Lynda McCloskey, Soul Guide

03/25/2024

The 4-week online workshop series starts on
Sunday, April. 7th
In this series, we will first experiment with color and mark-making with acrylic paints. Then we'll sketch a face and create imaginary worlds inside and around them by using paint, collages, paint pens, and stencils.
You don't need any prior painting experience.
More info and to register for the class:
https://tinyurl.com/2pjz6nwe

08/28/2022

GIVE until it touches the Divine.

RECEIVE until it touches the Divine.

Living as the Beloved

This was beautifully felt in my morning meditation. 💕♥️💕

06/13/2021

7 Polyvagal Theory Practices To Help You Heal Trauma, Develop Interoception, & Move Between Autonomic Nervous System States

As a follow up to yesterday's article "How Learning Polyvagal Theory & "Interoception" Can Help You Heal Trauma (& Open Your Heart)," I wanted to share more of my Cliff Notes from Deb Dana's book The Polyvagal Theory In Therapy, which I'm studying as part of my curriculum development for my non-profit work at Heal At Last and to help me train health care providers to be more trauma-informed in the Whole Health Medicine Institute. If you haven't read yesterday's article, read that first so you understand polyvagal theory and the importance of using these practices as a core, foundational step to healing trauma (and the physical and mental illnesses trauma causes.)

Here are a few exercises to help you develop your "interoception" (awareness of the state of your Autonomic Nervous System) so you can become more aware when your nervous system is in the Ventral Vagal (open, relaxed, socially connected, safe), the Sympathetic (hyper-aroused, activated, "fight or flight"), or the Dorsal Vagal (hypo-aroused, collapsed, dissociated, "freeze.")

1. MAP YOUR AUTONOMIC NERVOUS SYSTEM (ANS)
When you're in Dorsal Vagal, think about how you sleep, your relationship to food, any stimulating substances (caffeine, ci******es, co***ne), stimulating behaviors (s*x, working out) or subduing substances (alcohol, ma*****na) that you might use to get you out of this state. Make note of and map out what survival strategies you might use when you feel collapsed, frozen, or immobilized.

When you're in Dorsal Vagal, complete these two sentences:
I am...
The world is...

When you're in Sympathetic, how does your sleep, your relationship to food, and any stimulating substances (caffeine, ci******es, co***ne), stimulating behaviors (s*x, working out), or subduing substances (alcohol, ma*****na) that you might use to get you out of this state change? Make note of and map out what survival strategies you might use when you feel like you have too much energy, you're overstimulated, you're full of adrenaline, or you're tempted to fight or flee.

When you're in Sympathetic, complete these two sentences:
I am...
The world is...

What about when you're in the healthy, restorative, relaxation response-inducing, socially connected, safe Ventral Vagal? How does your sleep, relationship to food, or engagement with any stimulating substances (caffeine, ci******es, co***ne), stimulating behaviors (s*x, working out), or subduing substances (alcohol, ma*****na) that you might use to get you out of this state change? Make note of and map out how you react when your nervous system feels safe, relaxed, connected to others, and open.

When you're in Ventral Vagal, complete these two sentences:
I am...
The world is...

2. TRIGGERS & GLIMMERS
What triggers Dorsal Vagal?
What triggers Sympathetic?
What "glimmers" activate Ventral Vagal and make you feel safe, loved, connected, relaxed, open-hearted, and content?

3. REPRESENT YOUR ANS
Choose an object that represents all three states of the autonomic nervous system.

4. WRITING EXERCISE: Write about all three states: Dorsal Vagal, Sympathetic, Ventral Vagal

Write about what you to do to move from one state to another? How do you get unstuck? How do you get energized if you're collapsed? How do you discharge energy if there's too much in your system? How do you open your heart and reconnect socially?

5. PUT YOUR ANS TO MUSIC
Make playlists for each autonomic state.

Build a playlist of songs that activate sensations and feelings of Ventral Vagal connection

Play songs of safety (Ventral Vagal) intermixed with songs that activate Dorsal Vagal collapse and Sympathetic arousal so you can learn to move between states without getting stuck in any one state.

6. DANCE WITH YOUR ANS
Make a body movement or even a whole dance for each autonomic state.

Have someone else mirror your movements so you can see what your body does in response to each state.

Pendulate between Ventral Vagal movements/dances and shorter Dorsal Vagal/ Sympathetic movements/dances- moving in and out. Invite someone else to mirror you so you're not alone (you're practicing relating via your ANS states.)

Experiment between leading the movement (without someone else mirroring) and following the lead of someone else's movement (mirroring them). What you're doing is teaching your autonomic nervous systems to communicate with each other wordlessly- via movement.

7. NOTICE & NAME

Make it a practice to tune in many times during the day for a "Notice & Name" practice. Set an alarm on your phone to remind you to check in with yourself.
1. Tune into your thoughts, feelings, and the way your body feels
2. Notice where you are on your autonomic map (Ventral Vagal, Sympathetic, Dorsal Vagal)
3. Name the state
4. Bring curiosity. What is there to learn from your autonomic nervous system in this moment?

* These exercises are best done with the support of a trauma therapist trained to facilitate this, but if you don’t have access to someone trained or can’t afford it, at least try to do this with a safe, trusted friend.

05/28/2021

03/10/2021

If you are needing support, reach out for a free consult. ❤ I offer Somatic and Spiritual Counseling providing Body, Mind & Soul Therapy. I work with clients who desire to live from their innate fullness and are ready to understand and release the wounds that stand in the way of this longing.

Through this somatic journey, a compassionate bridge is built, self-trust is established, self-worth is embodied, and boundaries are grounded in a healthy relationship with Self.

My work is an integration of Spiritual Counseling, Life Coaching, NeuroAffective Touch, Somatic Experiencing, Inner Child Work, CranioSacral Therapy, Reiki, and Guided Meditation Journeys.

03/03/2021

At the root of Self-Love is COMPASSION

When we learn to understand the exiled parts of ourselves; the parts that feel not enough, unworthy, and stuck in the loop of judgment, a compassionate response begins to happen.

Click the below link for a Somatic Awareness Practice. Enjoy

Body, Mind & Soul Therapy is a way to deepen your connection with yourself and Life. Sessions include counseling for life guidance that supports clarity, direction, and practical actions while releasing the physical, emotional, and mental burdens that keep you from moving forward. This is a safe spa...