Natalie Gutierrez, LMSW (She/Her)
In my own experience healing from trauma and being a survivor of Domestic Violence, I found myself feeling extremely disconnected from myself and my body, even years after the trauma. In doing my own healing work and journey, I learned a lot about trauma and the mind/body connection, and how trauma creates a separation between the two. A lot of trauma survivors may struggle to feel present, may feel disconnected to their bodies, may feel dysregulated or hypervigilant, and may experience difficulty with connecting with others and feeling isolated.
Somatic work, exercise, movement and mindfulness, often helps with re-establishing that connection back to self, and one’s body. These practices encourage being present, feeling grounded, and a sense of calmness that allows for healing of dysregulation and constant hypervigilance that trauma survivors and immigrant women may feel. Unfortunately, many wellness classes such as Pilates, Yoga, Sound Bath and Meditations, can often be very expensive and inaccessible to the communities that need them the most. Through this project, we hope to help in bridging the gaps to make wellness, movement resources and classes more accessible for trauma survivors and immigrant women.
Release Wellness NYC is a 501(c)(3) survivor-led non-profit organization led by passionate Women of Color and Trauma-Informed Professionals. Release will aim to offer these classes free of cost to the community, and in Spanish as well to serve the diverse needs of the immigrant community. Release is for survivors, led by survivors. I look forward to bringing this mission to life and supporting survivors and immigrant women.
