By: Paul Barclay
In her book The Body of Change: Using Your Body to Heal, Love, and Empower Yourself, Dr. Lisa Cooney introduces a compassionate framework for understanding the ways we’ve learned to protect ourselves when life felt unsafe. She explains that the nervous system develops survival patterns she calls the “four Ds”: denying, defending, disconnecting, and dissociating.
“We deny our truth, defend against vulnerability, disconnect from our emotions, and dissociate when we feel overwhelmed,” she says. Rather than seeing these reactions as faults, Cooney reframes them as intelligent responses. “These aren’t flaws — they’re intelligent adaptations.”
Still, what once helped us cope can eventually limit us. Cooney notes that recognizing these patterns is a powerful step forward: “Awareness turns protection into choice. When you can name the pattern — ‘I’m defending right now’ — you step into consciousness instead of reaction. That’s where transformation begins.”
Rebuilding Trust With the Body
Cooney’s work centers on the idea that the body is wise, responsive, and constantly communicating — even when we feel disconnected. For those who struggle to feel or trust their body’s cues, she recommends beginning gently.
“Start small: Place a hand on your heart or belly, take a breath, and simply ask: ‘Body, what do you need right now?’” she says. Even if nothing surfaces, that’s okay. “You might hear silence at first — that’s okay. Trust grows through consistent presence, not perfection. The body begins to speak again when it feels safe to do so.”
The Roar® Technique: Releasing What’s Been Held
One distinctive tool described in Cooney’s work is the Roar® Technique, a somatic method that taps the body’s natural pathways to release tension, emotion, and stored survival energy.
Cooney explains that the technique “integrates breath, sound, and movement — the body’s natural languages — to restore flow and vitality.” The acronym ROAR stands for Radical Release of Authentic Revelation. It isn’t about aggression. “It’s not about rage; it’s about reclamation,” she says. “When we let the body express what’s been held back, we free the energy that was once locked in survival and reclaim our power to live fully.”
Bridging Body and Soul
A defining aspect of Cooney’s perspective is her integration of both scientific and spiritual approaches. “Science grounds us; spirituality expands us,” she explains. Rather than choosing one lens over the other, she draws from neuroscience, somatic psychology, and quantum energy principles to help people understand healing on multiple levels.
“The body itself is the bridge — matter and energy working as one,” she says.
The Wisdom of Discomfort
Many of us spend years avoiding discomfort, but Cooney reframes it as an essential part of the healing process: “Discomfort is the teacher.” Instead of turning away, she encourages readers to meet uncomfortable sensations with gentleness. “Healing asks us to meet what we’ve run from — with compassion, not force.”
A Daily Ritual to Come Home to Yourself
Cooney offers simple rituals readers can practice immediately. One favorite is the Three-Breath Gratitude Reset:
“Breathe in gratitude for your body — for carrying you.
Breathe in gratitude for your breath — for keeping you alive.
Breathe in gratitude for your awareness — for noticing.”
“It shifts your state instantly,” she says. “Gratitude signals the nervous system that it’s safe to rest, receive, and return to presence.”
The Teacher Learns Too
Cooney’s own journey has been transformed by engaging with this work. “I’ve learned to surrender,” she reflects. Teaching and writing required her to embody the material more deeply. “I’ve become softer, more open, more trusting. I no longer see vulnerability as a weakness but as a portal to authenticity.”
Looking Ahead: A Somatic Renaissance
As more people explore body-based healing, Cooney sees a major shift unfolding: “We’re entering what I call a somatic renaissance.” She believes society is recognizing that “emotions, trauma, and intuition live in the tissues, not just the mind.”
If readers remember only one message from The Body of Change, Cooney hopes it is a simple yet profound one: “You are not broken.” She adds, “Everything you’ve done to survive was brilliant — and now it’s time to live.”
Your body is not your enemy; it’s your greatest ally. “When you listen, it will guide you home to your true self.” To her, that is what it means to live your ROAR — “your Radical, Original, Authentic Revelation.”
Unlock deeper healing—grab The Body of Change on Amazon.
Disclaimer: The content of this article is for informational purposes only and is not intended as medical, psychological, or therapeutic advice. Always seek the guidance of a qualified healthcare professional with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition or mental health concerns.
