Tuning In to the Rhythm of Healing
My first job as a young adult out of university found me working for the NYC support office of a Rwandan Youth Village. Yes, you read that right-a Rwandan youth village.
The Agahozo-Shalom Youth Village (ASYV) was founded by visionary Anne Heyman, of blessed memory, as a response to the many Rwandan youth who were left orphaned and vulnerable in the wake of the tragic Rwandan Genocide of 1994.
The village was created to be a place “where tears are dried,” which is what the Kinyarwandan word, “agahozo, '' means, where these youth could live in “peace,” from the hebrew word “shalom.”. Since its inception in 2008, the village has become an oasis of healing, connection, hope and rebuilding; an oasis that is “restoring the rhythm of life,” for those whose life’s rhythm got interrupted or stalled by trauma.
Rhythm might not be the first word that comes to mind when we think of trauma but it is, in fact, a very important one.
In his seminal book, The Body Keeps the Score, trauma specialist, Bessel van der Kolk explains how trauma results in a breakdown in one’s sense of inner coherence and continuity of self.
Trauma interrupts the natural flow of life and development….
….creating a quality of frozenness that can keep its sufferer feeling disconnected from the world, other people, and ultimately, herself.
To this person, there is no sense of order in the world nor in her inner world-there is only chaos and cacophony.
Dr. Bruce Perry and the Power Of Healing
Dr. Bruce Perry teaches about the therapeutic properties of rhythmic activities such as singing, dancing, walking, running and repetitive meditative breathing. As he explains, Patterned, repetitive, rhythmic somatosensory activity… elicits a sensation of safety.”
“Rhythm is regulating.”
When rhythm is co-created together with others, its regulating effects are amplified. Van der Kolk shares how tapping into communal rhythm can be highly impactful in thawing trauma’s frozen footprints. Activities like dancing, theater, drumming, etc., offer co-regulation and the feeling of being a part of and connected to a bigger whole. Poignantly, these activities can also foster a sense of inner rhythm and harmony.
Agahozo-Shalom is “restoring the rhythm of life,” quite literally by incorporating communal rhythm into their weekly schedule.
For example, Village Time, a weekly highlight for many, is when the whole community gathers together in the Village’s amphitheater to watch all kinds of performances by fellow students and staff members, including music, dance, poetry, drama, etc. There are constantly musical and movement workshops sprinkled throughout the weekly schedule. You might say that rhythm is built into their healing curriculum.
In truth, rhythm is a nurturing tool for all humans-not just those suffering from the aftermath of trauma.
In fact, it’s the soundtrack against which we all start our lives. The steady, rhythmic quality of a mother's heartbeat is regulating to her baby in utero. After birth, babies are soothed by being rocked back and forth as this helps them feel calm and regulated. We are hardwired to respond positively to rhythm.
How might you incorporate more rhythm in your life? Or maybe it’s already there and you just need to partake in it more intentionally.
There are so many opportunities to tune into the pulse and pattern of life. It could be singing along to music in the car, listening to the lyrical bird songs outside, tapping your feet (softly) as you wait in a doctor’s office or listening to binaural beats while you work. What about communal prayer at synagogue or church? Perhaps joining a yoga or movement class.
So go ahead, turn up the volume and dance along to the rhythm of life.
And if you’re looking for some one on one support to help you create new habits, I am here for you!
I offer counseling to clients who live in Long island, and therapy to those who live in New York.
Reach out today for your FREE 15 minute consultation.
Sending you gentle wishes.
Until next time,
Xx