06/09/2026
What actually happens when you're triggered?
When we talk about being triggered, we often think about the emotional response; the anger, fear, anxiety, overwhelm or feeling of wanting to shut down.
But there is a whole lot more happening in the body.
Your body can respond to a trigger before your conscious mind has even had time to work out what is going on. Your breathing might change, your muscles may tighten, your shoulders might rise, your jaw may clench and your whole posture can shift. You might brace, pull away, freeze or become intensely alert to what is happening around you.
From an Ortho-Bionomy perspective, these responses aren't something to fight against. They are ways the body has learned to respond when something feels overwhelming or threatening.
The body creates patterns of tension and holding to help us manage what we are experiencing. Sometimes those patterns remain long after the original situation has passed, and we can find ourselves carrying tension without even realising why.
This might show up as ongoing muscle tension, restricted movement, changes in breathing or simply feeling like you can't quite relax.
Ortho-Bionomy works with these patterns rather than forcing the body to change. Through comfortable positioning, gentle movement and increased awareness, we can give the body an opportunity to explore something different.
Instead of asking, "How do I get rid of this tension?, we can start by asking, "What is my body trying to do right now?" Your body isn't necessarily working against you, it may simply be trying to protect you in the best way it knows how.
Sometimes, listening is the first step towards letting go. Your body has a reason; Ortho-Bionomy invites us to listen.
