A Movement Break for your Nervous System. A nervous system that learns to come ‘back to center’ (some call this grounding, regulating, calm, safe, etc) and that it can rest from a sympathetic state (Fight/Flight/Freeze/Fawn) is a flexible, resilient nervous system. Taking these movement breaks is one form of learning, of extending a hand to yourself and saying, come join me where we can just be for a moment.

Come prepared to gently move, breathe, listen to your body, and maybe discover something new. I suggest wearing comfortable and possibly loose clothing that allows you to move and breathe. However, you are welcome to come exactly as you are! You can also use a yoga mat or something similar if you like, or just a spot on the floor!

Optional: For any sort of props you might bring a stool or chair, some big sturdy books, and pillows, blankets, or couch cushions. Grab a stool or chair, these can be both to provide stability when on the ground, or for seated positions. Sturdy books can take the place of yoga blocks, something to bring the floor closer to you as needed or wanted. And pillows, blankets, and/or cushions can create comfort in different positions, seated, lying down, etc.

This is not a yoga class nor a therapy group. There is not a goal to make a certain shape, look a certain way, even feel a certain way during or after. The intention I am setting forth with this container is to help inspire more sustainable self-care and resilient nervous systems over time. You may also end up feeling changes in your body; strength, mobility, decrease of pain sensitivity, etc. However, the goal here is to be in relationship with your nervous system in a community container and practice different approaches to be in that nervous system relationship. We may move, breathe, make guided or unprompted noises that tone our vagus nerve, or we may lay/sit/stand in different positions of supported stillness. And there is always the opportunity to tweak an offered position/movement/shape for you!

Expect guided movements and breath inspired by yoga, Qi Gong, somatic psychotherapy, my lived experience in my chronically-in-pain body and more. Movements may be standing, seated, or on the floor - and adjustments will and can be offered. No prior experience necessary. Flexibility of the body is not a requirement. Due to the nature of this virtual offering, being able to honor to your own limitations is required to attend - please reach out if you are uncertain of what this means or entails AND if you would like some guidance on how to do this.

Through these movement breaks, with me and on your own, I invite you to give yourself the gift of presence. Strengthen your central nervous system resilience through being in the present moment and perhaps by finding resourcing amidst times of stress and greater dis-ease.

More on intention / trying to give a greater picture of what to expect and what I am intending:

It is my intention to be your guide here for 30 minutes at a time twice a week, as well as to remind you that you are your greatest guide. Listen to your body, honor yourself wherever you are in the moment. On some of my hardest pain days it is a victory simply to imagine myself in movement, and I hold that same compassionate offering for you and your body however you are in the moment. I aim to provide a container of space and time to explore how being in a body feels on any given day, and how different ways of moving, breathing, and being with your body can provide support in your life in different ways. I invite you to be an investigator and experimenter of your experience here! Tune into how things feel, try something new, feel something familiar in a new way, follow my guidance, or come to the container and move in your own way!