Pascal
Meet Pascal, a somatic therapist and passionate practitioner of body-focused meditation. Growing up in Chile, her journey to becoming a therapist is deeply intertwined with her personal battle against a chronic illness. Now she teaches others to be more connected with their bodies. Every Wednesday morning, Pascal guides BounceSpace members in meditation, helping them start their day grounded and connected.
I’ve read that you are a ‘Somatic Therapist, certified in NeoReichan Body, Breathwork and Emotional Release’. That’s a mouthful. How did you find your way to this type of therapy?
My journey began out of necessity. When I was 20, I started to feel some pain in my body. I was stuck; all my joints were very painful, and I couldn't move. It felt like a knife against my skin. It was a confusing time; I was eventually diagnosed with a mixed tissue connective disease, a condition with elements of fibromyalgia and rheumatism. The medications offered were just painkillers, not a cure. But I was just 20 – I didn’t want to live my life dependent on these medications, so I began exploring alternative ways to manage my condition.That sounds like a challenging time. How did you manage to find a path that worked for you?
It was a long process, filled with experimentation and learning. I delved into different diets, focusing on anti-inflammatory foods, and tried various therapies. Doctors in the alternative realm told me to listen to my body more, but I had no idea how. No one ever taught me how to listen to my body. It’s not a very natural thing for us to do in our society. So I was looking at ways to learn and connect with my body, and I found that in Neo-Reichian Body Breathwork. It wasn’t until I started with this that I finally found significant relief. This approach, which integrates body awareness and emotional release, allowed me to connect deeply with my body and understand its messages. It was a transformative experience, and I knew I wanted to share this with others.
Can you describe how Neo-Reichian Body Breathwork works and how it helped you personally?
Neo-Reikian Body Breathwork involves techniques that enhance body awareness and emotional release. It includes energetic techniques, breathing exercises, and body movements to help discharge and recharge energy. In this technique, you need to open your eyes and express yourself. It’s about being brave enough to feel and be vulnerable, which allows for true healing. For me, it was about more than just managing pain; it was about understanding and releasing the deep-seated emotions stored in my body. This practice taught me to communicate with my body and heal from within. It's very interesting because I'm not free of pain. Sometimes it comes back a little bit, but it's a reminder to be more connected with my body. It's really a new way to communicate with myself and understand the roots of what I am feeling.What inspired you to start teaching others?
After experiencing such profound personal healing, I felt a strong desire to share this knowledge. I believe that many people live disconnected from their bodies, much like I was. When I finished my studies in Chile and started to work, I was disappointed with the work environment. I decided to travel to Europe. My boyfriend and I moved to the Netherlands, where I also have family. I began looking for communities that valued holistic health and mindfulness. I found a center in Italy, where I volunteered. I met my teacher there, and he taught me everything about this therapy, which really changed my life. Right now, I’m asked to assist him in training new groups, which is such an honor. I want to be able to spread this type of therapy because I think so many people will benefit from it. I believe that our bodies hold incredible wisdom and healing potential. By creating a safe space for body awareness and emotional expression, we can unlock this potential and live more balanced, fulfilling lives.
Why do you think we are disconnected from our bodies?
In our society, we often live in our heads, focused on mental tasks and achievements. This disconnection from our bodies can lead to various health issues and emotional imbalances. Our educational system emphasizes sitting still and processing information mentally, often neglecting physical and emotional aspects. Even sports and physical training often focus on performance and results rather than body awareness and connection. By creating a safe space for body awareness and emotional expression, I hope to guide people towards a more holistic and balanced way of living.Do you think you have healing powers?
No, I don't have healing powers. The NeoReichan approach is different from Reiki, which is a more commonly known practice. My role as a therapist is to facilitate the process by creating a safe space and providing the tools. But the people do their own work. They need to be brave enough to open their eyes, express themselves, and face their emotions. It's a journey they must undertake themselves, and I am there to support and encourage them along the way. You heal yourself. You need to be aware and change it. If you don't want to, if you are not brave enough to do it, you don’t do it. In the beginning, when I started with this therapy myself, I felt lost and overwhelmed. There were moments I wanted to give up, but I realized that feeling lost can be a good thing because it forces you to reflect and consider changes in your life. Crises are part of our growth. Sometimes I’m thankful for my chronic illness because it pushed me to find new ways to live and connect with my body. It gave me more introspection about my purpose and myself."I believe that our bodies hold incredible wisdom and healing potential. By creating a safe space for body awareness and emotional expression, we can unlock this potential and live more balanced, fulfilling lives."
What are your future plans in this field?
I envision hosting retreats where people can disconnect from their daily lives and immerse themselves in nature and body awareness practices. These retreats would provide a deeper, more intensive experience, allowing participants to reflect on their lives and make meaningful changes. I also plan to continue my training and eventually teach new practitioners, expanding the reach of this therapeutic work.
