RECOMMENDED RESOURCES~
Classes, Articles, Movies, Music, Practitioners, Self-Care
Methods to Study that Complement my Work
Focusing
Focusing is an embodied mindfulness technique which supports practitioners in “being with” all aspects of their experience as opposed to pushing things away or becoming “fused” with them. I have been incorporating it into my practice for awhile and often recommend that clients do supplemental classes or 1:1 sessions in Focusing to enhance their capacity for presence and to support the loosening of chronic emotional patterns.
Meg Stein offers 1:1 sessions and group classes and I highly recommend her work! Her next Level 1 class starts July 8th, 2025!
Cathy Pascal is currently just offering 1:1 work and is also fantastic.
Feldenkrais
Gentle, slow “awareness through movement” lessons. These classes will build your body awareness, improve your movement patterns, and release tension. You'll feel so much better and you’ll get more out of your bodywork sessions when you are able to feel and articulate in more subtle ways.
Read the 2 page article by Moshe Feldenkrais to learn about the philosophy of the work. Then start your study:
The Feldenkrais Project has a curriculum of 52 free/donation based lessons. Do the first few to get oriented to the work.
If you’d prefer to study in real time with a teacher, check out the websites of Fritha Pengelly and Rebecca Davis
Qi Gong
Qi Gong is the movement branch of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), and uses movement, imagery, and intention to improve energy flow and health.
108 Day Qigong Immersion is a fantastic free curriculum. I just went as far as the “Masters’ Sequence,” and have found that sequence to be a powerful tool for balance and regulation~ well worth the effort to learn!
Mindfulness Meditation
Developing a practice of stillness, non-reactivity, and being with yourself in a kind way can be very helpful~ science and experience says!
Mindfulness Daily is a free 40 day mindfulness training program led by Tara Brach and Jack Kornfield. Sessions are 10-15 minutes long and really lovely.
Insight Timer has tons of free guided meditations. I particularly like content by Richard Miller and Tara Brach.
Soul Food
The film, Flow, An absolutely gorgeous animated film about a cat, capybara, lemur, bird, and dog in search of dry land after their home is devastated by a flood. There are no words, but you know exactly what everyone is feeling and the inquiry around surviving change, belonging, and friendship is truly touching.
Music by Daniel Chambo~ This 30 minute piece of music has become one of my favorites to work with in session. It’s called “Deep Sleep” and is a classical Indian piece of music designed to support falling asleep of moving into deep states of meditation.
Self Massage
For the Feet: Taking better care of your feet can support the health of the whole body and help you feel more grounded.
Foot Care with the Little Blue Ball - This 15 minute video shows a self-massage sequence using a small blue ball, which you can buy here (the “mini balls”).
Yamuna Foot Wakers - a more intense sensation.
Foam Rolling: A versatile tool with many self-care applications, from self-massage to strength/conditioning, to resetting the nervous system.
I recommend this foam roller~ the soft 36”x6” one.
Karin Singleton teaches some very effective foam rolling classes. I feel totally realigned and relaxed after her classes, and you can use the foam roller in so many ways for self-care.
Miscellaneous
Movement Classes
Andrea Olsen has some beautiful free online content on “body and earth” - guided somatic explorations exploring the body and nature.
Neck/Jaw/Headache Class~ I created this after realizing that I was teaching a lot of people the same things. Some of my tried-and-true methods for creating more spaciousness in the upper body.
Ask me! I have more recorded movement classes that I can share with those who are interested.
Nervous System Education
Irene Lyon’s work on nervous system regulation is an excellent resource for those wanting to heal from trauma or chronic stress.. I did the “21 Day Tune Up” and thought it was really great. She also has a blog and some free audio recordings.
Books
Meditations for Mortals by Oliver Burkeman. Short daily readings to support embracing our limited capacity to control life and our finite time and lean into what matters with more ease. Great for achievers, perfectionists, or those prone to anxiety or stress.
Photo Credit Nikki Lee