09/24/2024
Fad or Fundamental?
How do you know if “nervous system work” is a fad or if you should REALLY pay attention and start integrating it in earnest?
Often times, when I start talking to folks about “nervous system work”, I hear things like:
🧐 I hear “nervous system” everywhere. It seems like a fad, which I try to avoid. (That is typically ME!)
🧐 Isn’t it for therapists?
🧐 My therapist has mentioned it, I think.
🧐 I do breath work with my clients. What else is there to calming the nervous system?
🧐 I’ve been doing “nervous system work” for ages.
🧐 I meditate. That’s nervous system work, isn't’ it?
🧐 I already do vagal toning with my students/clients, but don’t really talk about their nervous system.
🧐 It’s all over Instagram. I’m not really sure what to trust or how much I should invest in understanding more.
🧐 I hear they’ve totally debunked the Polyvagal Theory.
🧐 I took a workshop on the vagus nerve (Obviously awesome! I teach those, haha 🙂)
🧐 I’ve dabbled with the nervous system, but don’t really see how it supports what I do.
I’ve been hearing these responses for a long time from a lot of people. And it makes sense. It’s appropriate. A lot of these things I’ve either said or thought about other emerging theories, frameworks, and new ways of teaching, coaching, or entrepreneuring (that should be a word ;)
It’s good to be dubious and to question and to feel unsure of things that “everyone” is talking about.
But the truth is, our modern understanding of the nervous system, particularly via what the Polyvagal Theory has unearthed (35 years of science and research), are informing the way we:
🌿 Create cultures and environments of psychological safety
🌿 Support people, of all ages, on the spectrum connect with others and the world in a less threatening way
🌿 Help clients navigate trauma and alleviate chronic pain
🌿 Support clients (individuals and organizations) navigate deep and fundamental behavior change and change of all kinds
🌿 Enhance embodiment and develop a greater capacity for complexity and challenge
🌿 Enliven play, elevate joy, and improve performance
🌿 And so much more
The Nervous System Integration Facilitator Training + Certification Program (NSIF) Anne Bishop and I have created through The Embodied Business Institute is based on more than 40+ years of research and application from experts like ⭐️ Dr. Gabor Mate, ⭐️ Dr. Stephen Porges, ⭐️ Deb Dana LCSW, ⭐️ Bessel van der Kolk M.D, and others.
Together Anne and I have more than a combined 20+ years experience in brain-based education + nervous system-based behavior change...
We bring to the program knowledge and certifications from:
🧠 Deb Dana, Creator of Rhythm of Regulation and Author of many books on the nervous system including "Anchored"
🧠 Dr. Stephen Porges, creator of the Polyvagal Theory
🧠 Michael Allison, Creator of the PlayZone - A Polyvagal-driven coaching certificate program
🧠 The Polyvagal Institute - The Polyvagal Certificate Program
🧠 The Neuroleadership Institute
🧠 Center for Applied Special Technology (CAST) as a Universal 🧠 Design for Learning Educator
🧠 The Neuroleadership Institute as a Brain Based Coach
As well as certifications from dozens of somatic, healing, educational, and business institutions, compiling tens of thousands of hours in study and practice in these fields.
If you have a desire to explore what it means to REALLY learn the powerful and life-changing nervous system work that will help you and your clients do all of these things (up there) and likely more, I invite you to explore the NSIF program:
https://www.theembodiedbusinessinstitute.com/nervous-system-integration-facilitator-training