Breathwork and Healing: A Journey Through Adoption Trauma with Kellan Bacon - Ep 183

Unraveling Adoption

"I was one of these slight skeptics; I was like, well I've been breathing all my life, what can breathwork do for me?" -- Kellan Bacon

Hear the transcript of this episode here: https://app.swellai.com/t/tp_01JKBNQJYFFZT18Z0XSMHHTH37

EPISODE SUMMARY:

In this episode of Unraveling Adoption, I had the pleasure of speaking with Kellan Bacon, a gender-expansive, transracial adoptee from China, who was adopted as an infant in 1998 and now resides in Cardiff, Wales. Kellan has recently launched a professional practice called Kai Ming Holistics, where they utilize breathwork and other embodied modalities to support others on their healing journeys.

Kellan shared their personal adoption story, highlighting the complexities and challenges they faced growing up in a transracial family. They discussed the common narrative of being "saved" through adoption and how they eventually came to realize the profound impact of adoption trauma on their life. This awakening occurred during a mental health crisis around the age of 20, leading Kellan to explore their identity and the interconnectedness of their experiences as an adoptee and a queer individual.

We delved into the transformative power of breathwork, a healing modality that Kellan discovered during the COVID-19 pandemic. They explained how breathwork can help individuals access and process trauma stored in the body, particularly for adoptees who may have pre-verbal or pre-cognitive trauma. Kellan emphasized the importance of having a trained guide during breathwork sessions to ensure safety and support.

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RESOURCES:

Kellan’s information:

• Kellan’s Substack: https://kellanbacon.substack.com/

• Find Kellan on Instagram both ways at: https://www.instagram.com/kaimingholistics/ AND/OR https://www.instagram.com/kellanbacon/

• Find Kellan on Facebook at: https://www.facebook.com/kellan.x.bacon

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Unraveling Adoption is produced and hosted by Beth Syverson

Music written and performed by Joseph Nakao

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TIME STAMPS

00:00:00 - Welcome and Introduction Introduction to the podcast and the host, Beth Syverson, along with her son Joey's journey.

00:01:05 - Meet Kellen Bacon Introduction of guest Kellen Bacon, a transracial adoptee and breathwork practitioner.

00:01:48 - Kellen's Adoption Story Kellen shares their adoption experience and the realization of adoption's impact.

00:03:15 - Coming Out of the Fog Discussion on the awakening to adoption trauma and its effects on mental health.

00:04:30 - Transracial Adoption Experience Kellen discusses growing up as a transracial adoptee and the challenges faced.

00:06:04 - Exploring Gender Identity Kellen talks about their journey of coming to terms with their gender identity.

00:07:01 - The Intersection of Identities Discussion on how various aspects of identity intertwine and impact personal growth.

00:08:34 - COVID and Breathwork Kellen shares how COVID led them to discover breathwork as a healing modality.

00:10:01 - Understanding Breathwork Explanation of breathwork and its unique approach to healing trauma.

00:11:08 - Demonstration of Breathwork Kellen provides a brief demonstration of breathwork techniques.

00:12:24 - Safety in Breathwork Discussion on the importance of having a guide during breathwork sessions.

00:15:09 - Breathwork for Adoptees Exploration of how breathwork can specifically benefit adoptees dealing with trauma.

00:16:39 - Trauma in the Body Kellen explains how trauma is stored in the body and the importance of somatic healing.

00:19:30 - Kellen's Offerings Information on Kellen's practice, including support groups for trans-adoptees.

00:20:20 - Root Cause Healing Introduction to root cause therapy and its significance in addressing limiting beliefs.

00:22:26 - Kellen's Journey and Age Discussion on Kellen's age and their deep work in healing and therapy.

00:23:30 - Closing Thoughts Final remarks on the importance of breathwork and resources for adoptees.