EMBODY with Michelle Major

This week I am=
joined by Alex Greene, who began studying the mind body connection in Hawaii in 2000 through Zen meditation and traditional martial arts.   This lead to a curiosity in structural bodywork.  Alex found that becoming certified in bodywork was the 'missing ingredient' in his practice at that time.  This lead to further comprehensive trainings in understanding the systems of the body.  He then became aware of the connection between hands-on bodywork and psycho-emotional trauma connected to the body.  This lead to many further advanced trainings such as, Somatic Experiencing, NARM, DARe, Brainspotting, Safe & Sound Protocol, and TRE. 

You can read all about Alex's extensive trainings on his website:
https://www.redbeardsomatictherapy.com

During this deeply meaningful, warm and rich conversation, we discuss:

• Zen Mediation & mindfulness 
• Martial Arts & movement 
• Bodywork & the nervous system
• Somatic Experiencing 
• Early Developmental Trauma
• Implicit and explicit memory
• Attunement 
• Co-regulation
• Repair & recovery

  I hope you enjoy the conversation!

Alex also has an embodiment podcast you can listen to on the following links:

https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLC2PAl90RM1NbZ6L0bsszykDzz-wLF47Q

https://www.redbeardsomatictherapy.com/podcast

Support the show

Thanks for listening!

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If you'd like to explore how my Somatic Experiencing Trauma Therapy can support you, please get in touch to book a free consultation.

Registration has now opened for our trauma-informed Certified Laughter Yoga Leader training in March. Click here to learn more and register.

Warmly,

Michelle xx

In this episode, Michelle, is joined by Birth Doula, Sara Benetti.  Sara is passionate about protecting the birth experience and supporting women throughout their pregnancy so they feel empowered to create a birth plan of their choice.

During this rich and warm conversation, we discuss:

• The role of a Doula 
• The benefits a Doula can bring to the birthing experience 
• Why birth has become overly medicalised 
• Birth trauma 
• Why birth matters and stays with us 
• Healing, repair & recovery

If you would like to work with Sara, you can contact her at www.doulani.co.uk

Support the show

Thanks for listening!

Follow me on Facebook or Instagram.

If you'd like to explore how my Somatic Experiencing Trauma Therapy can support you, please get in touch to book a free consultation.

Registration has now opened for our trauma-informed Certified Laughter Yoga Leader training in March. Click here to learn more and register.

Warmly,

Michelle xx

I am beyond excited to bring you season 2 of EMBODY - launching on Monday 17th July.   Make sure you're following the feed so you don't miss an episode!  

Here's a little sneak peak at some of the interesting and informative topics myself and my guests will be discussing during season 2:

• Pregnancy
• Birth
• Early Developmental Trauma 
• Attachement Styles 
• Memory & the brain 
• Sexuality 
• Embodied Consent 

I'll be taking a little break in between the seasons to rest and recharge!

Looking forward to reconnecting with you all on Monday 17th July.

Support the show

Thanks for listening!

Follow me on Facebook or Instagram.

If you'd like to explore how my Somatic Experiencing Trauma Therapy can support you, please get in touch to book a free consultation.

Registration has now opened for our trauma-informed Certified Laughter Yoga Leader training in March. Click here to learn more and register.

Warmly,

Michelle xx

To celebrate our 10th episode and end of our first season of EMBODY, Michelle shares one of her most favourite and popular embodied relaxation practices!  (For obvious reasons, please do not drive whilst listening to this).

In today's modern and busy world, embodied relaxation is a gentle and safe way to reconnect to the body, inviting all parts to release tension and stress.   It offers rest-bite for the mind and all the thoughts we think every single day.  In case you're wondering, we think on average 50,000 thoughts every day!

This down-regulation practice is particularly beneficial for anyone who experiences a lot of fight/flight energy in their body, which can feel like living in a state of hypervigilance (constantly assessing the level of threat around you).  It can also be helpful for anyone who disconnects from their body a lot.

This embodied practice is also helpful for stress in general, sleep issues and reducing feelings of overwhelm.

Hope you enjoy!

If you'd like to explore how I work in more detail, I am hosting an online workshop on Tuesday 18th July from 7pm to 8.30pm on A Body Centred Approach to Anxiety.  Please click here to learn more and book your space.  Tickets are currently half price at just £25.

Support the show

Thanks for listening!

Follow me on Facebook or Instagram.

If you'd like to explore how my Somatic Experiencing Trauma Therapy can support you, please get in touch to book a free consultation.

Registration has now opened for our trauma-informed Certified Laughter Yoga Leader training in March. Click here to learn more and register.

Warmly,

Michelle xx

In this episode I am joined  by Carol Smyth, who is an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC), La Leche League Leader, author, and CBT Therapist based in Northern Ireland.

Carol shares my passion for the nervous system and neuroscience - weaving both into her educational materials and in her private practice.

We chat about:

• The earliest days of becoming a new mum and how difficult they are
• Why breastfeeding is so challenging and requires lots of support  
• The expectations and pressures mothers feel in today's modern culture
• The shift in the family structure from being in close proximity living in community to living miles apart from grandparents and siblings
• How our brains haven't evolved at the same pace as our modern culture
• Biological norms V's social norms
• When we follow our mothering instincts we naturally attune and co-regulate with our babies  
• How cuddling, rocking, humming, and singing helps settle both our nervous system and the little nervous system's of our babies/young children when they are distressed
• Inviting compassion & repair into our mothering
  
  

You can get in touch with Carol via the following channels:

https://www.carolsmyth.co.uk

https://www.instagram.com/mammae_carolsmythibclc/

https://www.facebook.com/mammae.carolsmyth/

Support the show

Thanks for listening!

Follow me on Facebook or Instagram.

If you'd like to explore how my Somatic Experiencing Trauma Therapy can support you, please get in touch to book a free consultation.

Registration has now opened for our trauma-informed Certified Laughter Yoga Leader training in March. Click here to learn more and register.

Warmly,

Michelle xx

This is episode, Michelle, explores the polarisation of our wellbeing world and why we need a more integrative approach to healing, especially when working with the nervous system.  

Michelle shares:

• What is polarisation?
• Examples of the types of polarisation that exists in wellbeing, for example, mindset, meditation, yoga, somatic's
• A trauma-lens view on polarisation
• How her own existential crisis lead to so much growth and wisdom within her professional practice
• The importance of support & supervision 
• Why we need an integrative approach
• Michelle's '5 key elements to healing' which she integrates into her personal sessions

Support the show

Thanks for listening!

Follow me on Facebook or Instagram.

If you'd like to explore how my Somatic Experiencing Trauma Therapy can support you, please get in touch to book a free consultation.

Registration has now opened for our trauma-informed Certified Laughter Yoga Leader training in March. Click here to learn more and register.

Warmly,

Michelle xx

In this episode, Michelle, shares the difference between stress, trauma and the impact this has on the nervous system.  

Please mind yourself during this conversation.  Even the word trauma can be activating for our nervous system.

Michelle discusses:

• How short-term stressors impact the nervous system
• When stress develops into chronic stress
• The difference between stress, chronic stress & trauma
• What is trauma?
• The holistic approach to trauma repair and recovery
• Why we are biopsychosocial and how this influences how our nervous system capacity
• The conditions needed in order to repair, recover and heal
• Why attunement and co-regulation is important
• Building resources & reaching for support

Please note there is a little sound interference during parts of this episode, which unfortunately couldn’t be fully removed.  The issue was caused by the mic and has been resolved for next weeks recording.

Thank you for your understanding. 

Support the show

Thanks for listening!

Follow me on Facebook or Instagram.

If you'd like to explore how my Somatic Experiencing Trauma Therapy can support you, please get in touch to book a free consultation.

Registration has now opened for our trauma-informed Certified Laughter Yoga Leader training in March. Click here to learn more and register.

Warmly,

Michelle xx

On this episode I am joined by Julie Preston, Founder of TruYou Yoga Wellness, Senior Yoga Teacher (Yoga Alliance Professionals UK), Ayurvedic Yoga Therapist, Kirtan Leader and Trauma Informed Holistic Coach.

We dive deep in this conversation!  

Julie openly shares the pivotal moments in her life that changed the trajectory of her career, health and love life!  From from living in London with a stressful director level job, addicted to adrenalin and exercise, to discovering stillness and her breathe on a yoga mat.  Julie's breakdown ultimately became her breakthrough. 

We chat about:

• The pressures of living up to society's expectation 
• How constant override can lead to burnout
• The lessons we can learn from burning out
• Why yoga is more than just yoga positions 
• Unresolved trauma & menopause 
• Menopause, culture & society 
• The healing power of music
• Why we need connection & community

If you'd like to work with Julie, you can visit her website - https://www.truyouyoga.co.uk/

Or follow her on Instagram - @truyouwellness.yoga 

I hope you enjoy this conversation as much as I did.  

Warmly,

Michelle xx

Support the show

Thanks for listening!

Follow me on Facebook or Instagram.

If you'd like to explore how my Somatic Experiencing Trauma Therapy can support you, please get in touch to book a free consultation.

Registration has now opened for our trauma-informed Certified Laughter Yoga Leader training in March. Click here to learn more and register.

Warmly,

Michelle xx

In this episode, Michelle, shares why our nervous system can have a big emotional response to something that is deemed 'routine' and how our mind will want to constantly over-ride the somatic self.

Michelle discusses:

*  Why boundary ruptures can make these routine appointments more challenging;
*  Even though we know in our mind that we need these life-saving procedures, our body might have a completely different emotional response, leaving us feeling confused;
*  Why lying on a treatment bed automatically puts our nervous system in a state of immobility, meaning we find it more difficult to access our agency;
*  Practical resources to help support your nervous system.

Thanks for listening.

Michelle xx

Support the show

Thanks for listening!

Follow me on Facebook or Instagram.

If you'd like to explore how my Somatic Experiencing Trauma Therapy can support you, please get in touch to book a free consultation.

Registration has now opened for our trauma-informed Certified Laughter Yoga Leader training in March. Click here to learn more and register.

Warmly,

Michelle xx

Welcome to part 2 of my conversation with Lisa de Jong.  I really enjoyed these conversations.  I hope they resonate and touch you too.  

In this episode we discuss :

• The stages and seasons of our menstrual cycle 
• Why rest is so important 
• All the different ways we can rest when we are busy
• What self-care looks like when we are connected with our menstrual cycle
• Compassionate care for self
• How burnout can happen when we continue to power through our periods 
• How our menstrual cycle can affect our nervous system sensitivity 

If you'd like to work with Lisa, you can contact her on www.lisadejongcoaching.com

Support the show

Thanks for listening!

Follow me on Facebook or Instagram.

If you'd like to explore how my Somatic Experiencing Trauma Therapy can support you, please get in touch to book a free consultation.

Registration has now opened for our trauma-informed Certified Laughter Yoga Leader training in March. Click here to learn more and register.

Warmly,

Michelle xx