Anyone who has gone through a life-threatening event can develop PTSD. These events can include: combat or military exposure; child sexual or physical abuse; terrorist attacks; sexual or physical assault; serious accidents; and natural disasters.
After the event, they may feel scared, confused, or angry. If these feelings don't go away or they get worse, the person may have PTSD. These symptoms may disrupt their life, making it hard to continue with daily activities. Dealing with the past can be hard, and someone with PTSD may keep their feelings bottled up.
Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) is cited as the most effective type of counseling for PTSD. Also mentioned are EMDR, or eye movement desensitization and reprocessing, and medications such selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI), which is also used for depression.
The aquatic work being developed here will hopefully make a valuable and much-needed additional contribution to helping trauma survivors.
Update (June 2010)
See New treatments for trauma: a review with special reference to aquatics
