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From Surviving to Thriving: The Healing Symphony of Defense Mechanisms and Sub-Personalities

Mar 28, 2024
Nisarga

Greetings to all fellow seekers of healing and self-discovery,

In the world of breathwork and trauma work, the core of therapeutic practice lies in the creation of a sacred space for the client—a space where the intricacies of their emotions can unfurl, where their armor can shed, and where the intricate web of defense mechanisms – our subconscious survival strategies formed in childhood – can be unraveled.

Our journey through life often necessitates the development of various sub-personalities—adaptive roles such as the pleaser, victim, nice person, rescuer, joker, inner critic, skeptic, judge, cynic, controller, detached, and know-it-all. These personas (which I also call defense mechanisms) are built during our formative years as a means to navigate the challenges and emotional threats life throws our way.

In therapeutic spaces, be that Biodynamic Breathwork, Myofascial Energetic Release, or Compassionate Inquiry sessions, these defense mechanisms manifest as patterns that have safeguarded us through the years. It is crucial to recognize these patterns as gifts, acknowledging their role in our survival and resilience during difficult times.

When a client exhibits dissociative, controlling, or judgmental patterns, the key is to guide them towards self-realization. Together, we embark on a compassionate journey of exploration and enquiry. As we start to understand that these patterns have very deep roots—they’re often formed 20, 30, or even 40 years ago— we both see the necessity of time and patience. Over multiple sessions, we are able to reshape the neuroplasticity of the nervous system and establish new, safer modes of engagement.

The foundation of this transformation often involves creating regulation in the nervous system, fostering the Ventral Vagal Complex for safety, intimacy, presence, love, and compassion. Building this foundation requires the creation of a Counter Vortex, enriched with internal and external resourcing, resonance, interoception, and felt sense. This process enhances awareness and embodiment, and creates a newfound sense of safety.

As therapists, navigating this journey with our clients requires self-awareness of our own countertransference—acknowledging any projections we may have onto our clients. Maintaining a clear space of compassion and possibility, devoid of a desire to change the client, allows us to honor their complete and integrated potential as human beings. This acknowledgment creates a safe haven, empowering clients to muster the courage to delve into challenging memories or traumatic experiences from their past. In the present, they are able to express themselves within the safety of their bodies – sometimes for the first time in their lives – and over time, they are able to witness their own healing journey.

With heartfelt compassion and dedication,

Nisarga Eryk Dobosz – BBTRS, BCST, CI, MER, LOMI

About Nisarga Eryk Dobosz:

Nisarga is an esteemed member of the BBTRS®️ faculty and holds expertise in Compassionate Inquiry, along with being a practitioner of Myofascial Energetic Release and Biodynamic Craniosacral techniques. His passion lies in global teaching and group facilitation. Nisarga reveres the human body as a sacred temple, advocating its treatment with the highest degree of respect and admiration. This philosophy underpins his work, resulting in a pinnacle of true craftsmanship rooted in a profound desire to comprehend and trust the body’s boundless potential for self-regulation and self-healing.

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We do not offer refunds. If you need to change your attendance at this training, we will do our best to accommodate you by offering you the option of attending a different BBTRS training on a different date and/or location based on availability and within a year of the original training. There is a $150 administrative fee for changing training dates/locations, plus any difference in the cost of the two trainings. Please note that this option is not transferable to another person.

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Effective date: October 16, 2018

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By registering, I understand that I am required to maintain the confidentiality and privacy of demo clients and my fellow participant’s attendance regarding anything they’ve shared or processed.

By registering, I agree this will be a safe space of openness where cultural, historical, generational, societal, and personal differences are respected without verbal or physical judgment, criticism, or harm.

By registering, I am aware that recording equipment maybe be present during this workshop. If I ask a question my voice will be recorded and I may appear on video. This video may be posted on the Biodynamic Breathwork and Trauma Release™ website, YouTube, FaceBook, and other media outlets.
If I do not want to appear on video it is my responsibility to inform the course facilitators at the beginning of course. In this case I will not be videoed.

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II understand that the BioDynamic Breathwork & Trauma Release Workshop & Training can be physically and emotionally intense. By registering, I agree that neither Alexander ‘Giten’ Tonkov, Biodynamic Breathwork and Trauma Release™ Institute, nor any of its staff, coordinators, assistants, faculty members, technicians, affiliates, the venue, or representatives have any responsibility or liability for physical or emotional harm, property loss or damage that may result from attendance at or travel to and from the Workshop and I hereby release them from all claims in connection with my attendance of this workshop.

I acknowledge that I am required to inform the staff about relevant psychiatric history, infectious diseases, drug use, and all present health conditions before participation in the training. I understand that no refunds are provided under any circumstance after the beginning of the workshop. I understand that BioDynamic Breathwork & Trauma Release Institute (BBTRI) Staff reserve the right to request termination of my participation if I have not complied with all of the above guidelines, and/or if BioDynamic Breathwork and Trauma Release Institute’s staff deems it not suitable for me to continue at any point in the workshop.