Somatic Immersion Training for Wellness Professionals
As always, I've got lots to share. But I'll ease in with a little self-disclosure....
We all have moments when we feel overwhelmed, and whether it's conscious or not, we make a choice. The overwhelm is uncomfortable so we can either shut it down (check out, numb out, or distract in all the ways) or go into thinking overdrive (get anxious or reactive, ruminate, rant, catastrophize, you name it). But sometimes we open door number three and remind ourselves that there are tools and resources we can use to settle down and get curious about what's actually happening.
I had one of those moments a few days ago. I was in a bit of a funk - the shut-down kind. I could tell that I had stuff to feel that I couldn’t quite feel and I felt sticky and unmotivated. So I gave myself some time just to settle in and breathe. I’ve been doing this long enough to know that whether I’m feeling checked out or overwhelmed, the place to start is with my breath. I can use it to calm myself or perk myself up. So I did that. I used a breathing technique that helped me feel less checked out, more grounded, and more alive.
Then I sat in the quiet for a bit. And by that, I mean, I took some time to notice the craziness in my head. I noticed what kinds of thoughts were coming through and most importantly, I noticed the tone of the thoughts coming through. And what I heard in this mix of to-do lists, and a weird conversation I hadn't let go of from the night before, and thinking about what to make for dinner, and a wondering about whether we'd ever get snow again, was a sort of sneaky, judgy, voice that said something like, "I can’t believe your head is this noisy and you can’t even feel what you’re actually feeling. Don’t you teach this stuff?" And then in response to noticing that critical tone, I had a second tug of, "I can’t believe you teach self-compassion and you’re beating yourself up for not knowing what this funk is about." It was a rabbit hole of unfriendliness and judgment speaking softly but harshly in the mix of 100 other thoughts. And still no awareness of what the funk was about.
Then I reminded myself that in order to get to the center of what we are feeling, we have to start from a place of safety (because feelings can be scary), which means I had to get out of the judgment and find a kinder tone.
So I grabbed another tool that always brings me to a softer, friendlier place. I conjured up my adorable younger-self (humble brag), and imagined wrapping her up in my arms. And I just hung out with her for a bit. I offered up a mantra and some general kindness and reminded her that it was okay to feel stuff and I sat with a compassion meditation for a few minutes until I was feeling safe and connected.
And that’s when I was ready to truly notice what was up. The actual insight came once I felt grounded and connected to myself. Once I felt like I was actually on my own side, I could explore the deeper current. I settled into the grief and fear and anger arising around current events and the state of the world and the catastrophic thinking I'd been doing. I talked to the different parts of myself that were in conflict around all the feelings and then I asked those parts what they needed. The sad part needed a good cry and some journaling, the fear part needed to breathe and ground and be reassured, and the angry part needed a task – a place to find action and agency.
But most importantly, they all needed a voice. And I needed to untangle the voices so I could actually listen to each part and give them my attention. When I was done, I didn't get up and skip around the room or do a jig, but I did feel way less stuck, way more grounded and way more loving with myself. And I had a very simple plan that helped me feel more engaged and more alive.
This is just one way you might have a conversation with your body. And there are so many fun ways to do this. All you need is a real desire to listen and a healthy dose of curiosity! Your body already has all the answers. You just need the skills to listen.
That's where the Somatic Immersion comes in. This course is a response to a few questions:
What does a deeper conversation with my body look and feel like?
How do I stop asking google and my partner and everyone else around me what to do and find the answers inside?
How do I live a human life full of grief and love and fear and courage and anger and compassion and also suffer less?
How do I care for myself more profoundly?
If these are some of the questions you hold, let's explore them together!
Here are the details....
Somatic Immersion: A Unique Yoga Therapy Journey
6, 90 minute, personal exploration classes, beginning February 25
You can join via Zoom, in person, or watch the recordings at your own pace
On Zoom, Tuesdays, Feb 25 - April 1, 6 - 7:30 pm MST
In Person, Fridays, Feb 27 - April 3, 10 - 11:30 am
Or mix and match as your schedule allows
Somatic Immersion Training: A Body-Centered Therapeutic Model for Wellness Professionals
The Full Somatic Immersion + Companion Training = 30 hours
For yoga therapists and teachers, mental health professionals, coaches, and mentors, who wants to practice somatic, mindfulness skill facilitation
8 weeks, February 21 - April 17
First you experience it, then you learn to facilitate it
6 personal experience sessions (90 min each) + 7 training sessions (2 hours each) + at home reflection and practice
First training session, Saturday, February 21, 10am (hybrid, in-person in SLC with zoom on)
If you would like to chat this week, send me an email. I'd love to help you explore whether the immersion or companion training are a good fit for you.
Much love,
Rachel
Other ongoing offerings...
Yoga + Nature + Culture, Retreat to Southern Spain, March 14-20, 2027. Register now to save your spot - space is limited.
If you like practicing online, join the Your Yoga community! We meet on zoom for yoga and meditation 4 times a week and you'll have access to 100's of recorded classes in the Your Yoga library. Register here to start your free 7-day trial.
Or work with me one-on-one. I offer yoga therapy, mindfulness mentoring, yoga instruction and personal and professional mentoring. Reply to this email if you'd like to chat about whether this is the right time and fit for you.
And if you prefer self-study, choose from a variety of pre-recorded mindfulness workshops and courses and explore at your own pace.