82 Practising tools and exercises
TO THE TRAINER
PART II : THE TRAINING
Practising tools and exercises
Aim . To learn and practise tools and exercises that will make survivors feel stronger and help them to control their thoughts , body , breathing , feelings and heart .
This section focuses on how to explain and practise specific tools that make survivors feel stronger and help them control their thoughts , body , feelings and heart . The participants will learn their effects by doing the exercises themselves .
For further information , consult Section 4 of Part III ( Communication skills ).
Having pinpointed routes to healing after trauma , and provided motives for learning the tools and techniques , we enter a new and practical phase of the training . The participants will learn a variety of techniques that address different symptoms and experience for themselves how we can use our senses to regulate responses in the body , thoughts , breathing , feelings and heart .
Illustrate the Butterfly Woman ’ s numbness and her responses to the trauma and to her flight by acting out her lethargy and lack of energy . Demonstrate to the group what lack of energy looks like .
Guiding questions
Write the guiding questions down on a flip chart so that the participants can recall them when they practise the next exercise .
• What happens in your body ?
• What happens to your feelings ?
• What happens to your breathing ?
• What happens to your thoughts ?
• What happens in your heart ?
TEACHING INSTRUCTION . DEMONSTRATE ALL THE EXERCISES .
Do all the exercises with the participants . Show them how to do each one , and then let them practise in pairs . Because the Butterfly Woman ’ s story is familiar by now , use it to demonstrate which technique is appropriate for different symptoms .
TEACHING INSTRUCTION .
After this session , take a short break . Let the participants stretch and walk around a little . Before the session starts again , allow time for a grounding and breathing exercise , to get the group back on track .
BREAK 15 – 20 MINUTES .