Our nervous systems have a close relationship with the natural world. The sounds, sights, and sensations of nature speak a language our bodies inherently understand. When we're surrounded by natural environments where we feel safe, our nervous system often shifts into a more regulated state – heart rate steadies, breath deepens, and muscles soften.

Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing, or EMDR for short, has become a widely and commonly used technique for treating PTSD. For many practitioners, it is the top choice for a starting point. As the years have passed and more research has been conducted, what once was heralded as a trauma treatment has seen expanded use. It has seen some transformation and is no longer just an intervention but a comprehensive approach to psychotherapy. 

In today’s fast-paced world, where we’re often caught up in the demands of daily life, somatic intimacy offers a gentle invitation to reconnect with ourselves and others on a deeper level. It’s about more than just physical touch or emotional closeness—it’s about embracing the profound bond between our mind and body and recognizing how this connection influences our overall well-being.

In this crazy, beautiful life, you and I will both experience loss and its constant companion, grief. But I am here to say that in the weeds of grief, unconditional joy is always possible. I’ve experimented with how to live this out in real-time, and this piece highlights my experience.

Healing your wounded heart isn’t easy, but it’s worth it — where to begin to lean into curing your pain.

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 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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

The Hakomi Method offers a unique approach to psychotherapy that combines mindfulness, compassion, and somatic awareness to foster personal growth and healing. Originally developed in the late 1970s by Ron Kurtz, Hakomi is influenced by humanistic psychology and Eastern philosophical traditions.

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.

In a recent session led by renowned psychologist and somatic healing expert, Dr. Arielle Schwartz, participants had the opportunity to experience an enriching movement integration exercise followed by an interactive Q&A session.

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 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.

In the world of trauma recovery, innovative approaches that merge different disciplines hold immense potential. A notable example is the integration of Applied Polyvagal Theory with yoga principles. Join us in reflection of our recent conversation with Dr. Arielle Schwartz, a renowned somatics expert, as she shares insights on the polyvagal perspective and its implications for trauma healing and somatic practices.

Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) is a therapeutic approach that can be used to help individuals process and recover from traumatic experiences. It was developed by psychologist Dr. Francine Shapiro in the late 1980s after she discovered a decrease in her anxiety while moving her eyes from side to side.

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.

By understanding the crucial role of the vagus nerve in establishing balance within the autonomic nervous system and tapping into the mind-body connection through yoga, we can embark on a transformative journey toward healing.