Imagine yourself deep in a dense, ancient jungle. The path is overgrown, tangled with vines of past experiences, and lined with towering trees of ingrained survival mechanisms. This isn’t just any landscape – it’s the metaphorical terrain of your nervous system, where every well-worn trail represents a pattern you’ve learned to navigate for survival.

Why You’re Stuck in the Jungle of Dis-Ease

Stress acts like an unexpected predator emerging from the shadows. Typically, our body’s natural response system would sound an alert, mobilize defenses, and then efficiently return to a state of calm once the threat has passed. However, when traumatic experiences or chronic stress disrupt this balance, our internal mechanisms become stuck. 

You may be constantly on high alert – vibrating with tension and anxiety – or become so overwhelmed that you shut down, losing motivation and vitality. Sometimes we layer coping mechanisms on top – caffeine, tobacco, carbs, over-exercising, drugs, etc; these may work for a while, only to make things worse later. 

This state of nervous system dysregulation creates a chronic imbalance that often manifests as persistent physical symptoms – from gut health issues to weight gain to headaches and more – that resist conventional healing approaches.

Familiar Discomfort is Easier than Unfamiliar Risk

Each time you’ve encountered threat or uncertainty, your nervous system has carved out a specific route for self-protection. These paths might look like people-pleasing, shutting down during conflict, or running from vulnerability. 

It can also manifest with physical symptoms like high blood pressure, digestive distress, brain fog, anxiety and more! These coping mechanisms feel uncomfortable, but it’s a known discomfort. 

Taking the path of least resistance, your nervous system would rather stick to known treacherous terrain than venture into the unknown where a smooth path may be waiting!

When you attempt to deviate from these established patterns, something remarkable happens. Your body sends out alarm signals. New sensations feel like stepping into uncharted, potentially hostile territory and your mind screams “Turn back! This isn’t safe!”

Navigating Uncharted Territory

Venturing into this personal wilderness is daunting but invaluable: true healing begins by learning to recognize and respond to your body’s signals. But since you’ve likely learned to smother, ignore, or avoid them, how can you even begin to venture through that jungle? 

A somatic healing coach (like yours truly), is an expert navigator, trained to help you find your way to a healthier way of living. Step-by-step you’ll learn to:

  • Recognize the patterns of your nervous system’s avoidance mechanisms
  • Understand why certain paths feel safer, even when they’re harmful
  • Develop new, gentler routes through your internal landscape
  • Learn to read the subtle signs of your body’s wisdom

Compassionate Exploration, Not Forced Transformation

You and your guide won’t be hacking through your internal jungle or forcibly redirecting your paths. Instead, you’ll learn to tune into physical sensations and to trust yourself in unfamiliar terrain. Each small step is an act of profound courage. You’ve got this!

Forging a New Path

If you’re feeling stuck in familiar but painful patterns, you’re not broken! It IS possible to map out new paths of healing.

Somatic coaching can set you on the path toward:

  • Recognizing even subtle signs of fight, flight and/or freeze holding you back
  • Making decisions from a place of curiosity and optimism instead of fear
  • Connecting with your gut (intuitively and physically!) to make healthier choices
  • Releasing anxiety, sadness, hopelessness and fear
  • Feeling SO MUCH BETTER!

 

Ready to bring some balance back into your life? Just give me a shout and we’ll develop a plan to get you out of the jungle chaos and forge your new path with confidence.