Feed Yourself Deeply this Holiday Season
Do you ever get so excited to see the sparkles lighting up for the holiday season, but then find yourself feeling overwhelmed, indecisive, panicky about all the parties and sweets, pulled in too many different directions? Perhaps the holidays stir up tender memories or feelings, maybe you feel over-obligated, and what about fearing falling off whatever-wagon you might be riding?
Coping Mechanisms Not to be Shamed but as Nervous System Response
Did you know that when we feel overwhelmed, without even being aware, our autonomic nervous system tries to protect us? In a simplified explanation, we either try to fight or flee a situation or we disconnect or shutdown on a continuum. This experience can be more subtle than you might think. And, this process has been happening since we were in utero, then womb-to-walking and beyond. Whether you are aware of your own trauma responses “big or small,” no shaming or blaming here. Deep down, we have neurobiological attempts to survive, and sometimes those result in coping mechanisms that look like disordered eating patterns, dependence on substances like alcohol or weed, sticky relational dances and/or a chronic sense of being empty or yearning for something more, to name a few.
Reparative Somatic Experiences for Reconnection with Rhythms, Instinct and Deeper Hungers
Ideally, we were supported enough in our early years by a present primary caregiver(s) to help us navigate the inevitable stressors of life in a way the brain can handle distress. But, life isn’t perfect. Our family and all of our environments during our formative years haven’t been perfect or ideal (and neither should they be!). Things happen, and sometimes big things happen. Sometimes we need “symbolic redos” as multiple reparative attachment experiences, to help re-experience the relational support that our brain, body and spirit crave(d) so desperately for healthy development and a fulfilling life.
That basically means when all of our emotional parts and movements, gestures, behaviors/urges, patterns feel solidly held and not shamed without having to think about it too much or convince ourselves with spiritual bypassing, we have a greater capacity for Social Engagement System functioning. This allows for a reconnection of regulated (not heightened or dulled) hunger/fullness cues, when it’s time to rest, when it’s time to work, and an ability to feel all the feels without being overwhelmed.
Reparative Somatic Experiences for Both Connection and Separation (Sense of True Self)
M-Bodied™ therapeutic relational practices use early Chi for Two body-based practices that offer attachment-based redos. These include both the movements, gestures, patterns and rhythms that allow us to connect enough for us to also embody and express the movements, gestures, patterns and rhythms that allow us to initiate separation. The soothing/supportive dances are necessary to create the foundation of safety for the inevitable and developmentally appropriate differentiation dances. While cultures and systems sometimes have an easier time appreciating the soothing/matching dances, sometimes the more unique and preferenced expressions of separation/mismatch could use more room to take up space for recognition and acceptance in lieu of being pathologized, shamed or shutdown.
To help practice a robust quality of embodiment that provides not only the synchronicity but also a full sense-of-self, it can be helpful to practice attachment-based, co-regulation practices. M-Bodied helps people to explore embodiment practices and movement using a relational lens and approach. In other words you are not alone. But instead of thinking about it, you get to practice experiencing it.
Here’s a little sample:
What might it be like to learn to use the ground or another surface as your partner for healthy reconnection with your self, with your deeper hungers — to experience unconditional support as well as your own strength when pushing away? What’s it like to feel supported, what’s it like to recognize areas that feel disconnected, what’s it like to invite connection and support when an area of your body feels antsy or tense? What’s it like to perhaps be reluctant to explore body wisdom? (*These questions are intended as a “taste” of an M-Bodied practices with a trained helper and not to be digested alone.)
So, what about exploring movement and embodiment in a relational and less prescriptive, less lonesome way? We don’t learn support and steadiness alone; From womb-to-walking and beyond, we learn support, steadiness and our uniqueness by being able to lean into and push away from a quality of support, a container, a Circle of Support. M-Bodied uses early relational Chi for Two practices where we get to re-feed our younger parts and strengthen our older, wiser, nourishing part in an integrated, present, and even playful way.
Interested in learning more?
Here’s another *virtual* M-Bodied series just in time for holiday support. Come reconnect with your core awareness and feed yourself deeply 🌀💗🌀
M-Bodied: Mindful Movement as Mothering Medicine™
🌀Attachment-based, relational movement for Deep Nourishment Core Awareness 🌀
A 6-week virtual series
Wednesdays 7am-8am EST
Nov 16 - Dec 21, 2022
What are you hungry for this holiday season?
🌀Reconnect with your body in a new way to help connect with holiday food and family in a healthy way.
🌀Rediscover eating and moving as an instinctual and relational practice instead of prescriptive.
M-Bodied practices will help you:
⭐️ Explore recognizing Belly-brain wisdom and Belly-hunger.
⭐️ Rediscover eating and moving as an instinctual and relational practice instead of prescriptive.
⭐️ Reconnect with core awareness to attune to yourself from the inside-out for a sustainable approach to eating, moving and living.
⭐️ Explore developmental movement from womb-to-walking for fluidity, empowerment and self-support.
• No experience necessary
• All bodies 18+ welcome
• $222 for the series
• A 10-min Zoom interview is required
• Caroline@MBodiedTherapy.com or 404-210-6752
Caroline Gebhardt, LPC, RYT, is a somatic psychotherapist, certified Chi for Two® embodiment coach/trainer, registered yoga teacher, and creator of M-Bodied: Mindful Movement as Mothering Medicine. She draws upon nervous system science, attachment theory and trauma-informed body-based therapy to help people feel supported and empowered in their bodies and lives.