Recognizing grief as held in the body and creating practices—movement, breath, sound, touch—that allow children to process loss through physical release, not just cognitive work.
Mirabai danced her devotion; grief lives in bodies. Many adults encourage children to "talk it out," but unprocessed grief manifests somatically: tension, illness, behavioral dysregulation, disconnection from body awareness. Embodied grief practices honor that children process differently—some need to move, shake, vocalize, drum, run, cry with their whole bodies. Yoga, dance, martial arts, swimming, even aggressive play can become vehicles for somatic release. Breath work teaches children to regulate their nervous systems when grief overwhelms. Sound—crying, humming, singing—provides physiological release. Touch—hugs, hand-holding, massage—activates parasympathetic calm. These practices aren't alternatives to talking; they're complementary. A child might draw their feelings, then move to music expressing what the drawing shows, then talk about the experience. By legitimizing somatic pathways, we serve children whose grief doesn't fit verbal containers. This approach also honors trauma-informed understanding that grief can dysregulate the nervous system; embodied practices help restore equilibrium.
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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