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Dr Rangan ChatterjeeDr Rangan Chatterjee

The ‘Normal’ Body Signals That Come From Unprocessed Trauma

This episode is brought to you by: AG1: Get a FREE AG1 Flavor Sampler, AGZ Sampler, plus FREE Vitamin D3+K2 and AG1 Welcome Kit. Sign up for a subscription here: https://bit.ly/43FwxQl Peloton: Let yourself ride, lift, stretch, move and go. Explore the new Peloton Cross Training Bike+ at https://onepeloton.co.uk When it comes to feeling better, many of us instinctively start with our minds. We think about our thoughts, our beliefs, our stress levels. But what if a huge part of our emotional and psychological experience is actually being held in our bodies – quite literally – in a remarkable tissue called fascia? This week, I’m joined by Jason van Blerk, one of the co-founders of Human Garage - a global self-care movement that aims to inspire 1 billion people to heal themselves, through simple, accessible movement practices, that they call Fascial Manoeuvres. In our conversation, we explore what fascia actually is, why modern science is only just beginning to catch up with what many practitioners have observed for decades, and how emotions and past experiences may be stored in our physical structure. Jason also shares how different areas of the body seem to relate to different emotional patterns, why posture and mood are so tightly linked, and how changing one can often influence the other. We also talk about stress, and why so many of us feel tense, disconnected, and stuck in our own lives and Jason explains how simple rotational movements, combined with specific breathing patterns, can help “unwind” the body, reduce stress, and leave you feeling lighter, calmer, and grounded. The thing I love the most about Human Garage’s philosophy is that they want to empower people to heal themselves. This is not about needing lifelong treatment, or becoming dependent on a therapist or health care practitioner - it’s about learning a set of practical moves that you can use anywhere, anytime and with no equipment, to start healing your body and calming your mind. #feelbetterlivemore Connect with Jason: https://www.instagram.com/jasonvanblerk/reels/ https://www.youtube.com/@jasonvanblerkTV Connect with Human Garage: https://humangarage.net/ https://www.instagram.com/humangarage/ https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCd3dxTJ4ZaqaJkWEsmixRAw Online programs https://humangarage.net/programs #feelbetterlivemore #feelbetterlivemorepodcast ------- Order MAKE CHANGE THAT LASTS. US & Canada version https://amzn.to/3RyO3SL, UK version https://amzn.to/3Kt5rUK ----- Follow Dr Chatterjee at: Website: https://drchatterjee.com/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/drchatterjee Twitter: https://twitter.com/drchatterjeeuk Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drchatterjee/ Newsletter: https://drchatterjee.com/subscription DISCLAIMER: The content in the podcast and on this webpage is not intended to constitute or be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have heard on the podcast or on my website.

Dr. Rangan ChatterjeehostJason van Blerkguest
Feb 3, 20261h 34mWatch on YouTube ↗

At a glance

WHAT IT’S REALLY ABOUT

How trauma, fascia, movement, and belief shape stress symptoms

  1. The speakers argue that unprocessed emotions and trauma can show up as tension patterns in the body, often surfacing during bodywork as shaking, crying, or sudden emotional release.
  2. Jason van Blerk proposes that fascia—described as a water-rich, electrically conductive, sensory network—may store “memory,” influence posture, and drive recurring pain patterns when untreated.
  3. Human Garage’s approach emphasizes rotational movements plus breath (rather than linear stretching or painful rolling) to “unwind” restrictions, rebalance pressure, and improve how the body moves and feels.
  4. The discussion highlights belief/placebo/nocebo as a major amplifier of results, with faster releases occurring when people collectively expect change and slower progress when skepticism dominates.
  5. Beyond technique, the episode frames daily self-touch and self-movement as a practical route to self-awareness, stress reduction, and long-term behavior/lifestyle change rather than temporary symptom relief.

IDEAS WORTH REMEMBERING

5 ideas

Emotions can become “stuck” as physical patterns.

They describe trauma as emotions that weren’t processed in the moment, which then show up as chronic tension, protective posture, or region-specific reactions during release work.

Fascia may be a key interface between mind, body, and memory.

Jason suggests fascia’s water-based, gel-like structure can transmit signals and “store” patterns; Dr. Chatterjee adds emerging research on fascia’s dense sensory innervation and stress-related fibers.

Recurring pain may persist if the underlying fascial restriction remains.

Adjustments or muscle work can feel great but “revert” if global tension lines still pull the structure back—like straightening a bone while the surrounding ‘shirt’ stays twisted.

Rotation plus breath is positioned as a more natural reset than linear force.

Because walking and many human movements are counter-rotational, they argue rotational maneuvers can restore flow and coordination better than straight-line stretching or fixed gym patterns.

Self-touch is not incidental—it may be part of the mechanism.

The maneuvers resemble self-hugging/fetal-pattern positions and involve skin contact, which Dr. Chatterjee links to touch receptors that can lower stress physiology and improve reconnection to the body.

WORDS WORTH SAVING

5 quotes

Trauma is an event where you could not process the emotions.

— Jason van Blerk

The body is a rotational system… so if all of these things… are rotational, why are we stretching in a straight line?

— Jason van Blerk

When there was a collective conscious belief that this could really help them, it was faster and more effective.

— Jason van Blerk

If you stretch your skin, you’re working on your fascia because your fascia connects to the skin.

— Jason van Blerk

I believe it’s because we’re releasing emotions… Emotions are heavy.

— Jason van Blerk

Fascia as connective, sensory, water-rich systemTrauma/emotions expressed through posture and tensionRotational movement vs linear stretching/strength patternsBreath, stress physiology, and nervous system downregulation“Pressure mapping” and cross-body compensation patternsScars, adhesions, and recurring misalignment after treatmentBelief, placebo/nocebo, and readiness to change

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