what we’re talking about
FAQ
a bit more info because I looooooove this stuff
Q: what do you mean by “feel it to heal it“
fully engage in your life
feel
We learn how to identify the emotions and beliefs that come up in our daily life as we face challenges and opportunities. We pause to STAY with them as we observe how our nervous system responds and employ our restorative practices, as needed.
Grounded in our felt experience, we see ourselves clearly and trust ourselves to skillfully make the next right choice that reflects what we value most.
prioritize real-time recovery
restore
When we have engaged responsively to the drain of a challenge (or the adrenaline of opportunity), we remember that we actually get farther faster when we value recovery as much as engagement and prioritize restorative activities to regulate our nervous system.
We appreciate and recommit to the importance of our restorative practices as part of our regular routines; rest, breath, presence, flow, and reflection.
integrate what you learn
heal
Healing is a spiral staircase; we will likely face a similar situation again…but each time, we are a bit farther and wiser. We compassionately consider the effectiveness of our choices; the practices we employed, the outcome, and the impact to our overall wellbeing.
How do we heal? We pay attention, do our best, recover, get curious, reflect, and try again. Every day. Together.
quick tip: there is a lot of info below and might be more comfortably viewed on a screen that doesn’t fit in your palm
Q: why do you teach yoga/meditation/personal narrative classes?
The power of community to integrate new habits. It really is that simple. The experience of our life is largely driven (and often highjacked) by our physiology; our emotions are literally chemical reactions to which our minds instantaneously attach stories. Yoga, developing EQ, attention/awareness practices (ie meditation), regulating breath, and reflective writing are all very powerful approaches to practicing the “pause” that empowers you to choose a response when faced with a challenge or opportunity. It has been my experience that giving myself the time and space to learn and practice with other people helps me remember that we are all human and truly integrates the wisdom into my life. The details of our days may vary but our emotional lives are so very similar. And to be in a room of people learning how to listen to themselves and prioritize the rest and regenerative practices that help them live with less self-judgement and more presence? Yes, please.
Would you like to gather a private practice group for a single session or series? Let’s talk!
Q: what is restorative coaching and how is it structured?
The key to living more fully into your life is to trust that you have what it takes to handle the hard stuff, pursue the great stuff and know how to consistently recover/regenerate that energy. Restorative coaching is designed to holistically address your unique mental, emotional, and physiological wellbeing – giving you a deep well of strength and resilience. Our work together will ground you in the innate intelligence of your mind, body, and emotions and identify the areas that most need support. Most importantly, there is no “template”; I will meet you right where you are with the resources you need and, together, we begin practicing the beliefs and behaviors that will bring your life into alignment with what you truly value. An investment that will create lasting and authentic shifts in the way you approach and appreciate your everyday experience.
1:1 Restorative coaching sessions are 60 or 90 minutes long and scheduled 2x/month in-person or by ZOOM. We begin with a 2hr Foundation session to identify initial areas of focus. As our work progresses, we “follow the nudges” and I am able to support you with an integrated set of tools that are a specific fit for you.
Triad coaching sessions are 90 mins long and scheduled 2x/month in-person or by ZOOM. Each member of the triad receives 1:1 coaching for 30 mins, benefiting from my direct guidance as well as the guidance provided to others. All members of a triad are held to high standards of confidentiality and the relationships become a supportive foundation for change.
The minimum commitment for restorative coaching is a six session series, which allows for my ongoing guidance as we refine your practices. After the initial series, sessions can be booked on an as-needed basis.
Q: how is coaching different than therapy?
In a nutshell? Both can feel exploratory and are driven by a client’s important questions about themselves and their environment.
The primary goal of a therapy relationship is to surface the CAUSE of a mental or emotional state and endeavors to bring healing and closure to the set of circumstances that may have contributed to how you’re feeling your life right now. The therapist creates space for a client’s self-guided work.
Although in coaching, we’re still looking at what motivates your perception and behavior…it’s through the lens of curiosity and experimentation. The primary goal of a coaching relationship is to bring a greater sense of awareness to your life as it is right now with the intent of supporting you in making intentional change. Coaches are actively involved in your process, offering strategies and practices as you progress.
It’s all good! The right fit depends on what you need at any given time. And you can absolutely trust that I will always respect the boundaries between coaching and therapy in our work together and refer to you a very talented network of professionals if that would serve you best.
Q: what is the benefit of private yoga practice design?
Yoga Your Way™ is an opportunity to tailor your personal practice to YOUR body and mind, both refining and amplifying the benefits to your life off the mat. One of my teachers says “bring the pose to the body, not the body to the pose, ” and the yoga sutras agree; yoga practice is ultimately about learning to listen to the wisdom of YOUR body. This doesn’t mean that you can’t enjoy a great yoga class and feel proud of your crow pose! What it means is that you will ultimately get the most benefit out of yoga (physically and emotionally) when it’s actually YOUR yoga.
In this private three session series, we begin with a conversation about your current practice and how you want to feel on your mat. The second session is dedicated to teaching you personalized modifications for both at-home and yoga studio practice. Our third meeting will focus on practice refinements and suggestions for ongoing integration. Pranayama, meditation and resources to support your overall wellbeing will be incorporated, as requested.
Q: what do you mean when you say…?
Here’s a “glossary” to familiarize yourself with the work we’re doing together. I have linked online resources if you’re up for a deeper dive. And the best part of practicing together is that I offer it all in one place!
Emotional Intelligence – EQ: This term has been in popular culture for 20 years and is basically defined as is the capacity to blend thinking and feeling to make conscious choices – which is key to having a successful relationship with yourself and others. Great! But how? Learning to pay closer attention to your emotional experiences and the habitual responses, their impact and what you would like to do differently. Even better…but HOW?
Embodied EQ: The second “how” is where “embodied” comes in...for years I have been working with clients on greater self-awareness and emotional literacy with good effect but the most powerful shifts started when I integrated somatic practices into my work. Given that emotions are physiological phenomena, learning to work with the felt-sense of anxiety, doubt, fear, overwhelm, etc in your body is an almost magical moment of freedom. For example: YOU are not angry, you are feeling anger. And it has something to tell you if you are comfortable being in it with the intent to LISTEN so you can make a choice about how to transform it (or skillfully use it), rather than bouncing it to someone else, trying to scream it out, or stuffing it down. EQ is integrated into everything I offer. We learn to listen to our bodies by getting out of our heads…see below 🙂
Restorative Yoga: These are simple poses (most of them are laying down) that are supported by blankets, blocks, bolsters and straps to reduce/eliminate any effort and signal safety to your nervous system in a frazzled world. I have been training with Judith Lasater (the originator of modern restorative yoga) for many years and have gained a deep appreciation for the power of stillness. well*rested is offered on Tuesday evenings. A deep savasana is also integrated into weekly bodies of water sessions.
iRest Yoga Nidra: iRest® is a simple form of meditation/awareness practice clinically validated to reduce depression, fear and anxiety, reduce insomnia, improve interpersonal relations and personal well-being. If you have trouble getting out of your head, iRest is for you. I offer iRest 1:1, in well*rested sessions and in periodic sit with it workshops.
Vinyasa Flow Yoga: The term vinyasa means “linked” and van be applied to any level of yoga pose. I teach a very gentle, therapeutic style of yoga that invites you to notice your body’s experience, not think about it. Our practice will flow from one pose to another (albeit very slowly) in a sequence that will treat your joints gently, open your heart and settle your busy mind. I offer bodies of water sessions on most Friday mornings and 1:1 yoga practice design in yoga your way private sessions.
Reflective writing: Writing is deeply therapeutic and clarifying and there are hundreds of practices that help you sort through your busy thoughts. I offer both very simple reflective journaling methods and periodic guided writing circles called Write Your Self® which is grounded in methods clinically demonstrated to bring relief from heavy emotional experience.