Why it's okay to crawl into a cave
Dear One,
Next time you find yourself wanting to crawl into a cave and hide ... just do it.
You might have to wait a few hours until it's a socially appropriate setting. And the cave might be a heavy blanket. And you might feel silly pulling the blanket over your head. But chances are, your nervous system will appreciate it. And the feeling will usually, eventually, shift.
Just like your nervous system might appreciate repeatedly throwing a beanbag at the wall (safely). Or running in place, pumping your arms, punching the air. Or screaming in your car.
Our bodies are sometimes very basic. Feeling threatened? Let's get ready to fight! Feeling scared? Let's run away and hide! Feeling confused about how to respond? Let's lie down and play dead until is passes!
Yup, your body is basic.
But our social brains are trained to not give into our Basic B(ody) instincts. It's much more socially acceptable/safe to ruminate, argue in your head, send a passive aggressive email, vent to a friend, bully yourself into not feeling a feeling, use your favorite dissociation hack, etc. We sometimes don't have the option to follow instincts, and sometimes it's better we don't. But the energy has to go somewhere, right?
What I've seen, time and time again, both in my yoga therapy office and in my emerging clinical work, is how grateful our nervous systems are when they get to (safely) act out their fight/flight/freeze responses. This requires practice in reading nervous systems, and having a toolbox of options that can satisfy, safely and appropriately, what the body has been stifling. I dare say it's ... fun.
Below are spaces to play with nervous system regulation, both personally, and professionally if you're looking for training! Reach out with any questions, comments, or reflections ... I love hearing from you.
In a nutshell:
YOGA THERAPY TRAINING: This fall, I'll be facilitating another 35-hour Trauma-Informed Yoga Therapy Training. If you're a yoga teacher, a clinical therapist, a yoga therapist, or another related kind of healing and recovery professional, this training may be for you. Starts Saturday Sept. 30th!
FALL WORKSHOPS!! The next Befriending Stillness: Radically Restorative Yoga Workshop is Saturday, September 30th from 6:30-8pm.
WEEKLY CLASS: My weekly Flow & Restore drop-in classes are Sundays, 6-7:15pm (in-person, livestream, or recorded for 48hrs).
YOGA THERAPY: I have some openings in my yoga therapy practice and am currently doing intake sessions with potential new clients to assess for mutual fit! You can use the online scheduler to see pricing info and book a session.
Navigating alongside you,
~Alex
PS: If you do the Instagram thing, let's connect at @alexbauermeisteryogatherapy. And for some music to help you ride the waves of this time, check out my public playlists on Spotify under abauermeister. And ... I always love hearing how these newsletters land with you. Send me a note if you're so inspired!
