Show notes
“Release your trauma.”It’s become one of the most common promises in the somatic wellness world. But what if trauma isn’t something sitting inside the body waiting to be removed?And what happens when you’ve tried therapy, yoga, breathwork or other wellbeing practices and still don’t feel the change you expected?In Episode 40 of Yoga for Trauma: The Inner Fire of Yoga, Liz interviews Keri Marino, somatic yoga therapist, senior yoga teacher and founder of The Nourished Woman, for a nuanced conversation about somatic yoga for trauma, trauma integration and nervous system regulation.Keri challenges the increasingly popular idea that recovering from trauma requires us to physically “release” something stored inside the body. Instead, she offers a different framework: integration.Rather than trying to remove our past, trauma integration may involve developing a different relationship with our body, nervous system, emotions, choices, relationships and present-day life.And that distinction matters.Because when wellness messaging promises that a particular practice will “release trauma,” people who don't experience the promised result can be left wondering: Why didn't it work for me?In this episode, we explore:What “somatic” actually means — and whether all yoga can be considered somaticWhy intellectual understanding alone may not create a felt connection with the bodyThe difference between top-down and bottom-up approachesFight, flight, freeze and fawn responsesEmbodiment, interoception and proprioceptionWhat the window of tolerance means in trauma-aware practiceWhy Keri prefers trauma integration to the language of “trauma release”Why dramatic cathartic experiences aren't necessarily the goal of trauma-informed yogaThe importance of scope of practice for yoga teachersWhy choice, consent and agency matter in trauma-aware yogaWhat can happen when someone becomes anxious or experiences panic during yogaWhy forcing stillness isn't always appropriate for an activated nervous systemHow gentle movement, breath and chanting may be incorporated before restorative practicesWhat restorative yoga actually is and how it differs from sleepHow to choose a yoga class when previous yoga experiences haven't helpedKeri's experience of religious trauma and reconnecting with spiritualityBhakti yoga, devotion and developing a personal relationship with something greater than ourselvesWhy not all yoga is the same and not every practice is appropriate for every personKeri also shares an experience from earlier in her career when she tried restorative yoga with a client experiencing a panic attack — and why it taught her the importance of meeting the nervous system where it is rather than automatically trying to make someone calm. A key question from this episodePerhaps the question isn't:“How do I get this trauma out of my body?”Perhaps a more useful question is:“How can I develop a safer, more connected relationship with myself now?”That shift from removal to relationship sits at the heart of this conversation.If you've tried yoga before and decided it “didn't work,” Keri also offers an important reminder: not all yoga is the same.The style, pace, environment, teacher, amount of choice you're given and opportunity for genuine rest can all influence your experience.About Keri MarinoKeri Marino is a somatic yoga therapist and senior yoga teacher with 17 years of experience working at the intersection of yoga and women's mental health. She is the founder of The Nourished Woman — a brand devoted to helping women feel wildly whole, free and at home in themselves through the full depth of yoga practice. Keri works with women one-to-one, hosts The Nourished Woman Podcast and leads The Nourished Woman Sanctuary — a devoted monthly membership where women are initiated into the full depth of yoga as a transformational path. She leads workshops and trainings that bring the devotional yogic tradition to the women who need it most. She is based in Greenville, SC and believes yoga is not stress relief — it's liberation. Connect: Instagram Website YoutubeImportant disclaimer: about the words “healing,” “recovery” and “therapeutic”: These terms are used throughout this podcast and accompanying content in a general, educational and experiential sense. They are not intended to imply or guarantee that yoga, yoga therapy, somatic practices or any other practice will diagnose, treat, cure or prevent trauma, PTSD, anxiety or any other medical or mental health condition. Individual experiences and outcomes vary. This content is for general informational and educational purposes and is not a substitute for personalised medical, psychological or other professional healthcare. Please seek advice from an appropriately qualified health professional regarding your individual circumstances.⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Love the show? We’d love a review!Leave us a review on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts.Want to make video and audio editing quicker and simpler? Get 50% off the first 2 months of the Descript Creator Monthly Plan. Instagram: Youtube