About
The Method
The Art of Shadow is a playful method that helps individuals and groups to become aware of their hidden patterns. It combines various techniques and gives a new perspective on hidden layers of deep rooted frozen behavior.
Even though the work we do is touching core beliefs that prevents us from inner growth, the method itself is playful and light.
Read more about The Art of Shadow method.
Where did we start?
With 5 years of studying the topic of shame within family constellations, Elza van Swieten teamed up with Trudi Mulder (both central Netherlands). From there on, they both created a simple method that can have the same impact as attending a family constellation. Elza and Trudi looked closely at the mechanism that puts our feelings into the shadow to begin with. The hidden feelings often get covered by a mask of toxic ego. This mechanism often starts with a traumatic experience at a young age.
Once we have stored unwanted emotions into our subconscious, it becomes a repetitive motion that gets stored in our physical being. Suppressed feelings however, will keep on asking to be healed.
The method Elza and Trudi created brings back the hidden emotions in a simple yet effective setup that requires no therapy. The insight our method brings, brings about change right away. Because we use play, the sessions stay light and fun.
Pain travels through family lines until someone is ready to heal it in themselves. By going through the agony of healing, you no longer pass the poison chalice onto the generations that follow. It is incredibly important and sacred work.

Trudi Mulder has years of experience in trauma processing, change and transformation processes from her practice HEEL je verlangen in Achterveld, Utrecht. She uses individual systemic and family constellations and coaching.

Elza van Swieten has been practicing Raja Yoga meditation since 1989 and gives lectures and writes about shame. Whilst frequently attending family constellations, she could clearly see where entanglements lie in family and personal dynamics.