Why I practice Trager: a conscious life choice
— Sonya Granel
Introduction: a choice, not a coincidence
I don’t practice Trager by chance. This choice is the result of a deep personal journey, significant family experiences, and a sincere quest for meaning in my relationship with the body and with others. Trager, this gentle approach to movement and conscious touch, became obvious to me at a specific moment in my life.
In a world where wellness methods are multiplying, choosing a therapeutic approach is a real commitment. It is an answer to intimate questions: how to relieve pain? How to regain lightness? How to offer others what one has experienced oneself?
This article shares my vision of Trager as a practitioner, my deep motivations, and what this approach can truly bring to those who discover it.
My journey: between family life and personal pain
My relationship with the body has not always been peaceful. Like many people, I have experienced periods of physical pain that have profoundly changed my perception of well-being. These pains, sometimes persistent, pushed me to explore different therapeutic paths.
A significant family legacy
The relationship with care, with attention to the other person's body, was built in my family environment. I grew up observing the importance given to listening, presence, and the right touch. This experience shaped my sensitivity and prepared me, without my knowing it yet, to embrace a practice like Trager.
Pain as a revealer
My own pains were messengers. They taught me that:
- The body has its own memory and wisdom
- Mechanical approaches are not always sufficient
- Deep relaxation opens up unsuspected spaces for healing
- Conscious movement can transform self-perception
It was in this quest that I encountered Trager, and everything made sense.
Trager: a stage in life, a return to the essentials
Choosing Trager corresponds to a real stage in life. This approach, developed by Dr. Milton Trager, is based on the idea that the body can relearn lightness, fluidity, and freedom of movement through non-intrusive touch and gentle rocking.
A return to the essentials
In an era saturated with stimulation, performance, and complexity, Trager offers a radical return to the essentials: the simplicity of touch, the quality of presence, and listening to the body. It is less about "doing" than about "being" with the other person.
This practice allowed me to rediscover forgotten dimensions:
- The value of silence and slowness
- The power of a single, correct gesture rather than multiple ones
- The importance of conscious presence, both for the practitioner and the receiver
- Trust in the body's ability to self-regulate
What Trager brings as a practitioner
As a Trager practitioner, I witness the profound benefits of this approach every day, both for the people I work with and for myself.
For the people I work with
The observed benefits are multiple and lasting:
- Relief of chronic tension and persistent pain
- Improved mobility and joint range of motion
- Deep relaxation of the nervous system
- Reconnected to the body and its subtle sensations
- A feeling of lightness and regained freedom
- Better management of stress and emotions
For me as a practitioner
Practicing Trager also means cultivating a rare quality of presence. This approach invites me to a particular meditative state called hook-up, where the connection to the other person is achieved through a full and conscious presence. It is a constant work on oneself, which nourishes as much as it demands.
My vision and recommendations
I am convinced that Trager meets a major contemporary need: to regain a peaceful and conscious relationship with one's body in a world that tends to distance us from it.
For whom?
Trager is particularly suitable for:
- Anyone suffering from tension or chronic pain
- Those seeking greater well-being and reconnection with themselves
- People going through major life transitions
- Practitioners of other body disciplines seeking to deepen their listening skills
- Anyone sensitive to a gentle and respectful approach
My recommendations
If you are considering discovering Trager, I encourage you to:
- Approach the session without specific expectations, remaining open to the experience
- Allow yourself the necessary time to integrate the sensations
- Consider several sessions to fully experience the effects
- Choose a certified practitioner whose approach speaks to you
Conclusion
Practicing Trager is for me much more than a job: it is a commitment, a way of life, the result of an intimate journey made up of family experiences, pain endured, and a quest for meaning. This approach corresponds to a stage in my life where a return to the essentials has become a necessity.
If my journey resonates with you, if you are looking for a gentle, respectful, and deeply human approach to regain the freedom of your body and the peace of your mind, I would be honored to accompany you. Do not hesitate to contact me to discuss your needs and discover how Trager could accompany you on your own path.