Pendulation

A core Somatic Experiencing technique of moving rhythmically back and forth between comfortable and uncomfortable sensations. This oscillating movement helps release bound trauma energy by gradually moving from resources (healing vortex) toward trauma sensations, then back to resources, creating a safe rhythm that unwinds compressed energy.

Source: Described in 'Waking the Tiger' by Peter A. Levine. Pendulation is a key technique in Somatic Experiencing that uses rhythmic oscillation between resources and trauma sensations to safely release bound energy.

How to practice

1. 1Identify comfortable, resourced sensations in your body
2. 2Notice uncomfortable or traumatic sensations
3. 3Begin by staying with comfortable sensations to build capacity
4. 4Gradually move attention to uncomfortable sensations for a brief moment
5. 5Then move back to comfortable sensations
6. 6Oscillate rhythmically back and forth between the two
7. 7Create a figure-eight pattern: healing vortex → trauma vortex → healing vortex
8. 8Allow this pendulation to gradually release bound energy
9. 9Trust the natural rhythm and don't force the process

Based on literature