Trauma is a deeply ingrained, multi-layered wound that can be difficult to heal. Survivors of complex or developmental trauma often struggle with symptoms like anxiety, depression, dissociation, and emotional flashbacks. These symptoms can persist even after years of therapy and personal growth work. One reason for this is that trauma affects not just the mind, but the body as well. Healing from trauma requires not just processing the event itself, but also the body's emotional and physiological response afterward. The response that a person experiences can influence the impact that the trauma has on their mental, emotional, and physical well-being over their lifetime, and can deeply impact their sense of identity as well as their relational attachment style. 

Our response to trauma, as well as everything else, is determined by the nervous system. When we experience a traumatic event, our nervous system is activated in a way that prepares us to either fight, flee, fawn, or freeze. This activation can have both immediate and long-term effects on our physical and mental health.

Our nervous system is responsible for processing and integrating sensory information from our body and the external world, which allows us to have a felt sense of our physical and emotional experiences. This felt sense is an integral part of our embodied consciousness, which refers to the way that our body and mind are intricately interconnected and influence each other in shaping our subjective experience of the world. Trauma can impact our embodied consciousness by disrupting the normal functioning of the nervous system and altering our perception and experience of our body and the world around us.

But this doesn't mean that trauma survivors are doomed to a lifetime of suffering. By working with the body and the felt sense, and understanding how they have been affected by trauma, survivors can heal on a deeper level. Here are a few ways that embodied consciousness can be used to help complex or developmental trauma survivors:

1. 1. Mindful awareness of bodily sensations: One of the ways trauma affects the body is by creating a state of hyperarousal or dissociation. This means that survivors may be unaware of their bodily sensations, or may feel disconnected from them. By practicing mindful awareness of bodily sensations through somatic meditation, survivors can deepen their connection with their bodies and develop a sense of safety and stability. 

2. 2. Regulation of the nervous system: Trauma can cause the nervous system to become dysregulated, which can lead to symptoms like anxiety, panic attacks, hypervigilance, and emotional flashbacks. By learning techniques to regulate the nervous system, such as breathing exercises or yoga, survivors can reduce these symptoms and feel more grounded.

3. 3. Use of movement and expressive arts: The body stores memories of trauma, and these memories can be accessed and released through movement and expressive arts. By engaging in activities like dance, art, or writing, survivors can process their trauma in a nonverbal way and gain a deeper understanding of their experiences.

4. 4. Integration of mind and body: Ultimately, the goal of embodied consciousness is to integrate the mind and body so that they work together as a whole. This means that survivors can begin to feel a sense of wholeness and integration, rather than being fragmented and disconnected. 

Embodied consciousness is a powerful tool for helping complex and developmental trauma survivors heal on a deeper level. By working with the body and understanding how trauma affects it, survivors can gain a greater sense of self-awareness, develop tools for regulating their nervous system, and integrate their mind and body. With time and practice, survivors can move towards a place of healing and wholeness, and find a greater sense of peace and connection in their lives.

If you're struggling with trauma or feeling disconnected from your body or emotions, I encourage you to explore embodied consciousness and see what works for you. Remember, healing is a journey and a practice, and it is never too late to start!