Recognition that children's grief lives in their bodies—in fatigue, appetite, tension, movement—and that somatic practices honor what language cannot capture.
Mirabai danced, swayed, and moved her devotion into physicality when words proved insufficient. The Body Holds What Words Cannot teaches that grieving children carry loss in their nervous systems, muscles, and breath. A child may not be able to articulate their grief but may show it through withdrawal, aggression, illness, or clumsiness. Somatic practices—movement, dance, drumming, breath work, safe touch—offer pathways for processing that bypass language. These practices honor the body's wisdom and release grief held in physical tension. For young people, embodied grief work validates that they don't need words to be understood. Running, building, creating with hands, rocking, or yoga become legitimate grief practices. Adults who recognize this can help children move their grief through their bodies rather than expecting them to think or talk their way through it. The body becomes a trusted ally in transformation rather than a problem to manage.
Peri can explain this concept, give practical examples, help you decide whether it applies to your situation, or recommend a journey if appropriate.
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