Just finished Stanley Rosenberg's book Accessing the Healing Power of the Vagus Nerve, super accessible and packed with practical and soooo very applicable advice on assessing the state of mine and clients’ vagus nerve (cranial nerves linked to major functions of the parasympathetic-or rest and digest-nervous system) before and after psychotherapy sessions. In order to… Continue reading Humming, chanting, gargling – state of social engagement and Polyvagal theory
Category: lived experiences
Radical Self-Compassion for Mothers
When we judge ourselves, we judge others... When we are convinced we are selfish, we are inclined to suspect the same of others. If we hate those parts of us that are needy, we may feel disgusted, repelled and frightened by the neediness in others. If we feel we are failing, we may look for… Continue reading Radical Self-Compassion for Mothers
On mornings with mySelf
I don’t know how you love to spend your early mornings but I am going to share my routine of wellness which has supported me from early motherhood through mothering an almost 12-year old. Although many ways of doing and being have changed since then, and everything is logistically easier, my mental space is equally… Continue reading On mornings with mySelf
Sitting with the Discomfort
What a day...?! “Sitting with the discomfort” is not only a concept I work with my clients...it’s a state of mind that I constantly explore every day, and some days it’s right-in-my-face ...or whenever in my body it hits me. I sit, I breathe through it, I let it bubble up and watch from the… Continue reading Sitting with the Discomfort
On Showing up
“I see you!” I love this simple phrase. A powerful recognition of YOU!I see your eager eyes, your vibrant energy, your curiosity and your passions! Above all I see your need for connection. We all need to be seen, taken in, in all our glory and limitations. And embraced in that star dust of unconditional… Continue reading On Showing up
Womb studies
I first explored Raphael-Leff’s theory on Maternal styles (Regulators, Facilitators, Reciprocators, Conflicted) for my Masters thesis in Manchester Uni on Maternal Expectations vs Maternal Reality (and then I looked into the links between these styles and birth complications as part of my Doctorate). It was an exceptional journey of theory, practice and self discovery. I… Continue reading Womb studies
Spontaneity days
Today in a really really really long time I did nothing. I had actually planned for it 😂 but it sometimes takes planning to do nothing and it totally worked. To be clear it was not really nothing... I guess by that I mean I relied on spontaneity...hmm what do I want to do now-type… Continue reading Spontaneity days
reflections from Original Voice, Colorado, 2019
“Might as well be exactly who you are cos half of the world won’t like you anyway” Clarissa Pinkola Estés. Unapologetically. Exactly. Who you are. Original Voice training in the Colorado Mountains with the one and only Dr Clarissa Pinkola Estes, in full autumn 🍂 🍁 where do I begin...? Pictured: Dr Clarissa Pinkola Estés… Continue reading reflections from Original Voice, Colorado, 2019
Cold milk, a poem
Motherhood is hard! Talking helps…
I have a million reasons why speaking up about your worries, concerns, fears and problems can be beneficial. When it comes to Motherhood though, I believe sharing the bad and the ugly, and the not-Insta perfect, can not only normalize your experience, but it can have a long-term and wide-reaching effect on who you become… Continue reading Motherhood is hard! Talking helps…
Aleksandra Staneva, PhD - Internal Family Systems & Jung 