In this deeply moving episode of Field Notes, Dr. Rob Downey sits down with Veronique Ory to explore the powerful intersection of embodiment, trauma, and healing. Veronique shares how lived experiences—especially those shaped by early life, intergenerational trauma, and unexpressed emotion—are stored in the body, influencing our health, behavior, and sense of safety long after the original events have passed.
Together, they unpack why healing isn't about "fixing" ourselves, but about creating enough safety to let go, soften old narratives, and reconnect with the body through compassion, curiosity, movement, and presence. Blending wisdom from yoga, somatic work, psychology, and functional medicine, this conversation offers a hopeful, grounded reminder that when we learn to listen to the body—and honor both pain and joy—profound personal and collective transformation becomes possible.
Learn more about Veronique here: http://YogaWithVeronique.com
Key takeaways:
All experience is embodied. Emotions, stress, and trauma don't just live in our thoughts—they are stored in the nervous system, fascia, and tissues, shaping health patterns until they are consciously felt and released.
Healing requires safety, not force. We often hold on to old wounds because they once protected us. True healing happens only when the body feels safe enough to let go, not when the mind tries to "fix" or override the process.
Suppressed emotions create bigger reactions later. No emotion is inherently bad, but unexpressed feelings tend to surface as overwhelm, illness, or sudden emotional eruptions. Somatic practices allow emotions to move through the body in healthy ways.
Forgiveness is about freedom, not approval. Letting go of old stories and grievances isn't about condoning what happened—it's about releasing the emotional charge so it no longer hijacks the body or dictates health outcomes.
Small shifts can create paradigm-level change. Gentle, embodied actions—like changing daily habits, slowing down, choosing nourishing movement, or removing inflammatory inputs—can unlock profound transformations in health, agency, and self-trust.