Befriending Your Nervous System: A Game Changer for Practitioners
Hey there! I'm Aneta Idczak, and I'm super excited to be your personal tour guide through the fascinating landscape of somatic healing and trauma-informed practices. As the host of "Through a Trauma-Informed Lens: Somatic Psyche and Soul," I've had the amazing opportunity to dive deep into how our understanding of the nervous system can make a world of difference in our personal well-being and our work as practitioners. I'm thrilled to share with you some eye-opening insights and lessons from a recent episode that are especially important for yoga teachers, therapists, coaches, and bodyworkers like you and me.
You can listen to this full podcast episode HERE.
The Heart of Self-Regulation
On our path as practitioners, we're always learning new techniques and gathering knowledge to help others. But the real secret sauce to being effective is our own self-awareness and a quality of our inner connection and harmony, especially when it comes to our nervous system and physiology. It's very important to notice when we're feeling grounded and present or when we're starting to feel a bit on edge - maybe ready to fight or flee, feeling anxious, or getting defensive. These aren't just ideas and theories; they're real experiences that we bring into every single interaction and situation.
Learning from Our Own Stories
I have personal experiences of pushing myself too hard without being aware of my needs or limits whilst working in Social Care and running my own business, and it has sometimes led to injuries and emotional setbacks. It's a powerful reminder that we need to balance our professional lives with what we personally need to stay healthy and well. By understanding our own pace and respecting our boundaries, we can steer clear of burnout and keep our balance, which is key for us to be able to work with the people we're helping.
How Our Surroundings Affect Us
The spaces we're in can really affect how our nervous system and physiology react. I've had my share of challenges with working in chaotic environments and traveling a lot for work, and it's taught me to really listen to what my nervous system and physiology are telling me. When things feel too intense or just not safe enough, being able to recognize that helps us make choices that keep us on track with our well-being and our professional dreams.
Expanding Our Capacity to Serve
When we get a handle on regulating our own nervous systems and physiology, we can hold so much more - it means we have much more capacity. This bigger space we create for ourselves means we can give more to our clients and students, leading with compassion and a sense of purpose. For me It's all about helping from a place of connection, being fully present, and stable, which has such a positive ripple effect on our community and even the whole world.
Carving Out Your Own Journey
I really want to encourage you, if you are a practitioner, to carve out your own unique journey that plays to your strengths and expertise, and meets your needs. There's no cookie-cutter way to run a successful business. It has to start with your self-leadership, tursting your inner wisdom and staying true to yourself first as it is the key to serving others in sustainable ways and enjoying our own lives.
Let's Connect and Grow Together
I'd love for you to join the conversation and share your own stories and insights about how crucial it is to understand the nervous system in our professional lives. Getting to grips with the nervous system isn't just about adding tools to our professional kit; it's about answering a call for a life-changing adventure that enriches not just our own lives but also the lives of those around us.
If you're keen on deepening your knowledge and becoming a part of our community, at the Golden Mandala Yoga Soma Institute we have some awesome training certifications like Trauma-informed Somatic Teacher and Coach for Women, which run as Spring and Autumn cohorts.