Somatic Training takes recent graduate to new heights

I had an email from Melanie a few days ago with a simple message about the impact the somatic training has had on her:  "I did the hot air balloon!!! There was no fear. I wanted to be scared, like I felt I needed to be, but it wasn't there anymore. An amazing experience, I would never have even dreamed of being able to do in the past." I emailed Melanie and asked her for more details and if she'd minded writing something for the blog along with some photos. This is what she sent to me. (shared with permission) I just thought I would share part of my journey since starting this course. Heights and escalators were a big thing for me. I would be worrying about the escalators at the station before I began any journey. I didn’t know what all the sensations meant or what was happening in my nervous system. I just knew it felt like too much to cope with. I’d get anxious and irritated, and often changed my plans to avoid them. If someone was with me, they would need to place their hand on my back to stop my feeling of falling.

With this course, and with the somatic therapist who supported me alongside it, I learned so much about myself to the point where I could catch my thoughts, imagine a protector by my side (which turned out to be me), and hold the hand of the inner child who held all those fears. I started slowly by walking round the local shopping centre, leaning over the edges of the glass banisters, holding this little child's hand, letting her know that I had her. I noticed the sensations and learned to separate the fear. We were safe. Then I began using escalators, noticing what was happening in my body. As I practiced, I was able to sit with the sensations more, aware of my own space and could offer my nervous system a different experience. And then this happened…

Never in a million years did I think I would go up in a hot air balloon. As I walked towards it, my head wanted to be scared. It kept saying, “It’s going to kick in now.” But my body didn’t react. No way would I have been smiling in that first photo, waiting to go up. Before, I would have still been in the truck saying, “I can’t do it,” locked up and frozen. My nervous system was slightly activated, but I now see that as excitement. What an amazing experience! I even put my arm over the edge and took photos. I felt so loose, so bubbly, so big. When I got out of the balloon I jumped in the air and cried tear of happiness and pride.

Before, I would have been in a total freeze, down in the corner, crying and wanting to lash out if anyone touched me. Not this time. It was amazing. I felt so free. Free as a woman floating in a balloon! I even asked the pilot how long it takes to get a license!! Melanie Healy - 2025 Graduate CPCAB Level 5: Working Somatically with Trauma in Therapeutic Practice