Trauma isn’t just something we think about—it lives in the body, often manifesting as tension, discomfort, or numbness. Beneath every thought and emotion lies a layer of physical sensation—the foundation of the human experience. This is where the concept of the felt sense becomes transformative.
Coined by Eugene Gendlin and explored deeply by Peter Levine in Waking the Tiger, the felt sense is a dynamic awareness of bodily sensations that reflect our inner world. For me, this awareness began to emerge during my yoga practice. At first, yoga seemed purely physical—a way to build strength and flexibility. But as I stayed with it, I realized it connected me to sensations beneath my thoughts and emotions, opening a doorway to deeper healing.
One of the most profound lessons I’ve learned is this: whenever we observe a sensation and are able to stay with it, that sensation inevitably changes. Its direction is almost always toward greater ease, a freer flow of energy. The body has an innate intelligence—a capacity to move toward balance when given the space and attention it needs.
Yoga provides this space, allowing us to tune into the body’s subtle messages. Through this awareness, we uncover the body’s wisdom and find a path to healing and balance.
Gendlin, Eugene T.Focusing. Bantam Books, 1982.
This book introduces the concept of the felt sense and offers practical methods for tuning into bodily sensations.
Levine, Peter A.Waking the Tiger: Healing Trauma. North Atlantic Books, 1997.
A foundational text on trauma healing, exploring how bodily sensations play a role in resolving trauma.
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