Marching Madness

Rewrites, Resting, Regrouping, Releasing

It’s done folks. Although it seemed impossible in January because of an ongoing family crisis, my dissertation is officially “in” along with the rewrites from my first two readers. In academia, that simply means “you got this” and “here’s your graduation packet!” Thank you to those of you who sent words of encouragement and particularly Pittsburgh folk who checked in on me, walked with me, brought food, cried with me, let me rant - it all helped. Sometimes it’s not possible to finish things we start - even really important things. But for me, the “I am going to try” method worked.

When I read over what I have written in the last month or two, I am truly amazed and I think “How did I do that?” While clearly it physically was me as I sat at my computer each morning. I also acknowledge an essential, spiritual component that feels a little mystical in this moment. I observe Lent - the forty days that lead up to Easter. During this time, I listen to a prayer app called “Pray-As-You-Go.” During this season, each prayer time ends with a sixteenth-century prayer from Ignatius of Loyola called “The Suscipe.” Suscipe means ‘receive’ in Latin. I learned the prayer several years ago, but it felt too radical to say it. It goes like this:

Take Lord, and receive all my liberty, my memory, my understanding, and my entire will, all that I have and possess. Thou hast given all to me. To Thee, O Lord, I return it. All is Thine, dispose of it wholly according to Thy will. Give me Thy love and Thy grace, for this is sufficient for me.

It still feels too radical, but hey, it’s Lent so I’ve been praying it quite reluctantly. I thought I believed these words and have said them in different ways with different and similar words throughout the last several decades. But THIS prayer NOW in the midst of so much happening that I have no control of feels downright treacherous. I also realize that feeling as if I had control of things in the past was probably an illusion. I’ve decided to continue the prayer and say it daily as a breath prayer, punctuating the prayer with my inhales and exhales and the movement of a half-salute.

Do you have a practice that feels edgy to you? I’d love to hear about it if you want to share your experience with me.

Reset

There’s nothing easy about resetting the nervous system after prolonged effort, increased stress and uncertainty. Rest is necessary. I am having to learn to rest again. During crisis (still ongoing) I find myself slipping into my old patterns of overwork where exhaustion is a familiar old friend and sleep eludes me despite being necessary to my mental and physical well-being. The key has been to gradually do less, ratchet back the workload, keep moving - I might add “in my pain-free range of motion” and slowly linking breath to movement. Hmmm, I wonder where I have heard that before? Maybe my past self was writing those words to my current and future self (see page 15 of “Trauma-Informed Yoga: A Toolbox for Therapists: 47 Practices to Calm, Balance, and Restore the Nervous System”).

To remind myself, I am taking a four-class course with yoga therapist, Amy Wheeler at Optimal State Yoga Therapy. The classes are for people with chronic pain. For me, recent pain flare-ups have been fairly constant. Amy gently reminds us each week that our yoga practice may feel like nothing at all and not worth bothering with, EXCEPT that we are resetting our nervous systems. Ah yes, now I remember - or my body is remembering - that this gentle breath-focused movement is exactly what I need right now. Amy has other class series here. I recommend them to you.

Regrouping

I am looking for an agent to represent me and my manuscript “How to Die Well: A Workbook for the Living.” I now have more time to continue my search in earnest with the dissertation part behind me. I am considering all suggestions.

The next phase will be completing the last four chapters of “How to Die Well” and working on some video courses for my trauma-informed yoga work as time allows.

Doug and I also hope to add a healthy dose of short camping trips close to home as the spring and summer approach. State campgrounds in Pennsylvania where we live are plentiful, beautiful, and inexpensive. Click here to find your next camping spot.

Releasing

Preorders for “Trauma-Informed and Trauma-Responsive Yoga: A Universal Approach to Teaching” are now available here.

We are so honored to continue to receive such a positive response for this book.

This book is an incredibly comprehensive resource to support healing practitioners on their lifelong journey to adopting and integrating a trauma-informed lens into the scope of their work. A one of a kind roadmap, a deep exhale, and a profound gift to the field.

Zahabiyah Yamasaki, Author of Trauma-Informed Yoga for Survivors, Your Joy is Beautiful, H is for Healing, and Protect Your Energy

Launch date is June 21. Stay tuned for our Zoom Launch Party details.

Save the date

Do put August 11-14, 2024 on your calendar if you would like to join Catherine and me at Kripalu, Lennox, MA.

TRAUMA-INFORMED AND RESPONSIVE YOGA TEACHING

Understanding The Science And Practice

Being trauma-informed and responsive is about being able to negotiate two truths: yoga can be both a trigger for those who have been traumatized and it can be an effective tool for working with trauma. 

“This is a training that addresses the rapid shifts in research and guidance in the field of trauma-informed and responsive yoga. In detailing all aspects of trauma as it relates to yoga teaching, Catherine and Joanne lay a strong foundation in fostering trust and building authentic connections with students safely and confidently. This training will cover:

• Yoga, trauma, and PTSD  

• The polyvagal theory and stress response systems

• Trauma-informed and responsive cueing and assisting 

• Working with interoceptive and emotion-based sensations

• Building an attuned and responsive class

• Mindful self-care and your mission and purpose as a yoga teacher” 

As always, thanks for reading this far. We all know the struggle to be well is real. Let’s keep trying together. One day at a time. Move your body. Say your prayers (or as Gabrielle Roth says “Sweat Your Prayers.”

Be well, friends!

With love,

Joanne

P.S. As a treat for reading this far, here’s a free 60 minute gentle yoga class for nervous system regulation that I videoed in Italy at a friend’s house in 2021. Let me know if you want more of this type of class.