Do you treasure your body as your most loyal friend?

This is something I had never considered before I experienced my own life-changing journey of trauma recovery and emotional healing.

Ten years ago, I was a busy mom of four. I volunteered a lot of hours at church and worked part-time as a certified Fitness Instructor and Aerobics Program Coordinator at two local universities (BYU & UVU).

My main worry as far as my body was concerned was managing it, and I was a harsh taskmaster. I was focused on staying in shape, maintaining my ideal weight, and performing all the tasks required of me in my various responsibilities.

When I experienced a life-changing trauma in my marriage, my body suddenly seemed to become my enemy. I couldn’t sleep, eat, or even function. I would spin into anxiety and panic attacks and was often completely overwhelmed by emotions I couldn’t control.

During this very difficult time, I slowly learned to develop an entirely different mind-body relationship with my body: a compassionate relationship of listening, honoring, and trusting.

Now, ten years later, I spend my life helping others to experience the same transformational shifts that allowed me to heal in ways I could never have predicted.

In order to change our relationship to our bodies, we have to understand a few basic truths:

• Your body is hard-wired to survive: it constantly reads your surroundings and responds in ways it unconsciously believes will keep you safe – this is your nervous system’s stress response.
• Your body is like a container: it holds every experience, emotion, memory, impression in its tissues and stores it until you give it permission to let go – a process known as somatic release.
• You are not your body. You are not your mind. You are the soul inside who is able to observe your thoughts and emotions and choose which to follow and which to release – the foundation of mindful self-awareness.

Mindfulness practices, embodiment, and guided meditation can help us connect with the soul inside, bringing wisdom, clarity, and compassion to all the thoughts, emotions, and sensations of this holistic human experience.

If you could use a fresh start in your mind-body connection and relationship with your body, we’d love to have you join us at our somatic embodiment classes, where we work out hard, practice restorative yoga, and meditate.

Even coming once per week can make such a difference in how you feel on a daily basis. If you feel curious, come check it out! You’ve got nothing to lose but a lot of self-loathing.

Learn more about the Undone Academy here.

Frequently Asked Questions –

Q1: What is the mind-body connection and why does it matter for trauma recovery?

The mind-body connection refers to how our mental and emotional states directly influence physical health. In trauma recovery, understanding this link helps people recognize how stored stress and unresolved emotions manifest as physical symptoms – and how somatic practices can support healing.

Q2: What are embodiment classes and what can I expect from them?

Embodiment classes combine movement, breathwork, yoga, and meditation to help you reconnect with your physical body in a mindful way. They are designed for people at all fitness levels who want to reduce stress, process emotions, and build a healthier relationship with themselves.

Q3: How does trauma get stored in the body?

Trauma can become “trapped” in the body’s nervous system and muscle tissue as unprocessed emotional memory. Somatic therapies and mindful movement practices help the body safely release this stored tension, reducing symptoms like anxiety, panic attacks, and chronic stress.

Q4: Can yoga and meditation help with anxiety and panic attacks?

Yes. Regular yoga and meditation practice has been shown to calm the nervous system, lower cortisol levels, and improve emotional regulation – all of which reduce the frequency and intensity of anxiety and panic attacks over time.

Q5: How often should I attend embodiment or mindfulness classes to see results?

Even attending once per week can create noticeable shifts in mood, stress levels, and body awareness. Consistency matters more than frequency – showing up regularly, even briefly, builds the mind-body awareness needed for lasting emotional and physical wellbeing.