Feeling and Healing
I haven't written a blog in a year; I've been feeling the urge to let things be. I sincerely hope you and your loved ones are well.
Please make sure you read to the end of this blog to find out how to access a free video resource - a Self-Regulation Practice. Or, click on Resources and head to Yoga Audio/Video Recordings!
I have been, like you, coping with, and digesting, the turbulence of the world wide pandemic. At the same time, I have been attending to my busy healing practice. I am grateful to do what I love. Tuesday through Friday I see clients to enhance their health and well-being. I offer in-person work in a beautiful, spacious office on Eglinton Avenue West in Toronto. I facilitate relational somatic healing, which can be understood as a blend of compassionate mindfulness, somatic inquiry, and yoga exploration. I describe myself as a Polyvagal informed practitioner, meaning I work with clients to help them understand and track their autonomic nervous systems so that they can discover how to self-regulate and feel increasingly relaxed and calm. I use sensations, breath, feelings, and thinking to help people understand their experiences and move towards change. This is practical, fulfilling work that allows clients to feel empowered.
One of my favourite pursuits is helping clients to befriend difficult emotions like anger, shame, and sadness. If you are anything like me, perhaps you did not grow up in a family that allowed, or talked about, hard feelings. Consequently, as a young adult, I did not have the experience or skills to be with difficult emotions. This left me ill-equipped to navigate relationships and to be in relationship with myself. I needed education and support and lots of practice in this area. I now know, and teach, that feelings are to be honoured and embraced. They offer us important information and help orient us, yet in our society, uncomfortable feelings are often ignored, minimized, or avoided. I love helping people to recognize and be with their feelings, and communicate in more honest, healthy ways.
A FEW GEMS ABOUT FEELINGS
1. Feelings often come wrapped in physical sensations that manifest in the body. For instance, when I feel sad, I often feel an ache in my chest. When I feel shame, I can feel queasy, spacey, and a hollowness in my torso. Your body is a messenger so try tuning in.
2. No feeling lasts forever. Feelings arrive, peak, and dissipate. Observe this.
3. Get curious about feelings; slow down and ask what wisdom they are offering. For example, fear shows up to keep us safe; it is protective. The gift of anger signals that a boundary has been crossed. Try asking yourself, "Does this feeling require an action?"
4. Hard feelings can get more intense and scary when they are left unexplored; what we resist persists. It wants our attention.
5. Feelings make us real, authentic human beings and they hold the potential to help us connect meaningfully with ourselves and other human beings.
What is the contract you signed early in life about how you do feelings? Ask yourself: how is this working for you?
USEFUL RESOURCES
Here's a free self regulation practice for you; enjoy a short video (approximately ten minutes) of me sharing four techniques that can help you feel grounded, safe, and relaxed. Learn everyday tools for self regulation. You will also get to meet my cat Bender! Do yourself a favour and place yourself in a comfortable position before you start this video.
Have you checked out my Bookshelf on my website recently? There are some great suggestions there on yoga, emotional well-being, spirituality, trauma, and the autonomic nervous system. One of my favourite books that I return to over and over as I start my day is Embers, by Richard Wagamese. It is an inspiring collection of meditations and widsom pieces that will influence your day.
Please note that my counselling practice is currently at capacity, however, my case load is ever evolving. Under Resourceson my website, check out my Audio/video Practices, my highlighted websites, and my virtual bookshelf for information and support.
If you think you may want to work with me, consider reaching out and asking to be placed on my waitlist. I offer 20 minute free telephone consults with interested people to determine if we are a good fit to work together.
Wishing you and your loved ones grace, ease, and connection.
Compassionately,
Lisa