Did you know that your life experiences occur at every level of your being?

Think of the emotional pain, traumatic moments and high-stress situations that you've experienced to date. If you are on the spiritual path, you know that you have to take the time to process these emotions and unpack them.

Oftentimes, we seek help with processing and unpacking our emotions in the form of contemplation, a journal, a trusted companion or a mental health professional. All of which are so useful yet none of which address the story that lives within our bodies...

"We hold our past in our bodies just as surely as we hold memories of the past in our minds." - Swami Ambikananada Saraswati

Connection to our bodies is essential for us to peel back the layers of deep rooted pain from our pasts and become truly free. What happens to so many of us, is that as we continue to push forward in life we neglect to take the time to process and unpack our experiences as they come. Or we only process the pain on one level. Maybe we work through it mentally but not physically. 

Over time, the emotional pain, trauma and stress all continue to pile on until we break down in some way.

We might have emotional dis-ease or we might have a physical dis-ease. I like to think of these moments as profound opportunities for self-realization and growth.

These breakdowns are truly gifts in an ugly package to make us wake up and do things differently. The next time you find yourself feeling broken or in a state of dis-ease. Let it be a mirror shining back to you that shows you where you need to grow. 
           
My work as a Yoga Therapist allows me to hold space and guide people to show up fully in their body, mind and spirit. Oftentimes, my students come to me at the point of breakdown or right after when they're ready for new tools to navigate life. 

​Yoga teaches us to listen to the story that lives within our body, empowers us to stop avoiding processing our darker experiences and enables us to really let go. 

​The purpose of self-work and healing work is ultimately to have a better life. 

We want to feel joy in every cell of our bodies, we want rewarding relationships, self-confidence, decreased anxiety or to carry less of a heavy weight around with us. 

These are wonderful things to invest time and energy into cultivating! 

But... for many people their approach is lacking in key areas. 

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We tend to be fixated on our minds. 

We are so good at thinking, analyzing, formulating beliefs and judgements, etc. 

But you can't use your mind alone to heal and grow... your body and spirit need to be an active part of the process.The purpose of self-work and healing work is ultimately to have a better life. 

Sometimes the simplest truths are the hardest ones to grasp and put into practice. 

For example, we all know that we have a body, mind and spirit. But actually being able to feel into each of these, harmonize them and harness their unique power is a different thing. 

So much stands in our way.

From lack of education, to disconnection from self, culture and so much more. 

The work I do as a Yoga Therapist is rooted in an eastern medicine approach that focuses on the whole person - body, mind and spirit. 

So much of the suffering we experience like anxiety, depression, dysfunctional habits, relationship struggles, digestive issues and stress are all linked back to trauma as a root cause. 

Trauma that's impacted our body, nervous system, the way our mind words and our ability to express ourselves (among other things.) 

You see, much of the suffering we experience like anxiety, depression, dysfunctional habits, relationship struggles, digestive issues and stress are all linked back to trauma at the root. Trauma that’s impacted our body, nervous system, the way our mind works and ability to express ourselves (among other things). 

The answer right in front of us is that feeling better lies within our ability to strengthen our relationship with our body, mind and spirit. 

For everyone I’ve ever met and worked with, this simple sounding thing of strengthening our relationship with our body, mind and spirit takes real conscious effort, vulnerability, support and growth. 

Sending love to each of you as you do your own version of this work for yourself and I’m here to support you!

​If you want some guidance and community to lift the weight of depression this fall, join me for an in person Yoga for Depression series. Classes begin this November at Pettigru Counseling Associates. See details here. 

Three things your body needs to improve your mental health and integrate the trauma that keeps you suffering...

1. Love and Attention
- Your body needs you to be aware of it, feel what it feels like, listened to and honored.

2. Therapeutic Movement
- This can take on so many forms but my favorite is Yoga. Yoga offers an impressive spectrum of benefits to body, mind and spirit in one package. Other movements that I love in this season of my life are: walking in nature, ecstatic dance, strength training, somatic healing practices and play.

3. Nervous System Regulation
- For most people nervous system dysregulation is just a part of our lives. Our nervous systems can become chronically in fight/flight/freeze mode, go there easily and have trouble regulating back to a more easeful state. Learning about our nervous systems and engaging in practices that help train our nervous system are super helpful.

If you're interested in learning more about this, I have open spaces for new Yoga Therapy and Spiritual Life Coaching virtual & in person, as well as, upcoming programs that are launching locally in Greenville, SC. 

Trauma is that thing that keeps us stuck, repeating the same old patterns and feeling limited.

The good news is, it doesn't have to be that way.

In my experience 3 things are really important when healing from past trauma and learning how to become more resilient in the future.
1. Safety
2. Support
3. Integrative Approach (body, mind and spirit)

I currently have two ways to do direct trauma integration work with me:

• private Yoga Therapy and Spiritual Life Coaching (click here for details)
• my upcoming Trauma Informed Yoga Series for those local to #greenvillesc

PS The examples given are just a snapshot, there are too many to mention.

As a Mom of two young children and person who wants to feel my best each day, I prioritize sleep in a very conscious way. Dr. Suzannah Bozzone who focuses on lifestyle medicine, once said every decision we make is either adding to our health or taking away from it. I feel the same. As important as sleep is, putting in some intentional effort goes a long way towards getting our needs met. 

Here are three bedtime rituals that I do each evening that help me get a great night of sleep: 

1. A set bedtime.

• Research and experience show that going to sleep and waking up at the same time each day is an important part of tending to our sleep wellness. I generally listen to my body and some nights I feel the call to go to sleep earlier. My bedtime is focused on the latest I choose to stay up because I know if I stay up past 11pm I feel the negative effects the next day. 

2. A magnesium lotion foot massage.

• Self-touch is an incredibly soothing and grounding practice. The vast majority of people are deficient in magnesium and it helps with everything from nervous system regulation to muscle cramps, in addition to sleep. 

3. A pre-sleep meditation or breathing practice.

• ​Each night, I sit on pillows in the dark of my bedroom, atop my cozy bed and meditate or do a soothing breathing practice for 5-20 minutes. It's been incredibly impactful to add this into my bedtime ritual. I definitely notice my mind is more busy and my sleep is more disrupted by reoccurring thoughts if I skip a night. 

What are your favorite bedtime rituals? 

Starting in August, my virtual Restorative Yoga programs launches. Click here if you're interested in learning more. 

We all know it, we feel better when we get a good night of sleep. 

When well rested:

• We meet the challenges of the day with more grace and patience
• Our bodies feel more energetic and less achy 
• We accomplish more and have better cognitive functioning

And so much more, the significance of sleep can’t be understated. 

Yet for many people, we spend our days busy and when it’s time to turn out the lights, sleep is elusive. Maybe it takes you a while to fall asleep, perhaps you become anxious when you lay down in bed, have a busy mind, young kids who wake you up frequently or struggle with insomnia. 

Whatever is keeping you from the sleep you need, Restorative Yoga can help you get a better night of sleep. 

Restorative Yoga is designed to help you relax and release tension. In this practice, you’ll spend time creating a cozy resting place in supported postures using props like blankets, pillows and bolsters (if available). Once settled into the poses your body releases into the support of the props and the stress you’re holding onto melts away. You’ll spend several minutes laying down while being guided through relaxing meditations and soothing breathwork. 

Sound like something you want to experience? 

Join me for a virtual Restorative Yoga class series, Restful Night, starting in August. Each Sunday night we’ll meet from 8-8:45pm EST for a calming and healing practice from the comfort of your home.