My body and mind told different stories
My oldest daughter is in Spain not too far from the wildfires and while I “understand” that she is safe and sound, my body is tensing and resisting that knowledge. It’s been helpful to pay closer attention to those physical sensations and notice how when I override them, I can wind up defaulting to the mind, letting stories take over that are not based on truth. I’m reminded that one of the best ways to lower anxiety is to practice interoception; the skill of paying attention to the sensations in your body. We're back to deep listening — spiraling deeper this time.
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I cleaned my refrigerator to avoid writing this!
Last week we returned to pillar #1, nervous system regulation and this week we are revisiting pillar #2, self-compassion. Again, we're not starting over, we're spiraling outward, building on what we've learned and adding more layers. And there are so many layers of self-compassion.
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How to choose the right practice for the state of your nervous system
We're heading back to pillar #1: nervous system regulation. We're not starting over, we're spiraling. The spiral — one of nature's primary patterns — optimizes growth, strength and energy efficiency. Think sunflowers, mollusk shells and pinecones. Their growth is constant and seamless - they never outgrow the shape of their home and within the spiral, organisms don't need to destroy old structures in order to expand. This is how the pillars feel to me.
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The Power of Imagination: Deep Imagery and Yoga Therapy
Spending time in nature is one of the best ways to regulate your nervous system. Without the distraction of screens and responsibilities, we have a moment to catch our breath and notice what's happening inside. Our imagination is amplified because we have more space to "tune in". Which brings me to the 5th pillar in my yoga therapy framework: deep imagery.
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What to do when you're stuck? Let's talk about somatic parts work.
I’m heading to the wilds to spend a week in my campervan! Spending time in nature is the absolute best way for me to get out of my head and into my body. Did you have a minute to check in and respond to the needs of your body? I did, and one of the things I noticed was a difference in sensation (both physical and emotional) between the front and the back of my heart.
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Get out of you head and into your body!
While I may be a somatic practitioner, I can also be pretty heady. And as many of you know, I love a good framework! These systems give me a lens to see myself through and a way to find insight through that reflection. This week, let’s talk about deep listening - how to get our of your head and into your body!
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Nervous System Regulation is the Foundation Not the Destination.
I talk a lot about nervous system regulation and stress management. But feeling centered and grounded is just the beginning. Yes, we all need skills to reign in our stress response so that we feel less afraid, less anxious, and less overwhelmed. But we’re not doing that to get comfortable. We’re doing that so we can actually sustain discomfort and challenge.
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