Taming the Tiger Within - Amici Associates

Taming the Tiger Within:10 Body Based Techniques

to Change Behavior

Elia Vecchione, PhD Leo Vecchione, MA

Michael Vandenbergh, MA

Creating Trust, Safety, Attachment,

And Good Behavior. Elia Vecchione, PhD.

Service is an endless series of questions in which we encounter our own limitations…-Ram Dass

Sicilian Bisnonna

Soothing Distress

“Reach Out”

“Act Out”

“Check Out”

Defensive Systems

Still Face

Still Face Data

Inborn Action Systems Defensive Advancement

1. Attachment “Reach Out”2. Hypervigilance: Mobilization “Act Out” 1. Hypovigilance:

Immobilization “Space Out”

1. Physiological Regulation

2. Exploration 3. Play 4. Care Taking 5. Affiliation 6. Pair Bonding

Defensive Systems

1) Attachment: Reach Out Social Engagement-Proximity seeking, and Problem Solving

2) Mobilization: Act Out Hyperarousal- Freeze, Flight, Fight

3) Immobilization: Check Out Hypoarousal- Avoidance, Shut Down

“It’s about your body interpreting the world as a terrifying place and yourself as being unsafe.”

-Bessel van der Kolk

The Basics of Human Behavior

Something Happens Body Thoughts & Behavior Reacts Feelings

We don’t run because we’re afraid,

We’re afraid because we run.

We don’t run because we’re afraid,

Something Happens

Unresolvable Problem,

Confrontation Threat, Danger

“Explosions”

Disengagement AVOID!

Engagement Approach…

The Social Brain

Michael (“Check Out”) and Quincy (“Act Out”)

Ambivalent

Disorganized

Secure

Avoidant

Proximity Seeking “Approach”

“Avoidance”

“Calm” “Anxious”

Romanian Orphans

Hyperarousal: Freeze, Flight, Fight “Act Out”

The Safety Zone: Proximity Seeking “Reach Out”

Hypoarousal: Dissociate “Space Out”

States of ArousalExplosions

Avoidance & Shut Down

Still Face

A tale of 3 StatesAttachment Shut Down and AvoidanceFreeze, Flight, Fight

Mobilization Avoidance “Act Out”

Approach Engagement “Reach Out”

Immobilization Avoidance “Check Out”

The Defensive Systems:

The Autobiography of the Self, is inscribed by experience, on the brain and the body,

and told and retold through its only language, behavior.

The Rehabilitation of Attachment

Establishing Attachment as the Primary Defense

Safety

Generate Positive Affects

Proximity Seeking

Soothe Distress

Communicate Problem Solve Negotiate

Affiliate

Safety

Safety

Social Referencing I

Social Referencing II

Proximity Seeking

Proximity Seeking

Taming the Tiger Within:10 Body Based Techniques

to Change Behavior

Elia Vecchione, PhD Leo Vecchione, MA

Michael Vandenbergh, MA

I. Power Posing II. Tapping

III. Breathing IV. Walking Meditation

V. Guided Meditation VI. Singing

VII. Dancing VIII. Hand Holding

IX. Swimming X. Acupuncture