Kawa is the Japanese word for ‘river’. The Kawa Model uses the metaphor of a river to represent a person's life journey.

Occupational therapists try to support, restore and maximize their clients’ life flow.

The Kawa Model can be used in its original form of a river, or broken down into the following 5 elements:

i. River Flow - life flow and priorities

ii. River Banks - environments / contexts, social and physical

iii. Rocks – obstacles & challenges

iv. Driftwood – influencing factors

v. Spaces – Opportunities for enhancing flow

Kawa Model: https://kawamodel.com/download/KawaMadeEasy2015.pdf

““Do the best you can until you know better. Then when you know better, do better.” Maya Angelou

⁠Ashlea's Website: https://www.ashleadwalter.com/artwork⁠

⁠Ashlea's Colouring Book on Amazon: ⁠https://www.amazon.ca/Coloring-Book-Anxiety-Relief-Mindfulness/dp/B0CGL4FZJG

⁠Ashlea's IG: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/ashleadwalter/

⁠Ashlea's YouTube: ⁠https://www.youtube.com/@AshleaDWalter/videos

Viola Desmond (1914-1965)

• Viola lived in Halifax Nova Scotia
• She stood up to Canada's racist laws in 1946
• She opened Vi's Studio of Beauty Culture
• In 1944 she opened Desmond School of Beauty Culture, which was the first school in Canada to train Black beauty culturists.

• She stood up to racist policies in movie theatres in 1946 when she refused to leave a whites-only seat in a movie Theatre in New Glasgow.
• She was convicted of a minor tax violation for the one-cent tax difference between the seat that she had paid for and the seat that she used, even though she wanted to pay the difference.
• She was arrested and spent a night in jail and pais a fine of $20 and $6 legal fees.

• Viola appealed the fine with the Supreme Court but she lost.
• In 2010 Viola received a pardon for this situation.
• Viola appears on Canada's $10 bill and she was the first black person and non-royal female to appear on Canadian currency.

Resource: "Amazing Black Atlantic Canadians: Inspiring Stories of Courage and Achievement." by Lindsay Ruck

““Do the best you can until you know better. Then when you know better, do better.” Maya Angelou

⁠Ashlea's Website: https://www.ashleadwalter.com/artwork⁠

⁠Ashlea's Colouring Book on Amazon: ⁠https://www.amazon.ca/Coloring-Book-Anxiety-Relief-Mindfulness/dp/B0CGL4FZJG

⁠Ashlea's IG: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/ashleadwalter/

⁠Ashlea's YouTube: ⁠https://www.youtube.com/@AshleaDWalter/videos

ROYALTY FREE MUSIC: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SButDYqsLus

In this Episode we talk about Eros, the Sex Retreat Kirstin is hosting in Mexico March 17 - 22, 2026 and what it means to feel the Aliveness of Life. We discussed how painting and creativity are closely tied to the aliveness that sex also allows us to tap into. You don't want to miss this Episode!

Kirstin is offering the Early Bird Pricing to Podcast listeners so please mention the Podcast if you connect with her about the Retreat. Only 2 Spots left!

Kirstin's Website: https://www.kirstinhotellingzona.com/

The Sex Retreat: https://sexretreat.info/

"Your soul is tired of waiting for you to feel more alive." Nick Wilton

⁠Ashlea's Website: https://www.ashleadwalter.com/artwork⁠

⁠Ashlea's Colouring Book on Amazon: ⁠https://www.amazon.ca/Coloring-Book-Anxiety-Relief-Mindfulness/dp/B0CGL4FZJG

⁠Ashlea's IG: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/ashleadwalter/

⁠Ashlea's YouTube: ⁠https://www.youtube.com/@AshleaDWalter/videos

ROYALTY FREE MUSIC: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SButDYqsLus

My Favourite Regulation Tools:

1. Deeper than regular breaths OR Box Breathing: 4 counts in, Hold for 4 counts, 4 breaths out, out for 4 breaths
2. EFT Tapping (see link to Podcast Below)
3. Saying "I am safe...I am loved"
4. Crying (this could be #1 and I forgot to mention it...energy in motion!)
5. Orientation to 5 Things:

• 5 Things you can see
• 4 Things you can Touch
• 3 Things you can Hear
• 2 Things you can smell
• 1 Thing you can taste

Sadness

Wrap in blanket, hand on chest, hands on arms in self-hug, sway gently, warm bath or shower, cry if safe to do so

“It’s okay to be slow right now.”

Loneliness

Hum, talk to self, or create art or collage

“I am allowed to want connection.”

Anger

Punch lightly, stomp, scribble art

“Something in me needs protecting.”

Fear / Scared

Look around, draw protective shapes, hum, Orientation to present

“This is now, not then.”

Anxiety

Tap foot, to alternating knees, draw patterns, slow rhythmic breath

“I am safe enough in this moment.”

Overwhelm

Dim lights, single-color art, simple movement, orientation to 5 things

“I only need to do one thing.”

Guilt / Shame

Hand on heart/stomach, write/tear paper

“I am human. I can move forward.”

Joy / Pleasure

Sway, dance, bright colors, savor senses

“I can notice and enjoy this.”

Curiosity / Surprise

Explore small things, journal, short stretches

“I can explore safely and learn.”

Disgust / Revulsion

Shake limbs, draw boundaries, orient

“I can protect myself safely.”

FEELINGS WHEEL

Find on that resonates with you but here's one to start with

https://feelingswheel.com/

Episode I mentioned in this Podcast:

EFT tapping Podcast Episode 10: Emotional Freedom Technique

https://www.ashleadwalter.com/podcast/episode-10-eft-tapping

⁠Ashlea's Website: https://www.ashleadwalter.com/artwork⁠

⁠Ashlea's Colouring Book on Amazon: ⁠https://www.amazon.ca/Coloring-Book-Anxiety-Relief-Mindfulness/dp/B0CGL4FZJG

⁠Ashlea's IG: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/ashleadwalter/

⁠Ashlea's YouTube: ⁠https://www.youtube.com/@AshleaDWalter/videos

ROYALTY FREE MUSIC: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SButDYqsLus

The Coaching Framework (Categories for Human Experience) helps a coach organize the client's experience so the coach can understand it better and help identify distressing or unhelpful thoughts more efficiently.

The Coaching Framework works like this:

• (C) Circumstances or facts drive our Thoughts

• (T) Our Thoughts influence our Feelings (and vice versa)

• (F) Our Feelings or Sensations influence our behaviours or (A) Actions (and vice versa)

LINKS:

Episode 6: Unhelpful Thinking Styles: https://www.ashleadwalter.com/podcast/episode-6-unhelpful-thinking-styles

⁠Ashlea's Website: https://www.ashleadwalter.com/artwork⁠

⁠Ashlea's Colouring Book on Amazon: ⁠https://www.amazon.ca/Coloring-Book-Anxiety-Relief-Mindfulness/dp/B0CGL4FZJG

⁠Ashlea's IG: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/ashleadwalter/

⁠Ashlea's YouTube: ⁠https://www.youtube.com/@AshleaDWalter/videos

Byron Katie "The Work": https://thework.com/

ROYALTY FREE MUSIC: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SButDYqsLus

In this week's Episode, I discuss what Energy Conservation is and how I use it in an Occupational Therapy role as well as as a Life Coach. Energy Conservation is simple saving energy and tips on how to do that. Energy Conservation is based on 5 P's:

1. Pacing
2. Positioning
3. Planning
4. Prioritizing
5. Problem Solving

I give tips for EC for the bathroom, grooming/dressing, Bathing, Laundry, Cleaning, Cooking and transportation.

Let me know if you have any questions or comments.

⁠Ashlea's Website: https://www.ashleadwalter.com/artwork⁠

⁠Ashlea's Colouring Book on Amazon: ⁠https://www.amazon.ca/Coloring-Book-Anxiety-Relief-Mindfulness/dp/B0CGL4FZJG

⁠Ashlea's IG: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/ashleadwalter/

⁠Ashlea's YouTube: ⁠https://www.youtube.com/@AshleaDWalter/videos

Here is a guided visualization to help you connect with your dreams. Sometimes coaching clients have a hard time even letting themselves dream about what they really want so hopefully this can help.

Remember:

• Trust yourself
• Trust your Life
• Trust your dreams

Background Music: License: Creative Commons Attribution license (reuse allowed): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dDTYv-F20sE&list=PLzUWQHotbql3pMZsAn9S4-eiWIYoXBKb5&index=5

"Your soul is tired of waiting for you to feel more alive." Nick Wilton

⁠Ashlea's Website: https://www.ashleadwalter.com/artwork⁠

⁠Ashlea's Colouring Book on Amazon: ⁠https://www.amazon.ca/Coloring-Book-Anxiety-Relief-Mindfulness/dp/B0CGL4FZJG

⁠Ashlea's IG: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/ashleadwalter/

⁠Ashlea's YouTube: ⁠https://www.youtube.com/@AshleaDWalter/videos

Change Cycle Square 4 - THE PROMISED LAND

Mantra "Change is happening and that's okay."

• Things are working well
• Kids are sleeping through the night
• You've had surgery and are healed and stronger
• You're "back" but "different."
• Trust your "wings" and enjoy the fruits of your labour.
• Make small adjustments
• Live in continuous creative response to everything

Two things to do in this Square:

1. Rest until you feel like playing

2. Play until you feel like resting

Question: How good are you willing to let it get?

Question: What do you REALLY want?

⁠Ashlea's Website: https://www.ashleadwalter.com/artwork⁠

⁠Ashlea's Colouring Book on Amazon: ⁠https://www.amazon.ca/Coloring-Book-Anxiety-Relief-Mindfulness/dp/B0CGL4FZJG

⁠Ashlea's IG: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/ashleadwalter/

⁠Ashlea's YouTube: ⁠https://www.youtube.com/@AshleaDWalter/videos

Martha Beck Change Cycle Image www.ashleadwalter.com/life-cycle-image

The Change Cycle Square 3 - The Hero's Journey

"This is much harder than I expected and that's okay."

*** I talk about the poor audio in the intro to this episode but it's fitting because this was a mistake and the whole episode is about taking action and making mistakes so I left the poor audio in!***

Square 3 is about:

- Taking Action

- Making mistakes, learning from them

- The more you struggle, the stronger you become like the butterfly

- BIG effort

- External Changes

⁠Ashlea's Website: https://www.ashleadwalter.com/artwork⁠

⁠Ashlea's Colouring Book on Amazon: ⁠https://www.amazon.ca/Coloring-Book-Anxiety-Relief-Mindfulness/dp/B0CGL4FZJG

⁠Ashlea's IG: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/ashleadwalter/

⁠Ashlea's YouTube: ⁠https://www.youtube.com/@AshleaDWalter/videos

Martha Beck Change Cycle Image www.ashleadwalter.com/life-cycle-image

Square 2 DREAMING & SCHEMING Key Points:

Mantra: "There are no rules and that's okay."

- You'll get thoughts or ideas about something you want to do and maybe never done before.

- You'll have day dreams and night dreams.

- What does your future look like?

- Who do you want to be? What does this FEEL like?

- ACTION: Make a dream or vision board

- ACTION: Wear different clothes or jewelry or hair styles

- ACTION: Change your home decor or "upgrade" a few items that are older or that you would like to improve.

⁠Ashlea's Website: https://www.ashleadwalter.com/artwork⁠

⁠Ashlea's Colouring Book on Amazon: ⁠https://www.amazon.ca/Coloring-Book-Anxiety-Relief-Mindfulness/dp/B0CGL4FZJG

⁠Ashlea's IG: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/ashleadwalter/

⁠Ashlea's YouTube: ⁠https://www.youtube.com/@AshleaDWalter/videos

Martha Beck Change Cycle Image www.ashleadwalter.com/life-cycle-image