For practitioners:early-bird pricing takes $500 off the Mind Body Integration training until Sept. 17.the founding cohort of the Mind Body Integration training starts Oct. 22. Applications close Oct. 2.
In this episode of the Heal with Grace podcast, hosts Grace and Liana discuss strategies for getting back to the activities you love while recovering from chronic pain and chronic fatigue. They introduce the concept of pacing, which involves gradually increasing activity levels to avoid post-exertional malaise and to build confidence. The conversation highlights the importance of awareness, visualization, and setting safety nets to manage pain and fatigue effectively. They also delve into the science behind neuroplastic pain and offer real-life examples to emphasize the potential for recovery. This episode is a must-listen for anyone looking to reclaim their life from debilitating symptoms.
In this episode of the Heal with Grace podcast, Grace interviews Vanessa Blackstone, the executive director of the Pain Psychology Center. Vanessa, who has a background in social work and is a citizen of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians, shares her journey from dealing with her own chronic pain to becoming a therapist in pain reprocessing therapy (PRT). They delve into the concept of PRT, explaining how it aims to address the neural pathways in the brain that perpetuate chronic pain by creating messages of safety and soothing the nervous system. Vanessa discusses the challenges of establishing a sense of safety, particularly for those who didn't grow up in secure environments. Through her personal stories and therapeutic experiences, she emphasises the importance of slowing down, understanding one's emotions, and using authentic messages of safety to foster healing. The episode also touches on the broader aspects of creating safety in one's current life and explores how our past and present environments influence our sense of security.
In this episode of the Heal With Grace podcast, I dive into the importance and transformative power of journaling for personal healing. Covering its benefits in mental and physical health, the episode emphasizes journaling as a tool for self-expression and reflection, aiding in the process of bringing subconscious thoughts and emotions to the conscious level. I discuss the concept of expressive writing, share research evidence supporting its positive impact on various health conditions, and present different methods and tips for effective journaling practices. These include the expressive writing protocol by Dr. James Pennebaker and Journal Speak by Nicole Sachs, tailored for individuals dealing with chronic pain or seeking deep emotional healing. The episode aims to guide listeners on how to utilize journaling as a safe, private means to explore their inner world and facilitate a journey towards recovery and self-understanding.
In this episode, I welcome Nityda Gessel, a seasoned yoga teacher, trauma therapist, and somatic therapist with nearly two decades of experience. Nityda, a licensed clinical social worker, discusses her approach to supporting individuals by examining how their past and present manifest in their bodies and using body-based embodiment interventions for healing and evolution. She introduces the Trauma Conscious Yoga Method, a blend of somatic psychotherapy practices and trauma-conscious yoga, and discusses her book, 'Embodied Self Awakening: Somatic Practices for Trauma Healing and Spiritual Evolution.' The conversation delves into the effects of trauma on the body, the importance of community and validation in the healing process, and the concept of embodied self-awakening. Nityda emphasizes the role of the vagus nerve, polyvagal theory, the significance of compassion and community support, and introduces internal family systems therapy as a model for understanding and integrating different parts of oneself towards healing. She encourages embracing the journey of healing as an ongoing process of self-discovery and awakening.
In this episode we delve into the underestimated practice of visualisation and its significance in the healing journey, exploring both the scientific studies and practical guidance on how to effectively utilise this technique for health and vitality. I explain how the brain cannot differentiate between real and visualised experiences, thereby offering an opportunity to influence the body's response and initiate healing. I discuss chronic conditions, the root causes being stress and a dysregulated brain and body, and how visualisation can shift perceptions of pain and symptoms. I provide evidence from studies showing the effectiveness of guided imagery in pain management and stress reduction. Furthermore, I give detailed instructions on visualising for soothing the amygdala to reduce fear and anxiety, improving functional status, and rewiring food sensitivities, emphasising the practice of visualisation as a powerful tool for self-empowerment and resilience in healing.
In this episode, Grace is joined by Liana, a support therapist in the mind-body healing method at Elevate Therapy and Wellness, and Amy Sanders, a licensed massage therapist and craniosacral therapist.
Amy shares her background in occupational and massage therapy, and explains the principles and benefits of craniosacral therapy, emphasizing its role in treating various conditions by working with the body's craniosacral system to influence the central nervous system and thus, the entire body.
Liana shares her personal journey of seeking craniosacral therapy for painful jaw degeneration, highlighting the significant pain relief and nervous system regulation she experienced without undergoing invasive surgery, thanks to Amy's holistic approach. The episode delves into how craniosacral therapy aids self-healing, the impact of respecting the body's pace and signals for safety, and introduces the Safe and Sound Protocol as an additional tool for achieving nervous system regulation.
Amy and Liana's experiences underscore the importance of a trusted therapeutic relationship in navigating chronic symptoms and achieving wellness.
Connect with Amy It is a blessing to be a practitioner in a field that makes a difference in people’s lives. From an early age, I knew that being a therapist was what I was destined to become.
That path has lead me to a deeper understanding of how manual therapy techniques are extremely effective therapies in the treatment of many conditions that create pain and cause problems in the daily lives of both adults and children.
As a graduate of the University of Wisconsin’s program of Occupational Therapy, I began my professional practice in rehabilitation settings ranging from acute to outpatient.
Subsequently, I decided to continue my professional skills by doing post- graduate training in Massage Therapy in 2001. Working as an Occupational Therapist, I witnessed the effectiveness of utilizing manual therapy techniques in treatment of a variety of clinical conditions. After becoming experienced as a massage therapist, I received additional training in CranioSacral Techniques through the Upledger Institute with completion of my Diplomate certification in CranioSacral Therapy.
My approach to treatment is to help identify the underlying physical patterns that create the symptoms reported by my clients. I achieve this by listening to both the personal reports of my client, and the symptoms manifested within the body. My goal is to help my clients achieve balance both physically and emotionally. I feel it is important to empower my clients to understand how to care for themselves between treatment sessions so that the body can self-correct and heal naturally.
In this episode of the Heal with Grace podcast, Amal Hawari shares her profound journey of mind-body healing, overcoming pelvic pain, histamine intolerance, fibromyalgia, and other health issues through nervous system regulation and brain training. Starting with her struggle, Amal recounts how her life was severely impacted by various health conditions and her eventual discovery of a holistic approach to healing. She emphasizes the importance of nervous system regulation, the support from Grace and the program, and how mind-body connection techniques provided her the tools for recovery. Amal also discusses the incremental steps to her healing, indicating that recovery is a non-linear process that requires persistence, self-awareness, and a willingness to engage deeply with emotional trauma and stress management. This episode dives into the significance of mental health in physical recovery and offers hope to those experiencing chronic health issues.
In this episode of the Heal with Grace podcast, Grace is joined by special guest, Rachel, the creator and owner of Intuitively Wild. Rachel shares her journey from being deeply involved in yoga to exploring herbalism and human design as tools for healing and personal growth. She discusses how yoga contributed to her eating disorder and how she had to re-evaluate her relationship with it. Rachel also delves into the concept of human design, explaining how it serves as a blueprint for living in alignment with one's true self. She offers insights into how different energy types, such as projectors and manifesting generators, operate in the world. The discussion also covers the importance of journaling, yoga therapy, and custom herbalism for mental health and nervous system regulation. Rachel highlights the significance of embracing change and being authentic and shares information on how listeners can connect with her through her mentorship programs, podcast, and upcoming retreat.
About Rachel Levine
Rachel Levine is the creator and owner of Intuitively Wild. Intuitively Wild is a lifestyle brand for everyone and anyone seeking to better understand themselves. She helps people live Intuitively Wild – dedicated to their true authentic self with confidence and compassion.
Rachel is a Human Design Guide, Herbalist, and Yoga Therapist. She has studied with the best teachers all over the world in each modality, and has most recently finished her herbalism apprenticeship with her mentor in England. Through her podcast, mentorship, group programs, apothecary and more she aims to help all connect deeper to themselves, others and the world around them. Together we learn how to embrace our imperfections and rewild our spirit.
This episode delves into the significance of breathwork in the healing journey, emphasising its role in regulating the nervous system and achieving presence. With my background in yoga and meditation, I explain that breathwork is more than basic breath control; it's a conscious practice that can restore balance within the body and mind, and even alter the body's stress response.
I also include the scientific basis of breathwork, citing studies on its benefits such as enhancing parasympathetic activity, managing pain, and regulating emotions. My personal anecdotes and practical guides on breathwork practices are shared, demonstrating its accessibility and effectiveness in daily life. My session concludes with a guided breathwork and encouragement to incorporate breathwork into routine self-care for improved well-being.
Calling All PractitionersCalling All Practitioners$500 off until Sept. 17 · Apply by Oct. 2 · starts Oct. 22Apply →
New episodes weekly.Real talk on nervous-system healing.Listen →
Calling All PractitionersFounding Cohort · Starts Oct. 22
Early Bird Pricing Ends TodayCalling All Practitioners
The Mind Body Integration training for practitioners is now open. Sign up today by Sept. 17 to save $500.The Mind Body Integration training for practitioners is now open. Apply by Oct. 2 to join the founding cohort.
