THE EMBODY LAB BLOG
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Integrating Yoga Therapy and EMDR: A Somatic Approach to Trauma Healing
There is a synergy between Yoga Therapy and Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) in facilitating comprehensive trauma healing. Drawing upon the insights of 30 years of teaching and an understanding of the Kosha model and Ayurvedic principles, this integrative approach offers a holistic framework for understanding and treating trauma.
Our Breathing Body: Breathing Practices to Attune to Your Nervous System and Come Back to Your Center
Our breath is a window into our bodily state (nervous system state) and is also the fastest way to modulate our bodily state and intervene at the physiological level. By changing our physiology, the breath has the power to affect our nervous system state and the emerging feelings, emotions, behaviors, and thoughts.
Burnout and the Radical Path of Non-Abandonment of Self
It takes an enormous amount of courage and vulnerability to talk about and get curious about burnout. At its core, burnout actually reflects a very important set of primal human needs and wishes - safety, belonging, and dignity. Burnout is simply a response to overwhelming life experiences. An adaptive strategy to the underlying need for safety, slowing down, and a holding environment where all parts of oneself are welcome, seen, heard, and acknowledged.
Understanding the Healing Power of EMDR Therapy
EMDR therapy offers a unique approach for those seeking solace from the long-term effects of trauma. Bessel van der Kolk, author of “The Body Keeps the Score,” says that EMDR is one of the most effective ways to heal trauma and find relief from the symptoms of PTSD.
Holiday Stress: 5 Ways to Stay True to You When Visiting Family
Are you feeling the stress of the holidays? You’re not alone. The holidays can be the most stressful time of year for many if not most of us: in the U.S., a whopping 89% of adults say that anticipating family conflict, among other factors, causes them stress at this time of year.
If you’re choosing to spend your holidays with family, here are some somatic and cognitive practices to support you as you navigate the joys and challenges of the season.
Unlocking Emotional Release: A Somatic Tool to Release Anger
Imagine having a tool that not only liberates pent-up anger and tension but also empowers your personal boundaries, safeguarding your emotional well-being. In this article, we'll embark on a transformative journey to unearth the power of somatic healing.
Jealousy and the Radical Path of Non-Abandonment of Self
At its core, jealousy reflects a very important set of needs and wishes. Jealousy is simply a response to life experiences. An adaptive strategy to the underlying need for safety, love, and connection.
How I Found Somatic Healing
The first time I ever experienced an emotion in my body was one day in a yin yoga class, in pigeon pose. I felt these sensations bubbling up from deep within my hips, rising to the surface when I had historically fought so hard to push them down throughout my usual day-to-day life.
Somatic Flow Writing Practice - The “One Living at the Edge”
Somatic Flow Writing is a practice to connect with our wisest Self. This wise Self is within each and every one of us and is also known as our true nature, higher self, or even Grace. The goal is for you to get curious about this version of you who is the natural leader of all the other parts that live inside.
Embracing Nature: Eco Therapy for Somatic Trauma Healing
Eco therapy, also known as nature therapy or “green therapy”, is a therapeutic approach that taps into the healing power of nature to address various mental and physical health issues. Drawing inspiration from the vast expanses of natural resources and the calming effects of the great outdoors, eco therapy offers a holistic path towards healing and personal growth.
Excerpt from “The Mind-Body Guide to the Twelve Steps: Finding Joy, Sensuality, and Pleasure in Recovery—Integrative Spiritual and Somatic Practices for Healing from Trauma and Addiction”
Twelve Step recovery offers a profound approach for recovery from all types of addictions. The Steps can bring awareness to, and eventually freedom from, our dependency on unhealthy patterns, substances, and behaviors—whether it be drugs, alcohol, or sugar; overeating or undereating or compulsive exercise; compulsive shopping, workaholism, debting, or underearning; technology or sex or gambling or unhealthy relational dynamics—all of the ever-present behaviors that result in the devastation of our bodies, our relationships, and the Earth.
Reigniting the “Spark” Through Intimacy Coaching
As partners become more familiar and comfortable with each other, it is natural to begin moving from the “honeymoon phase” into a more mature type of love. Some couples may choose to throw the towel; however, with a commitment to growth, couples can continue to deepen their connection far beyond the initial rush of new love. Intimacy coaching is one tool that can help couples accomplish just that.
Emotion-Focused Therapy (EFT) for Anxiety, Depression, and Couples Therapy
By embracing emotions as valuable sources of information and guidance, EFT helps individuals develop deeper self-awareness, cultivate healthier emotional responses, and empower them with the necessary resources to confront challenging situations with resilience and strength.
Mindfulness Therapies for Cultivating Presence and Inner Peace
Mindfulness is the art of being in the present moment, aware of one’s thoughts, feelings, and bodily sensations without judgment. Emerging from a long line of ancient traditions, mindfulness therapies present an antidote to the stress of fast-paced modern life. They focus on bringing the practitioner back into the present moment and away from ruminating thoughts and anxiety.
Emotional Freedom Technique for Worry and Troubling Thoughts
Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT), also known as “tapping,” is a mind-body intervention that utilizes the capabilities of acupressure points to release anxiety and lower stress levels.
5 Ways to Nurture Somatic Awareness and Self-Regulation in Children
Children’s big emotions can leave us scratching our heads. We want to nurture their young bodies and minds. We also want fewer meltdowns, easier bedtimes, and peaceful transitions. A somatic approach can help navigate challenging emotions and behaviors—especially for those moments when the spaghetti hits the fan.
The N.U.R.S.E. Resiliency Protocol for Empowered Awareness
Working with our triggers to re-tune our nervous system and re-write our story.
What is Social Field Sensing and Why is it Crucial to Social Justice Work?
The beauty of Social Presencing Theatre is that it offers work in the personal body that helps us metabolize and develop stamina for the difficult feelings we experience once we allow inequities within the social body into our consciousness.
What Are Some of the Most Powerful Mind-Body Tools Taught in the Coaching Program?
We recently caught up with the some of the faculty from our Mind-Body Coaching Certificate and asked them “What are some of the most powerful mind-body tools taught in this program?”
Find out what they had to say….
Shifting From “I Can’t” to “I Can” to Create a More Compassionate World
If we wish to transform the “I can’t” response into “I can," we are called to touch upon the cultivation of compassion for ourselves. We are called to tap into our courage and strength, to lean towards our own experience of suffering, both for ourselves and for the world.
- Atira Tan