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https://docs.google.com/document/d/13uSiZ2dKA-320IB06x-5ZNFwUoKVO4qnR-CHK5TtIqY/edit?usp=sharing

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EC Unit One:  Arriving at Embodied Practice 1.2 V2

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What do you want us to know about your practice between November 28 and December 4?

I started my practice by tapping into my enteric system first as it fascinated me when i was reading about it, and then continued exploring the cells, fluids and vascular system. Some days 20 mins felt like forever and other days, when i was less distracted, it seemed to pass quickly. Lying down was the best position for me as I found it was less distracting. It fascinates me how alive each of the spaces where my awarenss was placed felt so much more alive.

What have you learnt about embodied practice?

The scope of what embodied practice encompasses is so vast, deep, rich and multi-layered. Experiences can vary from session to session due to so many factors. Each session holds its own wisdom.

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https://docs.google.com/document/d/1P-HJ_AIAgud6ycSsAEltZbRPdcynpzfo-r-dYpSgeQk/edit?usp=sharing

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EC Unit 3: Embodied Processes 3.1/Part two

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https://docs.google.com/document/d/1L3RV7SFjr_jwBya5DPx8WnrXTlbCW1jsQJhuP9hCMIM/edit?usp=sharing

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EC Unit 3: Embodied Processes 3.1 part A

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Part 2

What have you learnt about embodied practice?

Having the intention for daily practice of at least 15 minutes felt supportive. I appreciated having variety and choice as to what that practice looked like (I gave myself two options). I also enjoyed having variety as to whether I practised alone, whether I practised in session or co regulated with a family member or one of my dogs.

Regularly practising allowed me to become  familiar with the structure of the practice and sit with the awkwardness or the stumbling that sometimes happened when trying to add language and coach someone else through it.

I have learnt that when my days are too busy and full, and when I do not leave gaps or create intentional space for embodiment, I do not get to slow down and this contributes to me feeling burnt out, overstimulated and on my way to a meltdown. I have since started blocking out embodied prac breaks to prioritise embodiment and holding myself to this which has been useful.

Finally, the more established I get in my practices, at times I notice fewer distractions coming up or when sensory (usually sound) distractions are present, I feel more resourced to cope with them.

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Task 6, meet with classmates

Reflection of the embodiment practices during unit one, two and three. Plan for a week of embodied practices. Include one new practice to explore. Include ways to support each other's practice.

Task seven

Follow the practice plan. After each practice, reflect briefly on learning. End of seven days,

breif summary on what I learnt and what I want others to know about the practice.

One of my practices was to self massage with sesame oil. It was not so much massage but I felt good using the oil and it was not difficult to follow this practice as it was something my body wanted to do. I felt like I want the wish to come from my body instead of forcing it to do something and want it to react in some way.

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3.1

Task one

what are the feedback loops?

prefrontal cortex, lower brain centers, and rest of the body.

what is intelligence?

Thoughts are products of processes that are unconscious.

in what ways are cellular intelligens considered intelligent?

The most basic organismic communication system is the cellular membrane of the unicellular organism. It receives chemical, electrical and mechanical input from internal cellular functioning.

The cellular membrane makes decisions about what to take into the cell, what to discharge, what to retain, and what to exclude.

In the human body there are about 100 trillion human cells.

Everything that happens within our bodies physiologically happens of the level of the cells.

The mind exists in every cell of the body,

in what ways are vascular intelligence intelligent?

When multicellular organisms evolved a new form of communication, vascular communication also evolved. Still relying on chemical messengers, vascular systems could provide organized, fluid channels of communication that both sped up and directed the communication process within an organism. Circulatory systems are fundamental to communication within the human organism. Being a living system, it interacts with the information exchanged and not only transports it. Vascularity provided a foundation for the development of the first nervous system.

what is the basic function of the nervous system?

The nervous system developed six hundred million years ago when the first invertebrates evolved. These basic nervous systems were designed  for locomotion,  to coordinate muscular activity.

Sensory data is coming in and motor responses going out.

what role does the amygdala play in regulation?

The Amygdala is part of the limbic system and is not conscious, it reacts automatically to threat and danger for example. It is difficult to access.

what social roles does the vagus and other cranial nerves have?

The vagus nerve is leading information from the brain to the body and the body to the brain.

Task two

What is embodiment?

(Brian Swimme) Human being is the self aware function of the universe, to witness and appreciate the universal splendor.

In order to fulfill our function withoín the universe we must fully regain our senses.

We must fully develop our ability to sense and respond to the universe. Fundamental to this is the task of reintegrating our bodies and mind. Must occur within each of us individually and between humankind and the rest of the planet. On an individual level, we could call this task embodiment.

moment to moment process by which beings allow awareness to enhance the flow of thoughts, feelings, sensations, and energies through our bodily selves. Requires the creative ability to allow the life of the universe to move through our bodies, be coloured by our unique experience, and move back out into the world. Flow of life through us. Life comes into us as food, air, liquid, sights, sounds and more organized experiences.

The elegant and creative integration of these elements into the totality of our being,

These elements are thoroughly processed and expressed in our unique relationship to the world. Grounding and flowing relationship between ourselves and the rest of the  world.

Ability to feel yourself through the world and to integrate feelings and thoughts with elegance is a hallmark of embodiment, a seemingly infinite process.

Sensitivity, articulation, ability to listen to the body, express with the body, process more energy precisely.

Task three

interests from chapter 12:

I find quantum field very interesting

Task four

current conception of the consciousness: I agree with that it exists in every cell

second best guess: That it is more ethereal

In what way might my concept of consciousness impact or inform my work?

As a body therapist I think about the consciousness in the body

Task five

Daily embodied practice 20 min

Day one, vascular system

What I noticed/learned: I enjoyed the idea thinking about my vascular system and thinking about movement and life

Day two, observe, be aware of the cells in my body

What I noticed/learned: I get a bit overwhelmed by this idea

Day three, observe/be aware of skeleton of the body

What I noticed/learned: I feel structure and cann make sense of my body

Day four, observe/be aware of the emotion of the body

What I noticed/learned: The emotions are not clear but I connect my distractions to emotions

Day five, observe/be aware of the mind

What I noticed/learned: This is what I am used to, I try to not this this is how I become aware of my mind

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The First Force: Psychodynamic

Who are some of the significant theorists that developed this approach, and when were they working?

Freud end of 1800 and 1900

What’s the connection between psychoanalytic theory and psychodynamic theory?

They both focus on the unconscious mind

What are some of the important concepts and theories included in this approach?

The unconscious

What and where is the mind?

It is divided in different conscious levels. I would say it is connected to the brain?

What is transference and counter-transference?

Between therapist and client this happens during sessions, clients projections of their feelings about someone else unto the therapist, counter transference is the therapists projections onto the client

What are some techniques or strategies employed by psychodynamic therapists?  Free association, speech

What are the roles of therapist and client?

Hierarchical where the therapist has more power

What are some of the different approaches or psychotherapeutic schools that might be included in the “first force”?

Psychoanalysis, psychodynamic therapy

What are some limitations of these approaches?

They can be stuck talking about the past

What is useful within these approaches?

It allows time for the clients process

Researching the Three Main Forces in Psychotherapy that Precede Somatic Approaches

The Second Force: Cognitive-Behavioural

Who are some of the significant theorists that developed this approach, and when were they working?

B.F. Skinner, John Watson became popular in 1950's

What type of world view does this approach suggest?

That the brain can be trained

What are some of the important concepts and theories included in this approach?

It is based on the cognitive mind

What is the relationship between thoughts, behaviours and emotions?

The behaviors and emotions are result of the thoughts, if you change your thoughts your behavior changes

What might the mind be in this approach?

Also the brain?

What are some central tasks of cognitive-behavioural therapy?

It can be very useful for working with phobia for example

What are some techniques and strategies employed by cognitive-behavioural therapists?

You have different exercises to train yourself

What are the roles of therapist and client?

Also hierarchical

What are some of the different approaches or psychotherapeutic schools that might be included in the “second force”?

Cognitive behavioral therapy

What are some limitations of these approaches?

They might not go so deep

What is useful within these approaches?

It can help to change unwanted behavior

Researching the Three Main Forces in Psychotherapy that Precede Somatic Approaches

The Third Force: Existential - Humanistic

Who are some of the significant theorists that developed this approach, and when were they working? van Deurzen, Stiwne  working today

What type of world view does this approach suggest?

They build the theory on existentialism for example, they want to bring in the spiritual

What are some of the important concepts and theories included in this approach?

The client has a lot of agency and the spiritual is important

Why is the work of Carl Rogers considered revolutionary, and how influential is it on modern psychotherapy?

It is a client centered approach

What are therapists working within these approaches interested in?

To move away from the hierarchical

What types of strategies might be employed?

Giving the client more agency

What are the roles of therapist and client?

Non hierarchical

What are some of the different approaches or psychotherapeutic schools that might be included in the “third force”?

Existential therapy

What are some limitations of these approaches?

More freedom could feel difficult for a client who have problems and want help

What is useful within these approaches?

It gives the client more power

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Task 1: Reflect and take notes on the following questions:

What was the practice like? What were your distractions? What did you learn?

I noticed I didn't feel much emotions. It was meditative to observe myself. I tried to not think so much.

What is useful about intentionally allowing what is there to be there?

It was useful to allow myself to experience and notice if I had any feelings that wanted to show.

What would happen if you evaluated what you are experiencing through the body?

I find every body experience valuable, it was nice to give attention to it.

Task 2 Reflect and take notes on the following questions:

What does “self” mean to you? Letting myself be accepted with how I feel and what feels natural to me.

What qualities do you have that support your work with clients?

I'm calm and respectful to my clients. I also want to let them have their own process and give them space.

What qualities do you want to cultivate moving forward?

I would like to speak openly about anything

What quality did you choose to practice with? openness

How might you develop that quality further in you through embodied practice? Write your practice plan here: I listen to my clients and I am open to what they want to talk about in a non judgmental way. I find that people have confidence for different reasons and from me I feel like they have confidence if they don't feel threatened or judged.

Task 3 In simple language write a response to this question (just a paragraph or 2, between 1 and 300 words):

What is important for you to bring to your interactions with clients?

It is important for me to be warm and allowing, relaxed and confident about boundaries and my own intentions in helping a client.

Task 4 Write a brief response to these questions:

What did you resonate with in what you read from Aposhyan?

I resonated a lot with that development continues all life, and the importance of the therapist's own embodiment training.

What do you want to practice, explore, or experiment with?

Respect to the body of not trying to change it but to listen to it and allow it to express oneself.

Task 5

Take some notes on what you noticed intending to attend from different body perspectives for attending pair 2:

I noticed that my listening became more embodied and I didn't try to come up with solutions, I was just listening.

Task 6

Write a summary (no more than 300 words) of what you learnt from the tasks in this lesson

I learnt that listening is often enough and that the speaker could sense compassion even when there was no dialogue. I felt happy as well when sharing.

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Task 1:

What was that like? What are you noticing in your body? How did you work with distractions?

It felt calming. I noticed some stress as well. I accepted that my mind drifted off an let it come back to my breath.

In what ways might this be useful for clients? What type of clients?

This can be useful before a session to quiet down a mind especially for people who arrive a bit stressed and have difficult to calm down.

Task 2:

What was that like? What are you noticing in your body? Were you attached to feeling your heartbeat, or was it enough to feel for it?

It felt a bit unusual at first but I could feel my heart beat and it was a nice calming feeling. I also felt that it was enough to not feel so much.

What might this be like for clients?

It can feel strange but also nice I imagine.

Task 3:

List distractions you commonly experience in embodied practice.

Concentration problems, if my body/mind is activated I also don't want to force my body to calm down, then I prefer doing something else.

Task 4:

What are some simple, non-judgemental words that describe some of your distractions?

Activation

How might you support clients in working with their distractions?

Accepting them and not be upset about them

Task 5:

What was that like? What did you learn?

It was nice that I could notice a lot of sensations in one minute and I think about how I.m not aware of this most of the time

In what ways might this be useful and challenging for clients?

It is useful to quiet down and not do anything, it can be challenging if they dont think it is useful even if its just for a couple of minutes of the time. But it needs to be introduced and discussed to function so it will take longer time. It can be good to do repeatedly in beginning of sessions.

Task 6:

List some questions you might reflect on after practice.

What was my distraction?

How did it feel

How was my mood

You do not need to share the reflection notes you make in your journal, but briefly summarize what you learnt here:

I noticed how it was difficult to get into a good mood, I feel like I need to feel that it is something coming from my body rather than my mind deciding to do it.

Task 7:

Describe 3 different embodied practices you or your clients might explore. These may be practices you have learnt through studying various traditions or with various teachers. Attempt to make up at least one of the practices yourself. (Please share one of these on the padlet).

Scream-sing a song from your childhood that you know by heart (nursery rhyme) in a way that you want everyone to hear you and nothing else. Do this in front of other people and look at them while you do this.

Task 8:

When you have completed the coaching, take some time to reflect on the process, then make some notes about the experience. Some possible questions to reflect on:

What was coaching like for you? What was it like for your volunteer? What worked well? What might you do differently? What do you want to practice more of? What did you notice in your body while coaching?

It was really nice for me to do the coaching. I was a bit nervous, but I felt really happy to lead someone in this practice. I wanted to prepare more but I also feel like I need to decide in the moment from what feels right. I was happy I could sense that my client became relaxed and that they appreciated it. I want to do it more often to get experience.

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Thank you :-)

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Lie down on your back and let the weight of your body be carried by the support underneath you. Feel how you let go of your head, your hips, your back, your legs and the heels of your feet.

Take notice of where your breath is and just observe without changing it. Just listen to your breath for a moment.

Take notice of your diaphragm, how does it move? Notice your pelvis, is it relaxed? Is it possible to relax here maybe a bit more? Does it move when you breathe? Feel if you can feel a connection with your diaphragm and let it move together. When you breathe in your diaphragm and pelvis moves down, see if you can allow this movement. When you breath out the body contracts, see if you can allow this movement too.

Notice the effect of this practice and let go of your attention.

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https://docs.google.com/document/d/1e2-g2OyDbfugE88ZFrhkzbqHfXke-0RiDcYKcXrUJcI/edit?usp=sharing

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https://docs.google.com/document/d/1kg4WTP9utYrcKdHSBI9ecc8DLaN2qaNA/edit?usp=sharing&ouid=106687288794843540679&rtpof=true&sd=true

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Lesson 1.2 Write Your Responses Here.docx

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https://docs.google.com/document/d/1KSBPWN0qtpRUTVIG4rxGnETujoUAE-5pFkp6LNOgK28/edit?usp=sharing

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Create a new document and edit with others at the same time -- from your computer, phone or tablet. Get stuff done with or without an internet connection. Use Docs to edit Word files. Free from Google.

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https://docs.google.com/document/d/1PAeOUT72mFRjVs733Bw93uzCcwzw42msOmzphLpmDqw/edit?usp=sharing

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Create a new document and edit with others at the same time -- from your computer, phone or tablet. Get stuff done with or without an internet connection. Use Docs to edit Word files. Free from Google.

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https://www.dropbox.com/s/ckqfyr6299mh795/EC%20December%205%202022.mp4?dl=0

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Apologise for the delay. I am catching up :-)

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Answers Lesson 3.1 Write Your Responses Here

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Ironically, this would be better slower, as are many things! Please make it your own. You can also find Dr Betty Martin on her website.

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https://docs.google.com/document/d/1LxOxmNjXBvl3u8WmYnBcJsXhF7bInQO9/edit?usp=sharing&ouid=106687288794843540679&rtpof=true&sd=true

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Lesson 3.1 Write Your Responses Here.docx

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Reattaching as a PDF

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Feelings and ownership. Task three and four

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Feelings and ownership. Task three and four

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Above is what I have completed for Part 1. Naming and taking ownership of the fact that I am finding it difficult to understand Chapter 12, so therefore, unable at this stage to complete task 3 and 4. Feeling tension and constriction in my being, and past trauma surfacing. Aknowledging this as medicine, and endevouring to move into this to allow what needs to reveal. Feeling new pathways forming in the simplicity of sharing this with you all and not following old pathways of running away. Showing up!

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https://docs.google.com/document/d/1sVgKpgQRIKdKjMbWddUI98XVi-1eFCoVzatpF37TAnM/edit?usp=sharing

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Create a new document and edit with others at the same time -- from your computer, phone or tablet. Get stuff done with or without an internet connection. Use Docs to edit Word files. Free from Google.

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https://www.dropbox.com/s/oioze5zeopmxptv/EC%20Novemberr%2028%202022%20Q%20and%20A.mp4?dl=0

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Answers - Lesson 2.1 Write Your Responses Here

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https://www.dropbox.com/s/7qbyqi713miet8e/EC%2023%20November%202022.mp4?dl=0

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Sorry I forgot to upload this after our class last night! Thanks :)

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https://www.dropbox.com/s/2y8iou5eo9i76zc/EC%202022%20November%2014.mp4?dl=0

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https://www.dropbox.com/s/onh91lgloyai2x7/EC%20October%207%202022.mp4?dl=0

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https://www.dropbox.com/s/k9mprsm8dyixet3/EC%202022%20November%202.mp4?dl=0

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https://docs.google.com/document/d/1e-UFJxNI2fjy3yBJuI1poWZ9SE-qm_oQ/edit?usp=sharing&ouid=106687288794843540679&rtpof=true&sd=true

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1. Starts with nervous system education (Deb Dana)

1. Notice. Bring awareness to your autonomic state. Use what you learned about your autonomic states and tune in.

2. Name. Stay out of story and identify your state. Where are you on your autonomic map?

3. Repeat these two steps often. Create ease with this practise until you can quickly and accurately place yourself on your autonomic map

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I'll be guiding you in an exploration of your breath. As I do, I'll ask different questions to bring awareness to different attributes, there's no need to respond. These are just for you to internally reflect on and notice.

Find a comfortable position - sitting, lying down, standing. Bring awareness to your breath, without changing it - noticing how you are breathing today - knowing there is no right, or wrong. This is just about bringing curiosity and awareness to what is in this moment. If you notice judgement as we go along, be curious about that too.

Are you breathing shallowly, or deeply?
Are you breathing into your nose, throat, chest or belly or all or neither?
Can you feel your breath?
Are you holding your breath at any point -after the inhale or exhale, or is it a continous rolling breath?
Is your inhale or exhale longer than the other, or are they about equal?
Is there any tightness when breathing?
Is there any relief or relaxation when breathing?
Does bringing awareness to your breath change it? If so, how?

Now, let's just take a minute just to be. Now let's take one minute to reflect on what you noticed in this experience.

When you are ready, bring your awareness back to the room around you for a few breaths, and then when ready after that back to the call.

I'm curious what you noticed?

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Hello everyone, I'm happy to have met many of you already. I'm based in Sweden and is working as a yoga teacher and body therapist, craniosacral therapy and ayurvedic oil massage which is my new favorite. I also want to teach more somatic methods maybe Feldenkrais or Alexander technique which I had a lot of good experiences with. I want to do more standing practices :)

I love dancing, tango, kizomba, brazilian zouk and also acro yoga, I guess it is about the collaboration. Acro can be a challenge that you often need to collaborate more than two people, it is interesting in new ways.

"Originally" I am in visual arts and work with painting. This is what I want to do but at the moment I think too much about this embodiment stuff, I don't know why.. I also want to train in psychoanalysis so I guess I want to help people as a part time job. It means a lot to me to feel good in my body. I used to work part time with taking care of very ill people, having the feeling that there are so many ways to be sick.. (sounds strange to say). Now I also became ill myself in similar auto immune and rheumatic strange disorders, it feels a bit strange and it's obvious that anyone could be sick but health and our bodies are our best friends, this is want I want to work with as well from an uplifting and joyful perspective <3

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Hi all,

My name is Mandy and I'm currently  living in Lismore, in the Northern Rivers NSW. I'm hoping it does not rain too much again. We wouldn't make it through another flood!
This is take two of this course for me... And  I've had opportunity to gain more self awareness with various expressions of trauma in and through my body. I feel I've always had an interest in people, relationships with curiosity and exploring on the elements that create and sustain wellness.  I am a mama to 5 offspring, which in itself has provided heaps of material and much challenge and joy! I currently have 4 at home again, and pre flood was starting exploration and service in the field of massage/body work.
Grateful for this course as an opportunity to learn and integrate my own practice and expand my offerings to people to eventually include discussions around embodied relating and all things intimate.
Really looking forward to getting to know you all and hopefully creating a community of practice where we can support each other in the language and deeper self awareness to integrate these teachings.
Thanks. 🔥🏵️💛

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Task 1: Reflect and take notes on the following questions:

What was that like? What are you noticing in your body? How did you work with distractions?

One minute felt like a long time.  Many thoughts and sensations arose.  “Have I had lunch? Thoughts drifted to this evening and what I have planned.  Listening to external sounds.”

I was easily distracted away from my breath.

I noticed in my body - tingling in my feet, light and symbols behind my eyes, my heart beat, the discomfort and tension in my shoulders and neck, the way my hair fell on my cheeks, how I was holding my belly in,  and the sensation of my tongue against my teeth.

From these noticing, what became apparent was the ever moving, changing, energetic sensations in my being.  Fluid and constant shifts and flow.

I kept judgement at a minimum when I noticed I was distracted.  I simply re centered and focused on my breath again.  Feeling the sensation of air through my nostrils, the sensation of my lungs filling and emptying.

In what ways might this be useful for clients? What type of clients?

This is a simple, yet powerful practice.  It would be a useful tool to use when clients are feeling stuck in their being and emotions.  When they are feeling there is no movement, change or fluidity to what they are feeling.  Bringing them into their body in this way, allows this to be seen readily.

It is a short, succinct practice that can be undertaken anywhere, this easy access, yet deeply embodied practice, requires minimal effort and much gain.  It is a useful tool for any client's kete.

I could use this embodiment practice with clients I see in Yoni Massage.  If they are moving through release in their body and become stuck or freeze in their process, gently taking them through this exercise would be of benefit.  Also following a session, when we are debriefing, using this tool would bring benefit, and supporting them in using this in their own space, to shift and reveal.

Task 2: Reflect and take notes on the following questions:

What was that like? What are you noticing in your body? Were you attached to feeling your heartbeat, or was it enough to feel for it?

The experience was calming.  A space to simply just be with what is.  Feeling and sensing what arises, simply noticing and letting it go.  I felt my shoulders relax and let go, I was unaware I was holding them so tightly!

My heartbeat was consistent, rhythmic and I felt a sense of comfort.  I could feel the pulse of my heart expanding through my chest, I envisioned my heart pumping my blood throughout my circulatory system.  I became aware of my breath and the rhythm that it held.  I felt the sensation of my jaw being tight and my tongue sitting on the roof of my mouth.

I felt as though I floated in and out of feeling my heartbeat.  Many times I would get distracted and re-return.  Reminding myself that simply feeling for it was enough.  This was encouraging.

What might this be like for clients?

This is a quick and simple process to support a client to move back into their body if they have become disassociated.  I sometimes see in Yoni Massage, if trauma is unlocked somatically in the body, a woman can disassociate with the emotion, sensation, feeling in their being.  SUpporting them to come back into their heart, and heartbeat is a beautiful, gentle approach to guiding them to land back in their body.  To then continue to the journey of exploration.

Task 3: List distractions you commonly experience in embodied practice.

Attaching to feeling nothing or very little

Allowing external distractions to take awareness out of the body

Questioning why I am feeling a certain sensation in my body

Not being in the present moment and simply being

Awareness of other peoples energy in my field

Wondering “if it is working?”

Task 4: What are some simple, non-judgemental words that describe some of your distractions?

Expanding, floating, changing awareness, curiosity.

How might you support clients in working with their distractions?

Gently bringing them back to self.  Awareness of sensations in their body, their breath or heartbeat.

Gently using words to land them back in their body - returning, coming home, bringing awareness back to…

Providing a calm and peaceful space.  Minimal distraction and noise.  Encouraging them to turn their phone to silent.  Gentle music.  Setting the ambience of the space in which they are in.

Task 5: Reflect and take notes on the following questions:

What was that like? What did you learn?

Sensations in my body - tingling soles of feet, feeling my heartbeat, feeling my hands clasped together, tension in the right side of my neck, tension in my jaw, feeling my stomach digesting food, ringing in my ears.

The experience was peaceful.  A subtle practice to simply allow what is.  I felt I tuned into my breath, whilst scanning and experiencing my bodies sensations.

I learnt/remembered that my body is ever changing.  Sensations arise and fall in the nothingness.  Swirling, ebbing and flowing. Nothing in the body is constant. always open to the next moment.

In what ways might this be useful and challenging for clients?

It would be useful in regards to my above comments.  Allowing them to recognise their body and sensations are ever changing and flowing.  This supports the concept that nothing is permanent, this could be reassuring if someone is experiencing a challenging emotion or trauma has revealed, sometimes these experiences can feel large and consuming.  This practice is a beautiful reminder that like the body, this too can shift.

Task 6: List some questions you might reflect on after practice.

What did I learn about myself I didn’t already know?

What is currently alive in my body?

What is the vibration of my energetic body, physical body, spiritual body, emotional body?

What emotions/feelings are present?

Where am I holding in my body and what does this represent?

How can I use this practice in a space with clients?

How might this be for them?

You do not need to share the reflection notes you make in your journal, but briefly summarize what you learnt here:

I love this daily practice.  Dropping into my body every morning has been greatly beneficial for me. It allows space for me to check in with myself before beginning my day - like a stock take.  A remembrance to always come back to the body, and listen.  The body knows.

I am an ever changing, vibrational, feeling and emotional being.  This daily practice supports me to remember this, time and time again.

Task 7: Describe 3 different embodied practices you or your clients might explore. These may be practices you have learnt through studying various traditions or with various teachers. Attempt to make up at least one of the practices yourself.

1. Body tension scan - Closing down the eyes.  Taking some deep breaths, in through the nose and out through the mouth.  As you breathe out, allowing your body to relax into the space in which you sit or lie.  With each breath, relaxing more and more.  Feeling through the body now, starting at the head and scanning down, feeling for any tension, tightness or holding.  Moving to and into these places, what wisdom can they share with you? Notice any signs, symbols, words, feelings that may arise.  Now allow your breath to move into these places of your body, feeling new, fresh, vibrational energy moving here, and with your out breath, letting go and releasing.  Encouraging sound to be expressed, and movement of the body, shaking, wriggling, gentle rotational movement.  Gently stretching, wriggling your fingers and toes and allowing yourself to come back into the space in which you lie. Reflect.

2. Heart connection -  Closing down the eyes.  Taking some deep breaths, in through the nose and out through the mouth.  As you breathe out, allowing your body to relax into the space in which you sit or lie.  With each breath, relaxing more and more. Dropping into your heart space now.  Allow yourself to feel the beat of your heart. Feeling the sensations that arise.  Feeling the vibration there. Take note.  Not changing, simply allowing and feeling. Gently stretching, wriggling your fingers and toes and allowing yourself to come back into the space in which you lie. Reflect.

3. Grounding -  This practice can be done standing, or sitting with feet on the floor.  Closing down the eyes.  Taking some deep breaths, in through the nose and out through the mouth.  As you breathe out, allowing your body to relax into the space in which you sit or lie.  With each breath, relaxing more and more. Bringing awareness to the feet now.  Taking some deep breaths into the feet. Allowing your awareness now to land where your feet touch the ground.  Breathing into this space.  Open to sensations and vibrations and what you feel here in this space. Gently stretching, wriggling your fingers and toes and allowing yourself to come back into the space in which you stand or sit. Reflect.

Task 8: When you have completed the coaching, take some time to reflect on the process, then make some notes about the experience. Some possible questions to reflect on:

Process - The practice I coached my volunteer on was the heart connection practice I wrote about above.

Heart connection -  Closing down the eyes.  Taking some deep breaths, in through the nose and out through the mouth.  As you breathe out, allowing your body to relax into the space in which you sit or lie.  With each breath, relaxing more and more. Dropping into your heart space now.  Allow yourself to feel the beat of your heart. Feeling the sensations that arise.  Feeling the vibration there. Take note.  Not changing, simply allowing and feeling. Gently stretching, wriggling your fingers and toes and allowing yourself to come back into the space in which you lie. Reflect.

What was coaching like for you?

I enjoyed the coaching.  I felt at ease and confident.  Prior to beginning we made the environment comfortable, warm and peaceful.  Cushions and blankets were available.  I found it beneficial prior to the coaching, to bring myself into my body, so I was grounded and regulated.

What was it like for your volunteer?

The volunteer overall enjoyed the session.  They felt at ease in the environment.  Were inquisitive and curious about the practice. On reflection afterwards, they spoke about distractions they encountered, dog barking outside, questioning what they should be feeling, if it was normal, should they be feeling more.  They were able to feel the sensations of their heart, the beat and the rhythm.  Supporting them in a sense of regulation and consistency within them.  Following the practice they reported feeling calmer and more present.

What worked well?

The comfortable setting.  The tone of my voice was easeful. The reflection time afterwards and sharing.  The volunteer felt held and seen.

What might you do differently?

If time permits, allowing more time to simply drop into the body and be.  Letting the outside world go, and being in the body.  I would like to experiment with coaching in different environments.  The environment was set to be calm and peaceful, however, I would like to try perhaps outside in nature, or in a slightly busier environment.  This way I could compare the experiences.

What do you want to practice more of?

I am aware of the language I used when coaching.  Perhaps increasing my repertoire of words to use to support someone.  I would like to practice different practices on a variety of different people, to gain more confidence, and hear different outcomes of each unique person, to expand my knowledge.

What did you notice in your body while coaching?

My body felt relaxed, open and comfortable.

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https://docs.google.com/document/d/1LKNWhDTbstWtepMjDzdZeem8ypNbCmcoRkytvEbxte0/edit?usp=sharing

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I like to combine use of breath, movement, touch and sound based on what I find useful in the given moment.
Start with 2 deep inhales and exhales to ground myself.
Bring awareness to hips and start swaying, moving side to side, doing circles.
Bring awareness to belly and take a series of deep breaths with a focus and expansion and contraction of the belly with the breath.
Bring awareness to heart & heartbeat.
At the end of the practice, quick body scan from top of my body heart, belly, hips, end of my fingers on my hands.. to the bottom of my body legs, sole of my feet, thumbs.

Similar to Feeling for 3 rhythms, but with few adjustments.

Do you feel grounded/relaxed? :)

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Tash, Mariana & Jess.
Thursday 6:30pm NSW (27/10/2022). Might need to adjust time next time (time change in Europe).

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Embodiment Practice using breath: Christine C

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Embodiment Practice using breath: Christine C

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Invite your client to close their eyes and connect with their breath.

This is just observe how their breath is at this moment (not trying to change anything).

What is the breath like during inhalation?

What’s it like during exhalation?

Does the breath feel like it moves easier during inhalation or exhalation?

After a few cycles, invite them to slowly extend the exhalation so that it’s double the length of the inhalation.

For example - 4 counts during inhalation, 8 counts during exhalation…

Continue this cycle for several more rounds / few minutes.

For the short version, you can end the practice here.

For a longer version, you can then invite the client to start moving the breath around the body.

There’s a practice I like doing which involves creating a connection to the womb and heart space using breath.

Have the client place their left hand around their womb space (lower abdomen) and feel into the area beneath that hand. (Reminding the client that it’s ok if they feel nothing, not to go “looking” for anything)

Then, take a moment and invite breath into that area.

When the client is ready, have them move their right hand to their heart space and repeat the “feeling into” of that area. Invite breath there.

Ask the client on their next inhalation to invite the breath up from the womb space up into the heart space.

Allow it to pause there for a moment, before inviting the breath back down during the exhalation into the womb space - creating a circuit.

Repeat for several cycles.

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The Exhaled Breath

After taking several deep abdominal breaths, quickly inhale through an open mouth and exhale through the mouth with a sigh. Take three rapid sighs and observe how this breath is felt predominantly in the shoulders, upper chest, and upper back. Do not raise your shoulders and do not hold your breath at the peak of your inhale

As you inhale and exhale, the chest rapidly expands and contracts, and the upper back expands and contracts. Make the inhale and exhale as smooth as possible. If you are in a private location, you may enjoy making a "hah" sound as you sigh. Typically, this exercise will take between fifteen and thirty seconds.

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Hello gorgeous souls,

I am Tash - a seeker, dreamer, doer, mother, student, educator, yogi, tarot-reader, camper, and traveler.

I am originally from the east coast of Canada, but I have taught in international schools in various places of the world. I now reside on Australia's Gold Coast.

After completing a Master of Leadership degree last year, I decided to pursue a doctorate in sex education at QUT. My thesis is currently titled Addressing the Orgasm Gap: Reimagining Female Pleasure in Sexual Relationships.

This course attracted me due to my personal interest and journey, as well as the desire to understand and influence my doctoral research on a deeper level so that I can take it beyond "the academic path."

I love learning about the relationship people have with their mind, body and spirit. I intend to take this study further and compete the The Certificate in Somatic Sex Coaching in 2023.

I am honoured to be part of this group and to share this time learning with and from each of you.

Blessings,
Tash

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Embodiment Paractice:
Connecting more deeply with a part of your body.

I feel this is more of an advanced practice, and can bring strong emotion or feeling up through the body at times, so a highly present and compassionate space is needed. It always feels to me like holding deep space for self, and integration time.

1. Create space, undistracted, where you can remain present with your body and self for a period of time, if you want a timer of a few minutes to support that anchor that’s fine.

2. Become present, with your breath and body. No expectations, just a relaxed openness.

3. Feel a part of your body that you are curious about (eg belly, chest, heart, any other), your body might even speak to you/give you a signal of it wanting this deeper attention.

4. Place awareness there without expectation, just presence. You may want to place your hand/s there or not.

5. Breathe into this part of the body, allow your breath, attention, feeling and awareness to become fully present with this part of your body, deepening into whatever is there with each breath both in and out, slow the breath down if you need.

6. Notice how this part of your body is feeling. Maybe theres a hum or a sound this part wants to make? Maybe as you journey deeper a movement? An expression? Take time, all the time this part your body needs to journey and share with you.

7. Keep journeying, this is your space holding for this part of your soma and it’s intelligence. Let the current life of this part of your body breathe, sound, move, feel, speak, dialogue, while you simple hold space of allowing. Give your body the time it needs to process. Whatever is there simply hold space for.

8. When your body and this process feels complete, breathe deeply into your whole body, to integrate and assimilate and ground.

9. To end, feel the weight of your body on the ground, on this earth. In the present here and now. You may want to touch yourself or hold yourself, trust your body and what it needs. Take those minutes to integrate in the now presence.

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Hi, I’m Shalom, sorry for the late intro! The past week has had me in an intense experience with sepsis and placing many things to the side to land journey, plant and nature medicinal journey and clear space and heal my body. It healed itself with that support.

So I have a background as an artist, a qualified naturopath (clinical practice 10 years), yin yoga teacher trained, psych-k and counselling (clinical practiced 5 years) and 1st year Masters bioenergetic psychotherapy.. as well as other deep embodiment journeys -including embodiment movement spaces (I also hold weekly), deep portal mystery schools, tantra, conscious sexuality, women’s deep embodiment, my own psychotherapy, imago therapy, the avatar course (including supporting delivering for several years) and just life!
..I’m a constant seeker (or rememberer).

I’m on the Kapiti Coast. I was a naturopath and then therapist, I’ve just had a year off after coming out of a 6 week soul initiation portal last year and wanting to fully integrate.

But this came along and it feels a perfect weave of deep embodiment ♥️ and counselling/psychotherapy.

I’m still self discovering, but my passion is to support another/others into the depths of life and beauty through deeper embodiment and self discovery through the intelligence of their own soma.

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Embodiment Practice using Movement and Breath - Christine R

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Embodiment Practice using Movement and Breath - Christine R

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I practiced this with my partner last week and wanted to share:

I’m inviting you to feel for your feet on the ground, you may want to flex and curl your toes, raise and lower heels, stamp your feet, or any other movement that feels good.

When you feel ready, coming to stillness and noticing your feet planted on the earth, stabilising  and holding you in this moment

Invitation now to bring awareness to breathing, without trying to change it, just noticing

Invitation to find a breath rhythm that feels comfortable for you today – may be to extend the inhale, or extend the exhale

Invitation to feel for your hands and arms, and if it feels comfortable, to move to raise your arms up on your inhale, and lower your arms on your exhale. Move your arms in a way that feels right for you today. We will continue with this for about a minute. If it feels more useful for you to move in another way, please do so.

Invitation now to transition movement to swaying from side to side, synchronising with your breath. You may way to lift your feet, or keep them still.

When you feel ready, returning to stillness and tuning back in to your breath. What are you noticing in your body? It’s okay if you notice something, or nothing.

Invitation now to ask yourself, what does my body need right now? And move in any way that feels accessible, needed, or interesting. We will be here in our own unique movement for about one minute

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I like to find a quiet (sunny, if possible) spot in my house. Semi-laying down with minimal impact or stress on my body.
My eyes closed and focusing on my feet and moving throughout to scan my whole body slowly and intentionally. Breath is always the one focus that helps bring me back. My favourite is to do this when I am having a slow morning alone with nowhere to be so I'm not distracted by the time.
A few distractions are coming up for me at the moment as I am challenged with a family emergency, distraction and focus is becoming very difficult and I am aware that my practices aren't perfect so try not and hold onto that too much.
I often feel pulsing under my skin, mostly my calves and arms.

I finish my body scan and slowly make my way into the day.

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Research Pods - Psychotherapeutic Forces

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Research Pods - Psychotherapeutic Forces

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Psychoanalytic / Psychodynamic - Marigold, Linee, Mariana, Christine R, and Amy

Cognitive Behavioral - Juan, Christine C, Kass, Shalom, and Maria

Existential - Humanistic - Jack, Tash, Nova, Agnes and Jessica

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https://www.dropbox.com/s/ebf0xf0vvfbc787/EC%20October%2019%202022.mp4?dl=0