People keep trying to solve emotional problems cognitively. We should be doing this directly where the emotional problems sit: in our bodies.
The current treatment culture over-values the brain, particularly perceptive functions. Which means it also undervalues the information from the rest of the body, including emotions, physiological integration, and somatic responsiveness. In this workshop we will redress this imbalance by exploring both neuroscience and somatics as they can encourage a fuller and more kind relationship with the brain.
We will look at the structures and functions of the brain in terms of what it does best, and what it does poorly. Using the latest brain research, we will explore how working with somatic systems can support better brain function. We can bolster the brain by the healthy somatic use of the heart, lungs, GI tract, immune system, and motoric system.
We will also be working with the non-cognitive brain: the combination of adnexal cells and cells that line the brain and go into the periphery. This system helps us recognize where we are and our connection to things, and supports the non-cognitive experience of emotionality. It is important in joy, belonging, integration – “with-ness”. It helps us place belonging into larger perceptions than individual things, and experience how things are interrelated to each other.
We will be making videos available before and after the live program which contain the lectures for all content areas:
- Orientation to this model
- Relevant material on neuroanatomy and neurophysiology, particularly the glial/adnexal systems
- Functions of the brain as they relate to this material
- Brain as organ
- Collection of somatic exercises
In the live experiential portion of the program, we will be learning and practicing somatic exercises that support a friendlier relationship with the brain:
- Visualizations (non-cognitive aspects)
- Mindfulness exercises for the brain
- Somatic practices such as alignment, intentional touch, working with the support systems of the brain
Unlike our other live programs, we will not be breaking out into triad groups, but will instead work within the group collective to practice the experiential exercises.
There are also two 90-minute discussion/question and answer meetings for this program (one prior to the live workshop, and one following)
