Oooh, I would love to take a yoga class with you one day! I'm also intrigued by how/if you combine that practice with SD. Thanks for reading and sharing and I'm glad you are doing this work!
I love these invitations. These days I make it a ritual between clients to wash my hands, open my windows, and shake or stretch my body. It feels like a useful reset, a chance to shift the energy, and a break from the stagnation of sitting all day 😊
I love those rituals! Thanks for sharing them with us so we can steal them and use them in our own lives! You reminded me that when I am working from home or seeing virtual clients I will make a cup of tea. Something about getting up, moving around and engaging in a ritual that's just for me is helpful.
I love this article, Christine—such a wealth of 'how tos' gently shared for others to employ. Thank you!
Those images are intriguing. I need to find the study that showed a video of how the colours changed when someone's asked questions during an MRI. It's fascinating seeing feelings on screen.
The grief yoga looks and sounds great. Please could you ask Jillene, if there are recorded sessions that people can access on a paid subscriptions to that anyone, at anytime can access and go through the exercises. This could be a much-needed tool for caregivers.
Victoria, thanks so much for reading and sharing. And absolutely, grief yoga would be an incredible resource for caregivers. Jillene doesn't have any online sessions yet, but here is her website and she may be adding a virtual option soon - https://www.groundedloveforgrief.com. There are a few other practitioners that offer it and here's the founder's free classes (I think he also offers paid ones) - https://griefyoga.com/free-resources/
You're very welcome, Christine! Brilliant-thanks for these links. I know several people who, like me, move from one rollercoaster to another. These exercises can offer some mindful movement amid the turbulent loops and drops. Thank you!
I finally got to read this more fully after a week of sick kiddos. I would LOVE to catch someone doing yoga in the elevator. :) You always do such a lovely job of weaving together wisdom, stories, and practical advice.
Oh blessings on you as you recover from caring for sick kids! We had that in my house and then it took me down worse than anyone. So many germs this time of year! Hope you all stay well for a while!
I so appreciate the bounty of this post, the many links to follow, and the potent questions you have posed.
I'm looking forward to reading Body Whisperer, as I aspire to become more fluent in the language of my body. For the longest time I didn't pay attention to the most basic requests for sleep, rest, water, food, release, and I needed an interpreter.
I'm on better terms now, fascinated and marveling at my anatomy, relearning how to walk, sit, breathe, how to isolate muscles, follow meridian lines, what seasons influence what organs.
I would add to you list of resources a virtual energy yoga class I treasure every Friday morning by Kari, at Greenhouse Yoga, described as 'align and strengthen your body, reset your nervous system and balance your energy'. She's an exceptional instructor. https://greenhouseyoga.info
Morgan, thanks for reading and sharing about learning to listen to the language of your body. It can be life-long work! I'm also intrigued by this yoga class and will have to check it out, I appreciate you dropping the link here!
Christine this was so great and helpful! I love the information on closing our stress cycles, feeling in awe of the many processes of our miraculous bodies, and I agree so much about the yoga! I do it every day and I always say to people, that it does "so many things at one", but to see how it hits all of those 7, totally makes sense -- and why we feel so great afterward, right?
Thanks Gayle! Yoga everyday?! I am impressed! Do you practice solo, in a studio or a mix of the two? I would love to get to a studio more often, but my schedule just never aligns (or to be more accurate - my kids' extracurricular schedules). Something about doing yoga in the presence of others does add to the benefit - or as the Nagoski sisters would say the "positive social interaction."
I do mine online. I actually m such an extrovert that I love doing yoga alone, most of the time. I do it before dinner time. I have a beautiful space in my home that I love being in, a big window with lots of natural light. I have a mat for my dog and she lies down beside me. It’s my favourite time of day. I love classes, too, but I find for me, the solitude and meditative space is what I need.
Christine, what a beautiful post. I have also been trying to gain a better understanding of my body as I get into perimenopause. during my physical last week, the NP only offered “our bodies are just changing at this age.” I was disappointed that she offered no further thoughts on how I can feel more embodied at this age as my body tells me about and shows me all the changes it’s going through. I am psyched to learn more about grief yoga. What a beautiful experience you were able to have during that retreat. 🩷 thank you for taking the time to share this important information while doing all the things you do already!
Thanks Lindsey! And we need to have a zoom coffee date and compare notes on all things perimenopause - the deep dive I had to do to educate myself was unbelievable!
I'll be curious to know your thoughts on grief yoga, especially given your background. One day I'd love to get my yoga teacher training and then get that specialization - but alas, time is in short supply!
I am reading this at the French immigration offices where I just failed my French test; miserably! I can't thank you enough dear Christine for giving us all this wisdom on the body. I am especially using your "reset" suggestions tight now. Merci!
Oh Karla! Zut Alors! I hope you are able to reset yourself and your spirit after that disappointing experience. They are lucky to have you over there, so hopefully they will see that!
Christine, if we ever needed to listen to our bodies, it'd be right now. One major life regret is that I waited so long to pay attention to what she was shouting at me ...
Thanks Kelly, that is high praise coming from you, since you are such an expert on the theology of embodiment.
To folks who may not know Kelly yet, I highly recommend her recent post which has the best substack title ever - and you'll have to click through to read it! https://substack.com/home/post/p-155958951
Thanks Sharon. Isn't it amazing how grief can be such a physical experience as well as an emotional one? I hope you try out this type of yoga and let me know what you think!
Yes and disappointing that many GPs are unaware that is the case. I was grateful for Internet research that helped me avoid medication for symptoms that were rooted in emotional pain.
I agree with you. I had to stop myself from writing several paragraphs about everything wrong with our healthcare system, medical education and insurance issues!
What a beautiful post once again, Christine. I love these gentle & soft reminders about how we can encounter our 'soul's address.'. And I particularly love the question you were asked about what you do after being with a patient in an intense moment. Those small grounding moments matter.
I'm also wondering if you happen to know the artist for the fourth photo/drawing in this post? The one with the internal organs. I'd love to track down the artist.
Thanks Beth Anne, I was wondering what you would think of this post. And what would you add to the list of how we can ground ourselves? I'm sure you have lots of tips and advice for that!
And thanks for asking about the artist - I have Covid (again) this week and forgot a few things in the posts as a result (it's also why I didn't record myself reading it). Her name is Jessica Fortner and her website is http://jessicafortner.com. I couldn't find the title of this piece or it on her website, but found it in an article in Scientific American about the gut microbiome, which I think she did specifically for that piece - https://www.scientificamerican.com/report/innovations-in-the-microbiome/
lovely post Christine. the importance of advocating for ourselves and those we hold dear, especially those who are female and marginalized, is even more imperative these days. i'm looking forward to Sophie Strand's forthcoming book, The Body is a Portal, which will offer her valuable wisdom of listening to our bodies while navigating the western world of medicine. it is due out in March. preorders are ever so important to authors, so in anyone is interested...or take a look at her substack, Make Me Good Soil. (and no, i don't get a cut--lol--just a big fan.)
These are fantastic reminders Christine, thank you. I could feel my body unwind simply reading this essay and the art is amazing. As a chiropractor I love the suggestion from your chiropractor! Every day I see how much of our life is held in our tissue, how we have never been taught to release that pain or tension and how valuable it is to develop these skills.
Donna, thanks so much for reading and I'm curious to know what you would add to this list! My chiropractor also says "Our issues are in our tissues" which is probably a common mantra in your field - I love it!
A phenomenal piece! I’m also a trauma informed yoga instructor and I can’t YES this all enough!!
Oooh, I would love to take a yoga class with you one day! I'm also intrigued by how/if you combine that practice with SD. Thanks for reading and sharing and I'm glad you are doing this work!
I love these invitations. These days I make it a ritual between clients to wash my hands, open my windows, and shake or stretch my body. It feels like a useful reset, a chance to shift the energy, and a break from the stagnation of sitting all day 😊
I love those rituals! Thanks for sharing them with us so we can steal them and use them in our own lives! You reminded me that when I am working from home or seeing virtual clients I will make a cup of tea. Something about getting up, moving around and engaging in a ritual that's just for me is helpful.
I love this article, Christine—such a wealth of 'how tos' gently shared for others to employ. Thank you!
Those images are intriguing. I need to find the study that showed a video of how the colours changed when someone's asked questions during an MRI. It's fascinating seeing feelings on screen.
The grief yoga looks and sounds great. Please could you ask Jillene, if there are recorded sessions that people can access on a paid subscriptions to that anyone, at anytime can access and go through the exercises. This could be a much-needed tool for caregivers.
Victoria, thanks so much for reading and sharing. And absolutely, grief yoga would be an incredible resource for caregivers. Jillene doesn't have any online sessions yet, but here is her website and she may be adding a virtual option soon - https://www.groundedloveforgrief.com. There are a few other practitioners that offer it and here's the founder's free classes (I think he also offers paid ones) - https://griefyoga.com/free-resources/
You're very welcome, Christine! Brilliant-thanks for these links. I know several people who, like me, move from one rollercoaster to another. These exercises can offer some mindful movement amid the turbulent loops and drops. Thank you!
Let me know what you think if you try them!
I finally got to read this more fully after a week of sick kiddos. I would LOVE to catch someone doing yoga in the elevator. :) You always do such a lovely job of weaving together wisdom, stories, and practical advice.
Oh blessings on you as you recover from caring for sick kids! We had that in my house and then it took me down worse than anyone. So many germs this time of year! Hope you all stay well for a while!
I love the question about how close a stress cycle-I read to signal to my body I can rest now! Thank you for these resources. <3
I so appreciate the bounty of this post, the many links to follow, and the potent questions you have posed.
I'm looking forward to reading Body Whisperer, as I aspire to become more fluent in the language of my body. For the longest time I didn't pay attention to the most basic requests for sleep, rest, water, food, release, and I needed an interpreter.
I'm on better terms now, fascinated and marveling at my anatomy, relearning how to walk, sit, breathe, how to isolate muscles, follow meridian lines, what seasons influence what organs.
I would add to you list of resources a virtual energy yoga class I treasure every Friday morning by Kari, at Greenhouse Yoga, described as 'align and strengthen your body, reset your nervous system and balance your energy'. She's an exceptional instructor. https://greenhouseyoga.info
Morgan, thanks for reading and sharing about learning to listen to the language of your body. It can be life-long work! I'm also intrigued by this yoga class and will have to check it out, I appreciate you dropping the link here!
Yay! Glad it was a helpful question to help your body rest!
Christine this was so great and helpful! I love the information on closing our stress cycles, feeling in awe of the many processes of our miraculous bodies, and I agree so much about the yoga! I do it every day and I always say to people, that it does "so many things at one", but to see how it hits all of those 7, totally makes sense -- and why we feel so great afterward, right?
Thanks Gayle! Yoga everyday?! I am impressed! Do you practice solo, in a studio or a mix of the two? I would love to get to a studio more often, but my schedule just never aligns (or to be more accurate - my kids' extracurricular schedules). Something about doing yoga in the presence of others does add to the benefit - or as the Nagoski sisters would say the "positive social interaction."
I do mine online. I actually m such an extrovert that I love doing yoga alone, most of the time. I do it before dinner time. I have a beautiful space in my home that I love being in, a big window with lots of natural light. I have a mat for my dog and she lies down beside me. It’s my favourite time of day. I love classes, too, but I find for me, the solitude and meditative space is what I need.
Sounds lovely! And that your dog does it with you! What a gorgeous daily ritual to reset!
The best! ❤️
Christine, what a beautiful post. I have also been trying to gain a better understanding of my body as I get into perimenopause. during my physical last week, the NP only offered “our bodies are just changing at this age.” I was disappointed that she offered no further thoughts on how I can feel more embodied at this age as my body tells me about and shows me all the changes it’s going through. I am psyched to learn more about grief yoga. What a beautiful experience you were able to have during that retreat. 🩷 thank you for taking the time to share this important information while doing all the things you do already!
Thanks Lindsey! And we need to have a zoom coffee date and compare notes on all things perimenopause - the deep dive I had to do to educate myself was unbelievable!
I'll be curious to know your thoughts on grief yoga, especially given your background. One day I'd love to get my yoga teacher training and then get that specialization - but alas, time is in short supply!
That would be so fun! I love this idea!
Perfect! I will send you a message so we can find a time to chat!
I am reading this at the French immigration offices where I just failed my French test; miserably! I can't thank you enough dear Christine for giving us all this wisdom on the body. I am especially using your "reset" suggestions tight now. Merci!
Oh Karla! Zut Alors! I hope you are able to reset yourself and your spirit after that disappointing experience. They are lucky to have you over there, so hopefully they will see that!
Christine, if we ever needed to listen to our bodies, it'd be right now. One major life regret is that I waited so long to pay attention to what she was shouting at me ...
Amen! Glad we are all paying attention these days.
This is fantastic. Thank you so much for sharing this practical very pastoral guidance.
Thanks Kelly, that is high praise coming from you, since you are such an expert on the theology of embodiment.
To folks who may not know Kelly yet, I highly recommend her recent post which has the best substack title ever - and you'll have to click through to read it! https://substack.com/home/post/p-155958951
What a lovely post full of wisdom. I love the idea of grief yoga having lived with grief for years and supported others on their grief journey.
Thanks Sharon. Isn't it amazing how grief can be such a physical experience as well as an emotional one? I hope you try out this type of yoga and let me know what you think!
Yes and disappointing that many GPs are unaware that is the case. I was grateful for Internet research that helped me avoid medication for symptoms that were rooted in emotional pain.
I agree with you. I had to stop myself from writing several paragraphs about everything wrong with our healthcare system, medical education and insurance issues!
What a beautiful post once again, Christine. I love these gentle & soft reminders about how we can encounter our 'soul's address.'. And I particularly love the question you were asked about what you do after being with a patient in an intense moment. Those small grounding moments matter.
I'm also wondering if you happen to know the artist for the fourth photo/drawing in this post? The one with the internal organs. I'd love to track down the artist.
Thanks Beth Anne, I was wondering what you would think of this post. And what would you add to the list of how we can ground ourselves? I'm sure you have lots of tips and advice for that!
And thanks for asking about the artist - I have Covid (again) this week and forgot a few things in the posts as a result (it's also why I didn't record myself reading it). Her name is Jessica Fortner and her website is http://jessicafortner.com. I couldn't find the title of this piece or it on her website, but found it in an article in Scientific American about the gut microbiome, which I think she did specifically for that piece - https://www.scientificamerican.com/report/innovations-in-the-microbiome/
lovely post Christine. the importance of advocating for ourselves and those we hold dear, especially those who are female and marginalized, is even more imperative these days. i'm looking forward to Sophie Strand's forthcoming book, The Body is a Portal, which will offer her valuable wisdom of listening to our bodies while navigating the western world of medicine. it is due out in March. preorders are ever so important to authors, so in anyone is interested...or take a look at her substack, Make Me Good Soil. (and no, i don't get a cut--lol--just a big fan.)
Oh thank you for the recommendation, I just subscribed to her substack and am looking forward to reading more.
These are fantastic reminders Christine, thank you. I could feel my body unwind simply reading this essay and the art is amazing. As a chiropractor I love the suggestion from your chiropractor! Every day I see how much of our life is held in our tissue, how we have never been taught to release that pain or tension and how valuable it is to develop these skills.
Donna, thanks so much for reading and I'm curious to know what you would add to this list! My chiropractor also says "Our issues are in our tissues" which is probably a common mantra in your field - I love it!
Thank you. This explains a lot of what I think my body is trying to tell me.
Sometimes it is hard to listen to our bodies, but I'm glad you are tuned into yours! I hope it's whispering and not screaming!
I've already been through a screaming stage. I have tools now that will help not go there again but some days self-discipline is hard.
Absolutely! I'm home sick today and my therapist reminded me to practice what I preached in this article! 😂
I love this post. Thank you, Christine. And I for sure want to know more about grief yoga.
Thanks Jenn! Grief yoga was truly phenomenal! Check out these resources from the founder - https://griefyoga.com/free-resources/
Also Jillene will hopefully be offering something soon if you follow her on social media. https://www.instagram.com/groundedloveforgrief/
Thank you! Will definitely do.