Reflections on Collective Trauma from Hurricane Helene
Trauma isn’t about the event itself, but how we respond to it
I live in Southern Appalachia, which was one of the regions that was devasted by Hurricane Helene at the end of September. Overall, I was incredibly lucky — there was no major damage to my home, yard, or places I work. However, many folks in the area continue to struggle with housing and food, as well as replacing items that were lost in the the flood. Many have lost jobs and businesses. It’s going to be a long road to recovery, which won’t be made easier by winter weather.
If you are able to, please consider donating to one or more of these organizations:
There’s also this Go Fund Me to support massage therapists in the Asheville area who were affected by Helene. I had the opportunity to attend a yoga massage summit in Asheville, hosted by Living Sabai (one of the organizers of the Go Fund Me), a week before the hurricane. It was an incredible experience and my heart goes out to those who lost so much.
The storm
Hurricane Helene was my first hurricane. While we sometimes get a lot of gusty winds here, I’d never experience anything that was so relentless and intense. During most of the storm, I sat on my couch for hours watching the big tree in my front yard get battered around.
When the storm finally subsided in the mid-afternoon, I heard the birds come out, cautiously celebrating the end of the rain and wind. I went outside to assess the damage around the neighborhood. Thankfully it was relatively minimal compared to what others have experienced. Before I knew it, neighbors were out helping each other by cleaning up fallen down branches and trees.
The recovery
Trauma isn’t about the event itself, but how we respond to it. These last few weeks have taught me a lot about how I manage and experience collective trauma.
Making it through the storm was the initial or primary trauma. Right after the storm ended I started cleaning up the yard immediately — not because I had to, but because my body had to move, to literally pick up the pieces. Whether it’s through yoga, yard work, walking, or volunteering, my body has needed movement now more than ever to process everything.
Seeing news stories and social media posts about the devastation and talking to people about their experiences has brought on vicarious or secondary trauma. The trauma compounds on itself as the fears and anxiety of my neighbors, friends, colleagues, and the region have all intermingled with my own fears and anxieties.
When I went back to teaching yoga at my local studio, it felt a bit awkward and uncomfortable. I struggled at times to find my voice by acknowledging what we have all been through while also giving people space for people to process and heal. That being said, practicing with people and teaching yoga during this time has been incredibly nourishing and grounding.
As with any terrible event, there have been silver linings. I’ve gotten to know my neighbors a lot better and it’s been inspiring to see how quickly the local community has come together. At the same time, there seems to be so much urgency to get back to normal. I wish we could spend more time reflecting on what we’ve learned from all this, how our needs have changed, and what how we can do to support each other as a community beyond times of catastrophe.
If you were affected by Helene or another natural disaster, I’d love to hear what tools and resources are helping you navigate processing and moving through the collective trauma.
Current Offerings:
Online Intuitive Yoga - Sunday, November 3rd
Theme: Fortifying Your Aura
The next Online Intuitive Yoga is on November 3rd from 10am - 11:15am PT/1pm - 2:15pm ET via Zoom. All levels are welcome! The cost is $20.
In this class we’ll connect to our personal energy field to clear and fortify ourselves for what could potentially be an intense week. Sign up through Intuitive Way.
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I’m Veronica and I created Finding Ease as a way to share thoughts, tools, and resources for connecting authentically to your mind, body, and spirit. I’m a librarian, yoga teacher, and healer. I approach the world of yoga and spirituality with joy, along with an interest in examining the ways in which systems of power affect our access and ability to find ease.