A Poetic Soul Bath In this post, I share with you a poem called “For Now We are Free” that I wrote after the Polyvagal Institute gathering in the fall of 2022. (Learn more about the Polyvagal Institute and sign up to join me at the 2024 Gathering) Polyvagal theory teaches us that our own personal journey of healing and embodiment is intricately connected to other people and the world around us. I invite you to sit back and receive these words. I offer this poem from my heart and as in invitation to a sense of freedom, I hold it as a beacon of hope that this freedom is possible…not just for so ..read more

Therapeutic Practices for Emotional Health As subscribers to my work, you have an opportunity to receive 20% off and Free Shipping through Norton Publishers. You can navigate there and use the code APVTNEWS at checkout or simply use this link (the coupon has already been applied): Pre-Order Now from Norton Treat Trauma Holistically Unresolved trauma is one of the leading causes of other-presenting mental and physical health concerns, including increased likelihood for anxiety, depression, eating disorders, substance abuse, or suicidality. Applied Polyvagal Theory in Yoga allows us to compassi ..read more

30-Hour Certification with The Embody Lab You are invited to step into a journey of empowerment, to learn the power of Applied Polyvagal Theory in Therapeutic Yoga to heal & release trauma and to engage in a quest for wholeness. Through the lens of Polyvagal Theory, you will learn about how the vagus nerve is a bi-directional information highway between mind and body—more importantly, you will learn breath, movement, and awareness practices that become the building blocks of a life-changing daily practice. Stress and trauma can lead to imbalances in the physiology of the autonomic nervous ..read more

A Guided Journey of Resilience, Hope and Growth Baobab tree in sunrise landscape in Kruger National park, South Africa ; Specie Adansonia digitata family of Malvaceae April 1-9, 2024 I will be leading a 9-day Beyond Trauma workshop hosted by Nature Connexion is designed to help you move past trauma, liberate yourself from emotional burdens, and transform your life. Join me as we embark upon a nature-based healing journey in the South African wilderness as I guide you on the path toward post-traumatic growth. Not only will this course demystify trauma and the pain it causes, but it will empower ..read more

Embodied Spirituality Many of us have been taught that our spirituality is something that exists outside of us and that it is disconnected from our bodies. What if those teachings had it backwards? What if your connection to your soul, to your wisest self, lives right here, under your skin, inside of your heart, your belly, your hips. Vagal toning is a way to tap into your body’s intelligence, one breath at a time. The idea that we must seek our source of wisdom from outside of us disconnects us from our intuition…as a result it can become more difficult to make decisions, navigate our relati ..read more

Mindful body awareness awakens you to your inner world…this sensory interior is scientifically referred to as interoception. This key to wellbeing invites you to pay attention to your felt sense. As you get to know the territory of your inner landscape you will learn to trust your gut as a kind of compass that wisely guides your decisions and actions in the world.  Dr. Stephen Porges, who offered us polyvagal theory, refers to interoception as our sixth sense that allows us to become aware of our instinctual responses to our environment (Porges, 2011). Your vagus nerve communicates all o ..read more

Our Shared Hero’s Journey I invite you to think of collective trauma as a call to enter the transformational process of a hero’s journey. Collective trauma refers to the impact of current or historical events that are experienced by groups of people, communities, and society as a whole. American mythologist Joseph Campbell (2008) described the hero’s journey as a “monomyth,” in which a period of ease is tragically disrupted by a crisis that sends us into exile. The hero fights the dragon, retrieves the treasure, and returns to the community with new gifts and healing capabilities.  C ..read more

Awakening to your Felt Sense Embodiment is as an active process of self-discovery that you renew and strengthen by repeatedly attending to your sensations, emotions, and instinctual movement impulses. Mindful body-awareness practices help you learn to sustain the focus of your attention on how your body feels or moves in the present moment. Embodiment in trauma recovery involves setting aside time to focus your attention on your breath and body sensations as related to traumatic events. You attend to the burdens of adversity whether they reside in your body as protective armoring or a lo ..read more

A Restorative Reset Nourish your nervous system (IC: Jes Kimak) The holiday season is quickly approaching; the time of year that is celebrated for being joyful but is frequently stressful. As we approach the darkness of the winter solstice we often feel a natural inclination to rest and take time out from our busy lives. However, this season tends to be emotionally demanding. It can be hard to maintain a sense of inner peace when we feel over-extended or resentful.  Navigating the holidays within the pandemic can also be confusing. You might be asking, “Is it safe to travel?” “Do I wear a ..read more

The Window to your Soul IC: Eyes by Bruno Henrique It is often said that the eyes are a window to your soul. Indeed, your eyes provide great insight into how you are feeling. When we are stressed we tend to furrow our brow which contracts the muscles around your eyes making them appear smaller. When we are tired our eyelids grow heavy. When we feel connected and excited to see someone our eyebrows lift and our eyes appear brighter and larger. While you might try to hide your true emotions by controlling the muscles of your face, you really can’t stop your eyes from revealing how you really fee ..read more