Advice on Socializing w/ Group Classes?

[Luma1123]

Hi, all. It's been a hot second since my first post back in Introductions!

I find that I've really been struggling lately with balancing my isolation needs with my socialization needs. Sometimes I really want to be in a space where I don't have to put on my "normal person" face, where I can just be quiet and exist with all the ugly feelings of CPTSD. But other times, when I force myself to go out, spending time with friends feels like medicine, and suddenly I remember that there's a world outside my own head and all the problems in there!

I'm trying to decide on a local community class to take, one that's a regular commitment but isn't reliant on being conversational or "normal" all the time. The two I'm weighing are either a drawing class (for absolute beginners, haha), or a yoga class.

Does anyone have any thoughts or recs for things to look for? I can imagine both would be helpful for various ptsd related issues in general, but also that optional level of social engagement feels like a good way to get out of the house without necessarily overextending myself.

I'm really sick of all the ptsd symptoms. I know these things take time, even with a good therapist, but I want to flex some agency over my own surroundings right now. Thanks, all ❤️

[Kizzie]

So I did an AI search about art and movement classes for trauma survivors and here's what it came up with:

Art and movement classes for trauma survivors use sensory-based creative expression and somatic movement to help safely release stored stress, regulate the nervous system, and process experiences without needing verbal language.

Benefits of Art and Movement for Trauma:

Nervous system regulation: Calms the body's physical stress response and lowers heart rate.Non-verbal processing: Allows expression of feelings that are too hard to speak aloud.Somatic release: Movement helps discharge trapped survival energy in the body.Empowerment: Restores a sense of personal choice, safety, and control.

Types of Trauma-Informed Classes

Expressive arts studios: Open-ended painting, drawing, and clay work focused on creation rather than technique.Somatic movement & dance: Gentle, mindful movement practices that reconnect the mind and body.Trauma-informed yoga: Slow, rhythmic physical postures emphasizing personal boundaries and comfort.

The reason I searched this is I was a patient partner for a research study last year (advised the researcher on certain aspects of the study), about the benefits of movement and art and it made sense to me that this helps open up more areas of our brain to help us edge out of the cycles of trauma we seem to get stuck in. 

Anyway, hope this helps and you find something you enjoy.

Kizzie

[NarcKiddo]

Movement is very therapeutic and many people find yoga to be beneficial. Any gym type class is not going to want you chatting to others during the class so there will not be any sort of social obligation during the class, but there is usually a chance to get to know others, go out for coffee or whatever, if you wish.

I find art is also therapeutic and I have done several classes. I have mixed feelings about art classes. People can often chat a lot during the classes - it rather depends on the tutor what kind of atmosphere they encourage. One teacher I had very much encouraged students to get up and look at other people's work, others less so. I had personally joined the art class because I was hoping to get some social activity but I find that when I am in the 'zone' I simply do not want to talk so I ignore everybody! I think the tutor of an art class is much more important to the overall experience than a yoga teacher would be. I say this because yoga practice has a fixed goal and fixed movements. You want the tutor to know how to instruct the class safely, of course, but I imagine you can do yoga 'right' and you can probably do it 'wrong'. That is not the case with art and it can be a more vulnerable environment if a teacher is overly critical of what you have created. Yes, there are principles that need to be learned, but the main thing with art is that you are happy with your work, and that you have a teacher who will teach you the skills so you can become happy with your work if you are not to start with.

I would absolutely encourage you to give either, or both, a try and see how you feel.

[Blueberry]

I tried an art class, I can't remember now if it was drawing or water colour. I found it terribly difficult and frustrating because I couldn't get the hang of the first step which was to draw or paint the shade which would depict the vase but not draw the vase itself. The teacher wasn't to my liking either. When I said towards the end of the first session that I wouldn't be back, she was so disappointed because when she has a quiet, retiring sort of person in the room she can take up more space. With me leaving she wouldn't be able to take up so much space. She actually explained all that unashamedly. I was quieter and a lot more withdrawn back then than I am now.

I have discovered that I like messing around with colour and truly expressing myself that way rather than learning rules and technique. I do have a little workbook for learning to draw, iirc the original is called Drawing for Klutzes, and it's illustrated by Quentin Blake, can't remember the name of the author. I've done stuff like finger-painting and even foot-painting over the years, at home by myself. Or just scribbling down my feelings using whichever colour and shape I felt was suitable.

[Blueberry]

Sorry I suppose my post above isn't particularly helpful for the aspect of using the class to socialise a bit. I took yoga classes for years, in a yoga centre rather than a community college and found that people tended to chat a bit before and after classes, just for a few minutes really. But it worked for me at the time.