I first heard about Bessel van der Kolk on a podcast. (I believe it was On Being with Krista Tippett.) I remember being completely fixated on what I was learning, and immediately jotting down a note to myself to buy the book. I’m so glad I did. As I read it, my jaw probably dropped with the turn of each page. Dr. van der Kolk tells compelling stories about patients he’s worked with over the past several decades - including Vietnam war veterans, people living with PTSD, survivors of domestic abuse, and more. *Trigger Warning* - some of these stories are graphic and truly heartbreaking. Some involve children. Please read with caution.

Even in the twenty-first century, there is still so much we don’t know about our bodies, our brains, and how our past experiences shape our future. Bessel van der Kolk, MD. is a pioneer in trauma research and treatment. He challenges conventional approaches to trauma and describes the benefits of movement, stretching, bodywork, breath, and more. As you can imagine, that was music to my ears!! The findings of Dr. van der Kolk’s research validated and affirmed my role as a movement guide. Of course, I already knew that movement heals - but reading the scientific findings that support this was incredibly empowering.
If you’ve worked with me, or simply read my bio, you know that I am a passionate aficionado (aka nerd) of all things body-related. I also LOVE studying the intersection of brain and body, which is what this revelatory book is all about.
Comments