On occasion, there may be a defining incident or a series of issues that push us to the very limits of our ability to cope on a day-to-day basis. At this point, our nervous system has reached overwhelm, and even the smallest thing can push us over the edge.

It could be that the innocent request of an unsuspecting family member or co-worker is enough to make us react in a way that is completely out of proportion to the perceived demand placed on us.

We may experience a whole spectrum of emotions and sensations coursing through our bodies. These can eventually become completely overwhelming, causing us to feel out of control, wanting to get angry or run away; or we may feel shut down and unable to engage with those around us.

Whatever the outcome, the point is that the healthier option for us is to act on these emotions and sensations before they take over the daily running of our lives and reduce our capacity to be present and enjoy life.

How our nervous system works

The Autonomic Nervous System controls involuntary functions – activities that happen without conscious control. Some examples of this are our heart rate, blood pressure, respiration and digestion. The ANS also controls pupil size and glandular secretion.

It has two main parts, the Sympathetic Nervous System, or SNS, which is ultimately responsible for the “Fight or Flight” impulse, and the Parasympathetic Nervous System, or PNS, which controls our “Rest and Digest” state. The reality is that during the day, our nervous systems constantly fluctuate between these two systems, to varying extents depending on the circumstances.

Problems can occur when the nervous system becomes under-resourced, leaving us unable to move smoothly between the two states throughout the day

• The function of the SNS or “Fight or Flight” system is to prepare the body for stressful, emergency or energy-demanding situations.
• It raises the heart rate and increases blood flow during times of stress, and dilates the bronchi in the lungs to increase oxygen intake.
• Blood vessels are constricted in the skin and the gut, and dilated in the muscles, as blood is redirected to the essential organs.
• The pupils dilate, improving distance vision to help detect danger.
• The digestive system inhibits peristalsis and secretion, conserving energy for the muscles to act if required.
• Sweat glands are stimulated to cool the body, and the adrenal medulla releases cortisol and adrenaline to boost alertness, heart rate and metabolism.
• The bladder wall relaxes, and the urinary sphincter contracts to inhibit urination.

The main function of the PNS is to promote rest, recovery and energy conservation. It is known as the “Rest and Digest” system

• It lowers the heart rate and conserves energy whilst constricting the bronchi to allow breathing to return to its resting state.
• Within the digestive system, peristalsis and secretion are stimulated, and digestion returns to normal.
• The pupils constrict, which protects the retina and helps improve near vision, allowing us to focus on what is close to us.
• The bladder wall contracts, and the urinary sphincter relaxes to promote urination.
• Glands reactivate and stimulate secretions to moisten the mouth, eyes, etc.
• The liver promotes bile secretion to help fat digestion.

Ideally, there should be a balance between the two systems

Both systems should work together to maintain homeostasis, or internal balance:

• Sympathetic NS -> Activates the body for action
• Parasympathetic NS -> Restores calm and recovery afterwards

For example…

• When we run, the SNS increases the heart rate and respiration rate.
• When we rest after running, the PNS slows the heart rate and resumes digestion.

When out of balance

An overactive SNS can cause us to suffer with stress, anxiety, hypertension and continuous fight/flight activation.

An overactive PNS can cause a sudden drop in heart rate and blood pressure, and in the longer term, autonomic conditions and digestive issues.

What we can do to help maintain a balanced and healthy state

Firstly, it helps if we are able to recognise signs of nervous system regulation:

We may notice a deep breath, a sigh, a yawn or a swallow.

Our breathing pattern may calm and become regular.

We may feel more grounded, more in control.

Longer term, there may be a sense of increased capacity to cope day-to-day.

Grounding Exercise: Rocking & Swaying

This is a subtle movement that is unlikely to be noticed by others if you need to settle yourself quietly.

To begin, notice the quality of your grounding before beginning… how is it? Does your body feel balanced or unbalanced? An awareness of the feet is important – the balls, heels, and inside and outside edges of the soles.

Inhale while slowly rocking backwards a little (just a couple of inches) onto the heels. Then exhale while slowly rocking forwards onto the balls of the feet, taking five or six deep breaths in total. Next, slowly sway from side to side, using the inside and outside edges of the feet, while breathing through the movement.

Tune in to the quality of your grounding now… how is it? Take note of any of the signs of regulation, mentioned above, that you may have experienced during the exercise.

Exercise to Reduce Adrenaline & Cortisol:

Notice the quality of nervous system regulation before you begin… how is it? At what level would you rate your nervous system activation out of ten… 10 being high, and 0 being low?

Chair Pose: a yoga posture, similar to a deep squat and with raised arms. Hold until you experience one of the signs of regulation mentioned above – a deep breath, a sigh, a yawn or a swallow.

If this is new for you, it may be that the thigh muscles experience a tremor, or even considerable discomfort, and you have to stop. If this is the case, gently lower your arms and slowly stand up. Pause and wait, and you will likely notice a deep breath coming through.

Notice the level of your regulation now… is it the same or has it changed?

A held pose, or isometric muscle contraction, where no joint or limb movement occurs, can have the benefit of utilising both adrenaline and cortisol when maintained to the point of fatigue. Over time, this can contribute positively to overall stress reduction and hormonal regulation.

Exercise to Regulate Breath & Lower Heart Rate:

Heart/Diaphragm Breath

Place your left hand over your heart and your right hand over your diaphragm, around the level of the front lower ribs.

Inhale for a count of two and exhale for a count of two – 2/2, five or six times, then…

Inhale for a count of two and exhale for a count of three – 2/3, five or six times, then…

Inhale for a count of two and exhale for a count of four – 2/4, five or six times.

When the breath has regulated, the brain will likely adjust the heart rate to complement it.

If you would like to discuss any of the exercises above or would like me to suggest something different that may be more appropriate for your situation, please get in touch.

I offer a 30-minute consultation free of charge.

Using skills from Biodynamic Craniosacral Therapy and Somatic Experiencing® amongst other modalities, I work together with my clients to help facilitate resolution of some of the early physical and emotional trauma memories that have become trapped throughout their nervous system. This can then facilitate greater neuro-somatic balance, equilibrium and sense of ease.

The post Simple Tools for Effective Nervous System Regulation appeared first on Ytene Healing.

As I explained my work, she started crying, feeling intuitively that this was the right path. She committed to six sessions with an open mind, driven by hope and, in her own words, desperation.

A C-section 18 months earlier and two IVF pregnancies had left her womb and ovaries both physically and energetically “battered” (the client’s words).

During one of the sessions, she didn’t try to understand what was happening, but could feel it. She reported muscle twitches and popping sensations tracking through her body, as warmth radiated from her womb space. Toward the end, she felt a “bursting” sensation at the top of her right leg. This was followed by the distinct feeling of warm liquid running down the leg and into the air. Later, I explained that I had been working on her heart-womb connection; this resonated deeply.

As our sessions progressed, she began to notice a profound sense of calm and relaxation during our work, rather than the very high energy state she would initially present with, which had little or no sense of direction. Observational intentional touch was enough to induce a state so deep and serene that she reported that returning to full awareness afterwards felt like climbing through thick liquid.

Over time, the client became less reactive, more grounded, and “unblocked” (her words again). She told me after one particular session that she had left with all the energy she had arrived with, but it felt “tamed”. She then went on to have the most productive and focused day.

During our final session, we focused on hands-on physical scar release work for her C-section scar.

Very quickly, the scar transformed from a hard, rigid lump to a soft, pliable area. The change was tangible and immediate. The client even noticed a subtle shift in her “mum shelf,” which was a welcome and exciting surprise! During this session, vivid imagery came to her, particularly visions of water parting. She said she felt this symbolised readiness and forward movement, as if life was opening up and preparing her for the next chapter.

This is what she had to say afterwards…

“Before starting somatic therapy with Sarah, I was struggling with decision paralysis, depression, and chaotic thought patterns that disrupted my daily life. My mind felt clouded, and my ability to function and enjoy life had diminished.
Now, after a transformative series of sessions, I feel calmer, happier, and more present. My ability to make decisions and manage life has vastly improved, and I’ve rediscovered the joy of simply being.”

Clients often find that another noticeable impact of improved pelvic and womb balance is a greater sense of connection to the earth and nature. This can happen as we deepen our relationship with our own bodies and develop a sense of grounding and stability through the legs.

Moving forward, we may then be able to experience a sense of calm when those around may be unsettled, and feel a greater sense of purpose when previously lacking motivation or creativity. Thought processes can become clearer, lymphatic flow improves, pain and discomfort reduce and a sense of general wellbeing increases.

Using skills from Biodynamic Craniosacral Therapy and Somatic Experiencing®, amongst other modalities, we work together to help facilitate the resolution of physical and emotional trauma memories that have become trapped in the whole pelvic region. This helps clients find greater balance and equilibrium as the womb space reconnects to its original power and finds a sense of ease.

You can find more about my work with the womb in these two blogs:
https://www.ytenehealing.co.uk/2024/09/03/releasing-somatic-memorieswomb-rebalance-body/
https://www.ytenehealing.co.uk/2023/03/07/womb-healing-and-rebalancing/

If you think you could benefit from working with me, please get in touch. Email sarah@ytenehealing.co.uk or call me on 07747 111040.

Please remember to contact your medical practitioner in the first instance if you have any concerns regarding your health.

The post Womb Work for Recovery after IVF and C-Section appeared first on Ytene Healing.

As the NHS website says, stroke recovery is individual and will depend on how much a stroke has affected you physically and mentally and your rehabilitation plan. There is no one-size-fits-all as far as treatment is concerned, but as a therapist, I can help alongside your medical rehabilitation. I work with clients to support physical and mental recovery and rehabilitation.

This client found that focusing on the trauma of the stroke helped her heal and move forward:

“I am a mental health professional who came to see Sarah for help after I had experienced a stroke and lost my job. I felt as if I had repeatedly been beaten up with a baseball bat and was numb emotionally. I knew that I need help which focused on the way my body was holding on to trauma.

Sarah’s supportive healing, reflecting her deep knowledge of mind, brain and body, helped me to release blocked energy and to feel again. I am so grateful to have found her.”

After he had a severe stroke, I worked remotely with this client’s father to help alleviate symptoms and improve movement:

“I came to Sarah to help my dad after he had suffered a massive stroke. Sarah was able to work on my dad remotely using Craniosacral Therapy. His stroke was far too severe for a full recovery to be possible, but Sarah was able to help him function better and keep him comfortable.

The work she did is too vast to detail, but I can give a couple of examples. After the stroke he had vacant eyes, which did not seem to be registering what was occurring around him. She was able to work on the connection between his eyes and his brain and was able to help him to such an extent that his eyes appeared normal.

As a stroke victim, my dad was completely unaware of the left side of his body. He was only able to turn his head to the midpoint, but with Sarah’s help he was able to turn his head fully to the left and become more aware of what was happening on that side.

Following the stroke, his limbs were incredibly swollen and Sarah was able to help the lymphatic drainage and restore them to a normal appearance. I still remember visiting the hospital the next day and being amazed at the transformation. She also helped drain fluid from his lungs when he had pneumonia.

I was able to enjoy the precious remaining time with my dad, with him being fully aware that I was there and able to engage with me. This is thanks to Sarah and her amazing work. She truly has a gift.”

All the therapies I offer are intended to complement, not replace, your relationship with your medical practitioner. Please remember to contact your medical practitioner in the first instance if you have any concerns regarding your health.

If you think you could benefit from working with me, please get in touch. Email sarah@ytenehealing.co.uk or call me on 07747 111040.

The post Stroke recovery: Client experiences appeared first on Ytene Healing.

Prolonged stress and trauma, suffered at various stages in our lives, if left unresolved, can influence how our bodies respond to the hormonal shifts we go through from midlife onwards.

Our Endocrine System manages both the production and secretion of various hormones. The most well-known are:

• Adrenalin and Cortisol, both secreted in varying amounts throughout the day, as a normal process
• Melatonin, the sleep hormone
• Insulin, the presence of which can lead to weight gain in later life
• Oxytocin, the feel-good hormone
• Oestrogen, Testosterone and Progesterone, which decline throughout Peri-Menopause

Our Endocrine System can become stressed and overwhelmed, just like any of the other systems in the body. The difference is that this particular system, if already overworked, can react a little like a dysfunctional roller coaster.

The added complication of Menopause, with all its fluctuations and idiosyncrasies, being thrown into the mix alongside trauma, can result in us becoming completely out of balance both physically and emotionally.

Everyday life can become a stress in itself. Emotions can become difficult to manage. Our nervous system, possibly already full to the brim from difficult early childhood experiences, may feel constantly overwhelmed. We could be experiencing debilitating physical symptoms. We may feel we are no longer able to cope.

Peter Levine, the founder and creator of the Somatic Experiencing® approach, says that events that happen “too much, too fast, too soon or for too long” can push us to the point of overwhelm.

What does this mean for Menopause?

If our life circumstances have taken us to the point where we are constantly living in a state of being overwhelmed, then any changes to our delicate hormone balance can tip the scale even further in the wrong direction. We may find ourselves unable to cope with our constant mood swings and the emotional fluctuations of everyday life, in addition to the discomfort of our changing bodies.

Many women I work with require support and strategies to move through and reduce the effects of these changes. For example, I can suggest a breathing technique which can reduce anxiety, a mindful way of bringing down a hot flush as it begins to creep up your body or even a simple trick to stop palpitations, amongst other things. We work on reducing stress and anxiety to help restore balance to the Endocrine System.

We can look at lifestyle changes and, if required, can discuss accessing Nutritional or Hormonal support. With over 30 years of experience working with movement, including training as both a Pilates teacher and Scaravelli-inspired yoga teacher, I can access a vast range of exercises and stretches that can help tired muscles and stiff joints and weight-bearing exercises to help maintain bone density and pelvic floor tone.

Using skills from Biodynamic Craniosacral Therapy and Somatic Experiencing® I can help clients resolve some of their early life traumas.

The result of a truly holistic approach is that a client’s passage through Menopause can be smoothed, leading to a calmer and more comfortable way of being.

Both Somatic Experiencing® and Biodynamic Craniosacral Therapy are, by definition, trauma-attuned modalities. Used together, either online or in person, they can facilitate the resolution of embodied trauma in a very profound but gentle way, honouring the unique wishes and needs of each client.

If you think you could benefit from working with me, please get in touch. Email sarah@ytenehealing.co.uk or call 07747 111040.

Please remember to contact your medical practitioner in the first instance if you have any concerns regarding your health.

The post Menopause: A Shared but Unique Experience appeared first on Ytene Healing.

This means that our body constantly gives us signs and signals about how it feels, both physically and emotionally. If we bring an important issue to mind, we may notice emotions and feel sensations in our bodies at the same time.

If, for example, we feel fear as we bring an issue to mind, we may become aware of a simultaneous tightening in the chest. This is the diaphragm responding to the release of the stress hormones cortisol and adrenalin. Alternatively, if we feel that the issue we have to deal with is too much for us to cope with, then we may become aware of shoulder pain or discomfort as we feel the burden of responsibility resting on us.

Several things happen physiologically and anatomically when cortisol and adrenalin are released from the adrenal glands.

Our natural body response to this hormone release can result in a tightening of our psoas or hip flexor muscles. They draw our thigh bones upwards and inwards in a spiral movement towards the inside of the T12 vertebra and the whole of the inside of our lumbar spine. Then, our diaphragm, which is also attached to the inside of T12, can tighten.

The result of these combined actions is that the whole of the abdominal area can lock up. Breathing can become shallow and strained. The trapezius muscles, those attached to the back and sides of the head, the collarbones, shoulders and the outside of all our cervical and thoracic vertebrae down to and including T12, can tighten. These reactions can lead to lower back pain, shoulder and neck pain and headaches.

Occasionally, due to extreme, overwhelming circumstances, our stress response may become chronic. We may begin to experience IBS or similar digestive issues precipitated by potential strain or constriction of our organs. Then, if our adrenals become stuck in overdrive for too long, we may begin to experience adrenal fatigue and move towards a chronic fatigue state.

All areas of tension, constriction, injury and dysfunction in the tissue of our bodies are trapped energy in one way, shape or form.

For example, chronic neck tension may, over time, constrict not only the blood vessels carrying oxygenated blood to the brain but also the glymphatic system, the brain’s cleaning and drainage system. This can lead to a slowing down of thought processes and compromised decision-making. How many of us make our best decisions when we have a raging headache or neck and shoulder pain?

As living human beings, we are a system of balanced tension. No one part of us works in isolation from the other. Trapped energy in any part of the body can create a localised blockage that interferes with the movement of blood and lymph. The balance then becomes upset, compromising flow and drainage.

If we can identify these places and work with them and their associated emotions, we can help ourselves release or integrate the pain and potentially move towards resolving the issues responsible for our discomfort in the first place.

We all know someone who will habitually sit on the sofa with their knees up to their chin whilst watching TV or looking at their phone. This way of sitting represents someone who is trying to protect themselves. It is the equivalent of lying on the bed or the floor, on the side of the body, in the same position. It is the same one that we adopt when we want to curl up and hide—the foetal position. As children, we used it for self-protection and safety when all around us became threatening or overwhelming.

If we routinely sit in this position, our brains will begin to assume that there is a constant threat. As a result, we may release more cortisol and adrenalin. This can then lead to a tightening of the psoas muscles and diaphragm. The chances of us suffering from aches and pains can increase, and we may become anxious for no obvious reason.

Conditioning our bodies to look and feel small and hunched over may also, over time, lower our self-esteem and induce anxiety. Know that you have a right to take up space and feel safe and secure as you do so.

Try “Manspreading”…. sitting back on the sofa with your legs apart and your arms stretching out.

You may notice a deep breath coming in as your body expresses gratitude for the gift of expansion.

Occasionally, our bodies may react to this expansion in a very different way. We may feel fear, shame, guilt, or just not feel worthy of inhabiting the additional space when we stretch out. If that is the case, I would suggest that it is something to be curious about and maybe explore in a safe and supportive environment.

To sum up, the combined impact of stress energy on both the emotional layers and/or the physical body can result in a state of being that cannot be fully healed by talking alone. Our whole being has to receive acknowledgement, understanding and opportunity to heal, resolve dysfunction and find access to inherent health.

Both Somatic Experiencing® and Biodynamic Craniosacral Therapy are, by definition, trauma-attuned modalities. Used together, either online or in-person, they can facilitate the resolution of embodied trauma in a very profound but gentle way, honouring the unique wishes and needs of each client.

If you think you could benefit from working with me, please get in touch. Email sarah@ytenehealing.co.uk or call me on 07747 111040.

Please remember to contact your medical practitioner in the first instance if you have any
concerns regarding your health.

The post The connection between the physical body and emotions appeared first on Ytene Healing.

Our view and experience of Mother’s Day may vary throughout our lives depending on our age, life path and whether we are or have been mothers ourselves.

This affects how we feel on the day. The day itself is not only about our relationship with our own mother, who may or may not still be alive. It is also about the relationship we have with our children. In addition, we need to be mindful of the fact that just because a woman is not seen to have a child to care for, she may still be a mother. For example, she may have had an ectopic pregnancy, a miscarriage, a stillbirth or lost a child at any age. There may also be an estrangement in the relationship between mother and child that has now become too difficult to rectify for whatever reason.

This could likely bring many different emotions to the surface, ranging from ambivalence all the way through disappointment to hatred. It is important, as we approach Mother’s Day, to use it as a time not only for reflection but also an opportunity to be sensitive towards others who may not think of the day as a time for family celebration.

My own Mother’s Day story

Shortly after my birth in 1960, I was given up for adoption to a couple who were unable to conceive naturally. My parents were good, loving people who would do everything they could for me and my two younger adopted brothers.

If I reflect back to childhood memories of Mother’s Day, they were always filled with love. But as I grew older, they were equally tinged with sadness. I remember thinking what it would have been like to have had a relationship with my biological mother. My father sadly died suddenly when I was 18, which was a huge shock for the whole family.

I married and gave birth to the first of my two children at the age of 25. For the next ten years, I was able to celebrate Mother’s Day not only in relation to my own mother but as a mother myself. (Years later, I discovered that my biological mother had sadly died during the time of my first pregnancy.)

The following year could not have been more different.

I was a few weeks off my 36th birthday when my mother died suddenly from heart valve failure in early February. She had shown no symptoms of illness prior to this time. The shock was intense. I have little or no memory of how it was at the time. I made the arrangements, we got through the funeral and then my birthday the following week.

Mother’s Day, a couple of weeks later, was the furthest thing from my mind.

Although I knew that when the time came, I would hold things together for the sake of my children, then age 10 and 7. It was about a week before Mother’s Day when my husband at the time told me to go out and buy a card for his mother. He was too busy to buy it himself. His insensitivity provoked such enormous rage in me. All the emotions of the past month or so erupted to the surface, and he never asked again.

Life goes on, and I have since received many Mother’s Day cards, not only from my two children but also from my two amazing grandchildren.

Writing this has been quite thought-provoking for me. I hope it illustrates the rollercoaster of emotions we can all experience in relation to Mother’s Day.

Both Somatic Experiencing® and Biodynamic Craniosacral Therapy are, by definition, trauma-attuned modalities. Used together, either online or in-person, they can facilitate the resolution of embodied trauma in a very profound but gentle way, honouring the unique wishes and needs of each client.

If you think you could benefit from working with me, please get in touch. Email sarah@ytenehealing.co.uk or call me on 07747 111040.

Please remember to contact your medical practitioner in the first instance if you have any
concerns regarding your health.

The post What does Mother’s Day mean for you? appeared first on Ytene Healing.

Are you overwhelmed by the fact that those around you appear to have their personal lives in order or are moving forward with their strategies for the year ahead?

Please remember that life is for living; it is not a competition. If we don’t allow ourselves to be in the present moment on a day-to-day basis, then we are not living; we are only existing.

It can feel like an undeserved luxury to slow down and just allow yourself to be, even for a short time. However, if you allow these brief moments of ‘me’ time, you create space to engage with the world around you and take in nature or listen to music. This, in turn, helps you bring clarity to whatever situation you need to apply yourself to. This is ‘living’.

Know your essential minimum requirements for the year and how these balance out with your ideal outcomes.

You don’t have to have detailed plans in place. But if there are decisions to make and changes you would like to implement, it may help to prioritise and break them down. This can make them more manageable.

You may need some assistance or guidance from a coach or a therapist to action them. Asking for help, either from a professional or from a trusted friend who will listen and reflect back, can be invaluable if you then allow yourself time and space to process and integrate your thoughts.

We all have an inherent somatic intelligence which we are able to access to a greater or lesser extent.

This means that our body is constantly giving us signs and signals as to how it is feeling, not only from a physical perspective but also from an emotional perspective. If we bring an important issue to mind, we may notice emotions coming up for us and feel sensations in our bodies.

If, for example, you feel anxious as you think about something, you may become aware of tightness in your chest as your diaphragm responds to the release of cortisol and adrenalin. This is part of the stress response. Alternatively, if you feel that the issue you have to deal with is too much to cope with, you may become aware of shoulder pain and discomfort as you feel the burden of responsibility resting on you.

Instinct v Intuition

We have all heard the expressions “trust your gut” and “follow your heart”. But what if you don’t get those feelings easily? This is where the difference between instinct and intuition becomes important.

According to the Cambridge Dictionary, ‘instincts’ are how people or animals naturally react or behave without having to think or learn about it. ‘Intuition’ is knowledge from an ability to understand or know something immediately based on feelings rather than facts.

In an ideal world, tapping into your ‘intuition’ is the more embodied and organic way to plan your next few weeks or months. If you rely on ‘instinct’ alone, you may be making decisions and reacting to situations based on past experience and conditioning rather than being able to take a wider and more present view.

This is why it is so important to come back to yourself: to create time and space to prioritise your needs, allowing you to make any necessary changes. You can then begin to nurture your somatic intelligence and learn to trust your ‘intuition’, helping you process one manageable decision at a time.

Both Somatic Experiencing® and Biodynamic Craniosacral Therapy are, by definition, trauma-attuned modalities. Used together, either online or in-person, they can facilitate the resolution of embodied trauma in a very profound but gentle way, honouring each client’s unique wishes and needs.

If you think you could benefit from working with me, please get in touch. Email sarah@ytenehealing.co.uk or call 07747 111040.

Please remember to contact your medical practitioner in the first instance if you have any concerns regarding your health.

The post INTUITIVE DECISION MAKING appeared first on Ytene Healing.

What do I mean by this?

Think of yourself as a ‘you’ shaped container, with your skin being the outer wall. Into that container, throughout the whole of your life, you have stored not just mental and emotional memories but also somatic (sensation and feeling) memories. When we are very young, before our brains are fully developed, memories are stored somatically in the tissue and organs of the body, along with any physical injuries and accidents.

As our brains grow through early childhood, more and more connections are made. We become able to attach basic stories to sensations as our cognition develops. If all goes well and early life is kind to us, we are most likely moving towards full cognition around the time of puberty and then onwards into adulthood. If this is the case, our nervous systems should have the capacity to cope with stress fairly well. Real life is like a roller coaster with all its ups and downs. A healthy nervous system will be able to ride those waves.

It is only when major life events happen that the healthy, well-resourced nervous system may struggle.

However, this person’s container should have enough space within it for them to work their way through life’s difficulties. It may well be tough. But they will emerge on the other side with help from their own resilience and those close to them or even help from a therapist.

On the other hand, if our early lives or teenage years are disrupted and emotionally challenging, we emerge from puberty with a lack of cognitive maturity and an already full container. As we move into adult life, we may find our behaviour is still very much informed by the somatic memories of our younger years. Rather than being able to measure our response relative to what is happening in the present moment, we may find ourselves reacting to what is going on based on past experience.

To help us manage on a day-to-day basis, we may modify our behaviour in relation to everyday tasks. Rather than share our difficulties with close friends or family, we may keep our own counsel. We may avoid social situations or use potentially harmful coping strategies to help get us through challenging situations. We are less likely to ask for help, and there may be shame around the thought of not being able to cope.

Everyday life can become a stress in itself, and emotions difficult to manage.

Our container was already full to the brim with difficult early childhood experiences. Now, the nervous system feels constantly overwhelmed. We may even experience debilitating physical symptoms and feel we can no longer cope.

Peter Levine, the founder and creator of the Somatic Experiencing® approach, says that events that happen “too much, too fast, too soon or for too long” can push us to the point of overwhelm.

How can I help with stress?

From my perspective, putting in place strategies to help down-regulate my client’s nervous system is paramount. I keep it simple, teaching vital but basic exercises that can be remembered and drawn on at those difficult times. We also look at resourcing and awareness to help build capacity in the container.

Initially, we may look to unpick some of the less difficult experiences from the client’s container to create some space. These may be the result of physical issues, accidents, injuries or operations. By helping shift some of these physical blockages, we are able to help restore flow throughout the body. This can help lead to clearer thought.

I use a combination of Biodynamic Craniosacral Therapy and Somatic Experiencing®  to help clients unwind and release constrictions in their body tissue as well as to provide support for and rebalance their nervous system during the session. In nearly all instances, clients say they feel much more relaxed and calmer at the end of each session.

This allows the possibility of being able to sit back and take a look at where that person feels they would like more help to create change in their life. The bigger issues can be worked with when they are feeling stronger and more resourced.

Both Somatic Experiencing® and Biodynamic Craniosacral Therapy are, by definition, trauma-attuned modalities. Used together, either online or in-person, they can facilitate the resolution of embodied trauma in a very profound but gentle way, honouring the unique wishes and needs of each client.

If you think you could benefit from working with me, please get in touch. Email sarah@ytenehealing.co.uk or call me on 07747 111040.

Please remember to contact your medical practitioner in the first instance if you have any concerns regarding your health.

The post HELPING CLIENTS RELIEVE AND RESOLVE STRESS appeared first on Ytene Healing.

The first of these stories relates to how sudden shock and horror can lead to acute pain.

The second highlights how early childhood and enduring trauma can lead to a chronic condition.

Client 1

“I had the fortune to find Sarah and receive her treatment when my back had completely given up due to shock and trauma.

When I saw her online for the first time, I was in agonising pain, with very little mobility and deep anguish. During the first session, I had a massive shift in feelings and emotions very quickly. The pain in my back dissipated to the point I could move freely the next day and for the next week after that. Relief has lasted over time, with very little relapse.

I have stopped having ruminating thoughts about the event that had caused my back to freeze in the first place. For the first time since, I can say I’m over what happened!

As well as my back pain, for the past 20 years, I have had a lot of discomfort in my C-Section area. I had bad cramps during my periods and muscle cramps around the scar. Since the treatment, I have not had one cramp, bringing so much relief!

Sarah’s extremely caring and gentle approach to treating these kinds of problems is perfect when your nervous system is in overdrive and is affecting the physical body. I can’t recommend her enough!

Big, big thank you.”

Client 1 had received some life-changing and shocking news which she had kept to herself for two months due to the shame she subsequently experienced.

I was the first person with whom she shared this information. We gently explored the fact that she was not at fault but was a victim of circumstances. There was no action she could have taken to avoid this from happening.

I was able to provide support and facilitate her nervous system to release the shock it was holding on to. I helped her back unwind and release the tension and constriction that had caused the joints and muscles to seize and tighten. I was also able to help rebalance her endocrine system, of which her adrenals are a part. This brought about an overall sense of relaxation and calm.

The improvement for her during her monthly cycle was a bonus. We only met online for two one-hour sessions, so I had not spent much time connecting with her reproductive system. The musculoskeletal system had been our priority.

My sense is that Client 1 was suffering with Post Traumatic Stress. A one-off event had taken place and caused sudden, acute feelings and sensations. This resulted in an overwhelming reaction with dramatic emotional and physical consequences.

Client 2

“I’ll be honest, I wasn’t sure about what Sarah does before I experienced it first hand. I’d had stomach pain most days to some degree for almost 20 years. I suspected it may be linked to a childhood trauma that I don’t have any solid recollection of. I didn’t want to touch the trauma, but I wanted the physical symptoms of it gone. When Sarah said she could help (without even physically touching me), I was sceptical. But I’m happy to say that I am now (still utterly confused by it, but) a total convert. I recommend her to EVERYONE!

In essence, since I saw her over two months ago, I have had NO PAIN! Before, eating bread really triggered it, and now I can even eat bread without any problems. Sarah is an angel, as far as I can tell, a true healer. And she is calm, kind and such lovely company on top of it all. She makes it all feel very accessible and is so easy to work with.

If you’re struggling with pain or discomfort and you’re not sure of the root of it, I honestly and wholeheartedly cannot recommend her enough!”

Client 2 had dealt with years of ongoing and varying trauma since early childhood.

Her near 20-year history of stomach pain would suggest that her nervous system had been under a level of stress for most of her life. My sense is that building slowly over time, this eventually reached overwhelm, thus resulting in stomach issues.

Connecting with her nervous system, I allowed it to unwind and tell its story. I gave attention to all the internal organs, the digestive system and the endocrine system. Tracking and noticing any symptoms that arose in the body during the session gave us the opportunity to deeply listen to the story her body wanted to communicate to us. Acknowledgement is one of the most important parts of the work, whether it be the verbal story of the client, or the story of the tissue of the physical/energetic body.

When client 2 came to see me, she presented with what could be considered a lifetime of stress. This stress had precipitated a chronic physical condition. Being able to facilitate such an immediate difference in less than two sessions (the first one was a 10 minute taster) is exactly what encourages me to continue with this rewarding way of working.

Both Somatic Experiencing® and Biodynamic Craniosacral Therapy are, by definition, trauma-attuned modalities. Used together, either online or in person, they can facilitate the resolution of embodied trauma in a very profound but gentle way, honouring the unique wishes and needs of each client.

If you think you could benefit from working with me, please get in touch. Email sarah@ytenehealing.co.uk or call me on 07747 111040.

Please remember to contact your medical practitioner in the first instance if you have any concerns regarding your health.

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