On Saturday, November 7th 2020, at 10:40AM, when Biden’s win was announced, I was in the middle of teaching yoga. One of the gals in the class wrote a message in the zoom chat, “PA called it, we have a new president.” At about the same moment, there were screams from my neighbors and notifications were streaming in on my computer. Immediately I felt the impulse to celebrate. I wanted to raise my arms and jump up and down. I wanted to high five someone and share the news. I wanted to look into another person’s eyes and share the win.

But I couldn’t, I was teaching a class. And I know that if I announced it, class would be over. I had to keep going.

So, there I am, full of heart, hope and impulses. I needed to focus on you guys and what I was teaching. But, inside, things were brewing.

I said to myself, “Ok Dorie, this is a great opportunity to hold excitement and celebration inside your nervous system. You’ve been training for this.”

When it comes to rewiring your nervous system, one of the most important skills is building capacity to experience and finish emotions. When it comes to feeling like shit, it is a little easier to access these experiences and sometimes get stuck in them (not you, just me ;). On the other hand, when it comes to feeling good, celebrating and enjoying things, we tend to quickly move past them and onto the next task, plan or worry.

So, back to the class. After finding out that Biden was our president, I spent the next 40 minutes practicing staying present (ie. regulated), teaching and holding this excitement. It was hard, but a great opportunity to marinate in the sensations of a yummy moment without rushing to the next thing.

We have a lot more work to do to heal this country.

AND

You can stretch out the enjoyment of things. Not to be complacent, but to create more space for healing and connection which will affect the people around you.

Opportunities for you to stretch out enjoyment and transition stress, anxiety and overwhelm into being focused and productive:

Join a somatic movement class this week.
Click here to chat about working 1 on 1
Come to the next Settle Your Sh*t - Thanksgiving Edition workshop (coming in 2 weeks so keep your eyes peeled for deets)

Each somatic yoga movement class includes:

~nervous system regulation exercises (creates a feeling of safety)

~tracking your own nervous system

~yoga poses and breathing

~alignment that is functional and can be used in all areas of your life

~deep rest

Carve out space to develop a connection to your nervous system this week. Let’s keep letting the body know we’re safe.

Join us for Somatic Movement classes this week.

Monday 6-7 pm CST (YOGA)
Wednesday 9:30-10:30 am CST (BOWSPRING)
Friday 12-1 pm CST (YOGA)
Saturday 10-11:15 am CST (YOGA)

Can’t make a live class?

All classes are now recorded. To receive a recording of a class, register for the class and then send me an email or text letting me know you’d like the recording link. It will be available for 24 hours.

And check out the resources and testimonials below.

Where were you when the presidency was announced? I’d love to hear your stories.

With Love and Regulation

~Dorie

P.S. Are you looking for more individualized one-on-one support for anxiety, depression or overwhelm? Let’s Chat

Photo: Alyce Henson Photography

You did all the things:

-voted
-encouraged others to vote
-donated money

Now we wait. In the meantime, how do you live your life without feeling the incredible strain and stress of waiting for the results?

With stress levels rising, it’s important that you prioritize your health and wellness no matter what happens in this election.

Yes, there is a lot at stake!
Yes, it is a big monster deal.
AND
Yes, you can get through this week without sacrificing your emotional and physical health.

Some suggestions:

Decide how much you're going to check the news, social media etc. If you’re putting your emotional and mental health first, draw a line in the sand as to how much your body and brain can handle between now and Tuesday. Stick to your choice.
GAME PLAN - what else can you do on Tuesday to keep yourself occupied? Make a plan with friends to be outside, decide to watch a show, read a book, or throw a dance party in your living room.
Notice what’s happening in your body when you start to get freaked out by taking in too much info. Where do you feel it in your body, your chest, somewhere else?
When you feel that sensation that tells you you’re getting anxious or overwhelmed, orient to your space (like we do in class) or even look outside. Move your head, neck, and eyes together around your space. Name 5 things that you see (making sure to look behind you). Slow down and take your time naming the color and the name of the object out loud. You may notice your body shifting, your breath may change (deeper breaths or yawns are a good sign you’re downshifting), and/or you may notice your digestion shift a bit.
Engage your other senses, name 3 things you hear, or 3 things you feel your body touching. Other ways to engage your senses are to take a luxurious bath or a slow shower noticing how the water feels on your body, get outside, draw a picture…OR
Join a somatic movement class this week and let someone else lead you. We can get through this together!

Each somatic yoga movement class includes:

~nervous system regulation exercises (creates a feeling of safety)
~tracking your own nervous system
~yoga poses and breathing
~alignment that is functional and can be used in all areas of your life
~deep rest

Carve out space to develop a connection to your nervous system this week.

Classes this week:

Monday 6-7 pm CST (YOGA)
Wednesday 9:30-10:30 am CST (BOW SPRING)
Friday 12-1 pm CST (YOGA)
Saturday 10-11:15 am CST (YOGA)

Can’t make a live class?
All classes are now recorded. To receive a recording of a class, register for the class, and then send me an email or text letting me know you’d like the recording link. It will be available for 24 hours.

Register here for classes
And check out the resources and testimonials below.

I'll see you on the mat!

With Love and Regulation

~Dorie

P.S. Are you looking for more individualized one-on-one support for anxiety, depression or overwhelm? Let’s chat

Blog: Somatic Therapy Chicago | Somatic Experiencing | Yoga Classes

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