Trauma is a rupture in the organism’s self–regulation which blocks the intuitive wisdom of the body and is reflected as diminished rhythmic capacity, reduced resiliency (organism is easily overwhelmed) and increased disorganization of the physiology (resulting in symptoms and disease). Nearly all human beings have experienced some form of trauma.  
“We become traumatized when our ability to respond to a perceived threat is in some way overwhelmed. This inability to adequately respond can impact us in obvious ways as well as ways that are subtle... trauma is about loss of connection to ourselves, to our bodies, to our families, to others and to the world around us”  (Healing Trauma – Dr Peter Levine, 2008:9).

 Trauma is in the body and not in the event. The inability of the organism to respond and thus restore equilibrium leaves the energy engendered for survival responses undischarged and it remains locked in the body. Trauma responses vary from person to person and depend on factors such as genetic make-up, individual history, family dynamics etc. Trauma can result from overwhelm experienced as a result of a catastrophic event, chronic ongoing stress and it can be a result of cumulative seemingly minor events. It all depends on how the individual’s nervous system is able to respond to the various demands on an ongoing basis.