Have you ever felt tension in your shoulders that would not ease, knots in your stomach during stressful moments? These are signs that fascia and trauma lives in your body.
In this Transform Your Mind podcast episode, host Myrna Young talks with Deanna Hansen. We explore fascia and trauma, breathing, and the relationship between physical tension and emotional well-being.
Deanna shared the personal experience that inspired her work, why she pays so much attention to breathing, and how her Block Therapy method approaches body awareness.
I also brought my own questions. I meditate regularly, have used foam rollers, and wanted to understand how these practices relate to everyday discomfort—including my knee pain.
The central question was simple: How can we become more attentive to fascia and trauma in our bodies without assuming we already know what every symptom means?
What You’ll Learn in This Podcast Episode
- How an anxiety attack became a turning point in Deanna’s life.
- What is fascia and why it matters to movement.
- How Deanna describes the connection between stress, breathing, and physical tension.
- The three pillars of her Block Therapy approach.
- Why I asked about the difference between foam rolling and her method.
- How body awareness can become part of a broader self-care routine.
- Where to learn more about the resources mentioned during our conversation.
- How trauma lives in the fascia.
Fascia and Trauma: The Anxiety Attack
[04:22] — When Pushing Harder Wasn’t Helping
Deanna began by taking us back to a difficult period around her thirtieth birthday.
She had trained as an athletic therapist and understood exercise, physical conditioning, and hands-on treatment. Yet she described struggling with anxiety, depression, chronic pain, and dissatisfaction with her body.
Despite her efforts to become fitter, she did not feel well.
During one particularly frightening anxiety attack, she placed her hand against her abdomen and began exploring the area with pressure. She described the sensation as bringing her attention back into her body.
Afterward, she felt calmer.
That experience led her to repeat the practice. Over time, she reported improvements in discomfort and a more hopeful outlook. These were her personal experiences, which became the starting point for her later work.
What stood out to me was the change in how she related to herself. She began to feel that she could participate in her care rather than remain frustrated with her body.
Sometimes the first meaningful shift is recognizing that we need a different approach.
This was her introduction to Fascia and trauma.
Can Emotional Trauma Cause Physical Pain? The Fascia Connection
Fitness, Recovery, and the Habit of Pushing Through
[07:47] — When Determination Needs to Include Rest
Deanna’s story reminded me of conversations with guests who had spent years pushing through physical discomfort.
During the interview, I brought up stories about intense training and the expectation that strength means ignoring pain.
There is value in persistence. But there is also value in asking whether our habits are helping us recover.
Deanna’s experience raised questions about fascia and trauma worth considering:
- Am I allowing myself enough recovery time?
- Have I become accustomed to dismissing discomfort?
- Am I exercising in a way that feels appropriate for my current abilities?
- Have I sought help for pain that keeps returning?
My takeaway was that caring for the body requires both effort and attention.
Persistent pain deserves an assessment. It should not automatically be attributed to trauma, poor breathing, or fascia.
Understanding Fascia and Trauma and How it Lives in the Body
[09:37] — Deanna Explains Her Framework
When I asked Deanna about the relationship between emotional experiences and physical tension, she introduced her concept of “Trauma Induces Programming and Patterning.”
This is her framework for describing how stressful experiences, breathing habits, and movement patterns may interact.
Fascia itself is connective tissue that surrounds and supports structures throughout the body, including muscles and organs. It is more widespread than the tissue around an individual joint. Cleveland Clinic describes it as a supportive network made largely of collagen. my.clevelandclinic.org
Before this conversation, I associated fascia primarily with joints and areas where someone might use a foam roller.
Deanna encouraged me to consider the body more broadly.
However, the phrase “your body remembers” needs context. It can describe the lasting physical responses people associate with stress, but it does not establish that traumatic memories are literally stored in fascia.
Nor can the location of a painful area reveal a specific emotional experience.
The useful invitation is to become curious about patterns while remaining open to other explanations.
What Is Block Therapy?
[15:18] — A Self-Care Approach Built Around Pressure, Breathing, and Movement
Deanna explained that she developed a hands-on method called Fluid Isometrics and later created Block Therapy as a self-care version.
Her method uses a wooden tool, positioning, and breathing. She also discussed introductory practices using a rolled towel.
During our conversation, she described three pillars.
Creating Space
Deanna uses this phrase to describe working with areas she considers compressed or restricted.
It is part of her teaching model for helping participants pay attention to tension and movement.
Inflating Space
Her second pillar emphasizes diaphragmatic breathing.
She encourages participants to notice how they breathe while practicing rather than treating breathing as separate from movement.
Maintaining Space
The third pillar focuses on posture and everyday habits.
Deanna’s aim is to help participants remain aware of how they sit, stand, and move after a session ends.
These descriptions explain her approach to fascia and trauma in the body.
They should not be interpreted as proof that pressure can melt scar tissue, remove emotional memories, or reverse disease.
Foam Rolling and Block Therapy to Heal Trauma
[20:27] — Exploring Different Approaches to Bodywork
I told Deanna that I already owned foam rollers and had used them while thinking about fascia and trauma.
She described her approach as different from rolling across the surface of the body. In her method, participants remain in a position and use breathing alongside sustained pressure.
This was Deanna explaining her preference and technique—not a comparison proving that one approach is better for everyone.
For me, the practical question became: What kind of support is appropriate for the individual?
Someone with ongoing pain may benefit from asking a qualified clinician or physical therapist about suitable movement, rehabilitation, or hands-on care.
More pressure is not automatically more helpful. A practice should not require pushing through sharp or worsening pain.
Breathing, Stress, and the Nervous System
[20:52] — Why the Conversation Kept Returning to the Breath
When I asked how fascia relates to anxiety, stress, and burnout, Deanna returned to breathing.
She emphasized the diaphragm and encouraged attention to the exhalation phase.
This connected with my own interest in meditation and nervous system health. I shared that I already practice conscious breathing, but usually during a dedicated meditation session.
That led me to wonder how often I notice my breath during ordinary life.
Breathing exercises are among the relaxation practices studied for stress and anxiety. The National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health explains that relaxation techniques aim to encourage a response associated with slower breathing and a reduced heart rate. Their usefulness varies by person and condition. www.nccih.nih.gov
The broader lesson is that breathing can be one supportive practice. It is not an explanation for every symptom or a replacement for needed care.
The Introductory Practice Fascia and Trauma Relief
[25:45] — Learning Before Investing in Equipment
I asked Deanna what someone could do to begin exploring her approach.
She described an introductory series using a rolled towel instead of the wooden block. During the interview, she offered listeners a nine-part sampler intended to introduce her method, breathing cues, and posture concepts.
I appreciated the opportunity to learn about a practice before purchasing equipment.
However, the interview is not a personalized instruction session. Deep pressure, particularly around the abdomen or an injured area, may not be suitable for everyone.
If you are considering the method, review the instructions and suitability guidance, and speak with your healthcare professional when you have a medical condition or ongoing pain.
Check Deanna’s website for the current availability and terms of the introductory offer.
Stress, Burnout, and Recognizing When You Are Bracing
[29:42] — Noticing the Physical Side of a Demanding Day
Our discussion then moved to stress and burnout and how it relates to fascia and trauma.
Deanna described the experience of entering a tense environment and feeling the body contract.
Many people recognize that experience: raised shoulders during an argument, a clenched jaw while working, or tension that becomes noticeable only after a busy day ends.
Her message was to pay attention to those patterns.
I would add that noticing tension is a starting point, not a diagnosis. Burnout and persistent anxiety may involve several factors, including workload, relationships, sleep, health, and access to support.
A breathing practice can sit alongside changes to those circumstances.
We should not turn self-care into another reason to blame ourselves. Feeling exhausted does not mean you have failed to breathe correctly.
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Do You Have to Think About Every Breath?
[32:17] — Turning Awareness Into a Manageable Habit
I asked Deanna a practical question: If most breathing happens automatically, how can someone realistically remain conscious of it?
She described awareness as something that develops gradually.
That distinction matters. A new practice should not become a demand to monitor yourself constantly.
For me, a more manageable approach is to connect awareness with familiar moments:
- Pausing between work tasks.
- Noticing how I am sitting.
- Taking a comfortable break after an interview.
- Checking whether I am holding unnecessary tension.
The goal is curiosity rather than perfection.
Breath-focused practices do not feel calming for everyone. NCCIH notes that some people experience increased anxiety or difficult thoughts during relaxation exercises, including some people with trauma histories. If that happens, stop and seek guidance about alternatives. www.nccih.nih.gov
Knee Pain, Posture, and Looking at the Whole Person
[37:24] — Why I Asked About the Feet
Later in the interview, I asked how Deanna considers posture and physical discomfort.
I mentioned my knee pain and a previous experience with plantar fasciitis.
Deanna used the analogy of a car with an uneven tire to describe how movement in one area may affect other areas. She explained why her assessments include the feet and overall standing posture.
That was a useful prompt to think beyond the painful spot.
Still, a posture photograph cannot establish the cause of a medical problem, and pain on one side of the body does not identify a particular emotional issue.
My practical takeaway was to ask better questions: Could my walking pattern, footwear, strength, or an injury be contributing? Would a professional assessment help?
Body awareness becomes more useful when it supports appropriate care.
Community and Learning From Other People’s Experiences
[44:07] — Where to Explore Deanna’s Work
Near the end of our conversation, Deanna shared where listeners can learn more.
She recommended her website, YouTube channel, and Block Therapy Community on Facebook.
I liked the community aspect because people often feel less isolated when they meet others navigating similar challenges.
A supportive group can provide encouragement and help someone formulate questions. Personal testimonials, however, do not establish whether a treatment will be effective or appropriate for another person.
Use community experiences as part of your learning, alongside reliable health information and individualized advice.
My Final Thoughts: Listen With Curiosity
[47:35] — Your Next Step Does Not Have to Be Dramatic
As we wrapped up, I reflected on the importance of listening to the body.
It is easy to become focused on doing more: more exercise, more work, more effort, more pushing through.
Sometimes the next constructive step is to pause.
That might mean making an appointment about pain, asking for help with anxiety, adjusting an uncomfortable activity, or allowing more time for recovery.
Deanna’s story also reminded me that people can regain a sense of hope through becoming involved in their own care.
But you do not need to identify a hidden emotional cause for every symptom before you deserve support.
Your experience matters, even when the explanation is not yet clear.
Transformation starts in the mind, but it lives in the body.
Listen to the Full Podcast Episode
Your Body Remembers: Exploring Fascia, Trauma, and Breathing With Deanna Hansen
Join Myrna Young and Deanna Hansen on the Transform Your Mind Radio, Podcast, and Television Show for a conversation about body awareness, breathing habits, physical tension, and Deanna’s Block Therapy approach.
Download the podcast here:
Episode Timestamps
- [01:49] Introducing Deanna Hansen and the fascia conversation.
- [04:22] The anxiety attack that inspired her work.
- [07:47] Fitness, recovery, and pushing through discomfort.
- [09:37] Fascia and Deanna’s framework for physical patterns.
- [15:18] Fluid Isometrics and the three pillars of Block Therapy.
- [20:27] How Deanna distinguishes her method from foam rolling.
- [20:52] Breathing, stress, and nervous system awareness.
- [25:45] Introducing the rolled-towel sampler.
- [29:42] Stress, burnout, and physical bracing.
- [32:17] Building breathing awareness into everyday life.
- [37:24] Discussing posture, feet, and recurring discomfort.
- [44:07] Resources and the Block Therapy community.
- [47:16] Deanna mentions “Life Starts in the Feet.”
- [47:35] Myrna’s closing reflections.
- [48:50] Deanna’s final encouragement.
Connect With Deanna Hansen
Visit BlockTherapy.com to learn about Deanna’s work and current programs.
You can also search for Block Therapy on YouTube and the Block Therapy Community on Facebook.
The discussion reflects the guest’s experiences and descriptions of her method. Bodywork and breathing practices should complement appropriate medical and mental health care.
Join the Conversation
Where do you first notice tension when life becomes stressful?
What helps you feel more comfortable and connected to your body?
Share your experience in the comments. Your reflection may help another reader recognize that they are not alone.
For more conversations about trauma recovery, mental health, mindset, and longevity, explore the Transform Your Mind Podcast.
Until next time, Namaste.
Additional Resources
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Transform Your Mind features conversations about mindset, mental health, trauma recovery, and longevity.
Resources:
Website: Block Therapy
YouTube Channel: Block Therapy (Search for “Life Starts in the Feet”)
Facebook: Block Therapy Community
