I recently completed my 6th module as part of a 2-year Gestalt equine therapy training program with the Gestalt Equine Institute of the Rockies (GEIR) in Colorado. I never imagined this path for me. I’m not a horse person or a therapist. I was drawn to this program after listening to master therapist Duey Freeman on various podcasts because I craved a deeper understanding of human behavior and how people truly heal and change.
With only 2 modules left, I am grateful for the incredible GEIR community led by master therapist and teacher Duey Freeman, along with the supportive faculty, participants, and horses at the Happy Dog Ranch's new spacious location in Sedalia, CO. All contributed to creating the perfect environment for exploring the mind-body-breath connections. The immersive learning experiences in this program have expanded me in ways that make me a better parent, coach, friend, sister, human.
I am sharing a few takeaways from the recent somatics module that you might find intriguing and beneficial for your own exploration:
Breathe with your full core,
all the way to your pelvic floor and perineum!
Well, I said on day #1 of this somatic module that I was hoping to learn how to better help myself and others get out of our heads and back into our bodies, so that we can tune into the wisdom of our bodies, senses, and intuition. And, so we can regulate our nervous systems and navigate our emotional triggers and responses with greater presence, groundedness and connection to ourselves and others. Start with your breath, whole core, belly, pelvic floor breathing! The button below will take you to a great resource for understanding this practice and it's importance.
Presence and peacock feathers!
This fun exercise revealed for me that How I do one thing is how I do everything! My desire for mastery took over as I competed with myself to balance the peacock feather on my finger. Presence, mindfulness, and groundedness are beneficial for this activity!
Grab a feather and give it a try!
Energy and emotions get blocked in our bodies from early ages.
Fascinating to learn about the 5 basic Reichian character structures and how our first years of life create an imprint on our body structures and how we react when stressed, overwhelmed, or triggered. Our physical blocks are considered unconscious muscle contractions that are developed as developmental strategies to limit emotional awareness and protect against strong feelings.
Full core breathing, grounding and posture alignment all help to unblock our physical bodies and allow our natural flow of energy and emotions. And, if you are flooded with a build up of intense emotions, overwhelm, or stress, SIMPLY MOVE. Dance to your favorite song like no one's watching. Head out for a walk in nature. Any type of physical movement will help you get back into your body and move your energy and emotions through you. Try it! And if this interests you, I encourage you to click below to learn more about the 5 Basic Reichian Structures.
Yielding, Pushing, Reaching, Grasping, Pulling
Oh what I wish I had known when my children were babies. These actions are early developmental movements that are part of the Satisfaction Cycle. You can check out the resource link below to learn more. Then, ask yourself where do you get stuck in this cycle, even as an adult? Which of these movements is toughest for you?
May these insights serve as an inspiration for you to reflect, engage, and explore your own path of self-discovery.
If you would like to dive deeper into these concepts or your own coaching topics together, check out my Spark Coaching Calls.
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