Embracing Transitions with Somatic Practices and Musical Moments
In this episode of the Healed Now What Podcast, Lisa Dawn shares a personal experience attending a live music event featuring musician Michael Bernard Fitzgerald.
Reflecting on the joy and emotional impact of live music, Lisa transitions into introducing a guided polyvagal somatic practice aimed at nurturing the nervous system during times of transition and upheaval. She takes listeners on a calming journey through a metaphorical forest, offering techniques to find safety, calm, and connection in moments of uncertainty.
Embracing Transitions with Somatic Practices and Musical Moments
In this episode of the Healed Now What Podcast, Lisa Dawn shares a personal experience attending a live music event featuring musician Michael Bernard Fitzgerald.
Reflecting on the joy and emotional impact of live music, Lisa transitions into introducing a guided polyvagal somatic practice aimed at nurturing the nervous system during times of transition and upheaval. She takes listeners on a calming journey through a metaphorical forest, offering techniques to find safety, calm, and connection in moments of uncertainty.
Hey guys, Lisa Dawn here. Welcome back to another episode of the Healed Now What Podcast. Ah, welcome, welcome, welcome. So last night we went to see some live music with best friends of ours, actually, that we've had for many years. And it ended up being a pretty full circle moment because the last time that we saw this particular musician. was in our friend's home for a house concert. He was putting on back in like 2017. This singer songwriter's name is Michael Bernard Fitzgerald. Some of you may know him. Incredible, incredible musician. So talented. And as we got to the location, the venue, after having some just absolutely beautiful food, I was reminded how much I love and miss live music. Isn't it funny how we sometimes just go without some of our favorite things, not even recognizing how much we miss them until we are once again in their presence, once again in the room with them. Anyway, Michael always puts on a banger of a show. It was everything one could hope for. It was full of laughter, tender storytelling, community, and he had two extremely talented opening acts, Michaela Slinger and D'Andrea. Now these musicians captured all of my heartstrings. They sing songs of grief, love, melancholy, yearning, creativity, and longing. It was everything that my heart wanted and needed. I cried a bunch, even though I tried to hide it, ended up buying some merchandise, and then we just went about our evening, forever impacted in ways only time will reveal. This has both nothing and everything to do with today's episode. Just wanted to share that with, from, with my fellow, uh, musical friends. I've had several requests for more guided somatic practices, especially for times of transition or upheaval. These, uh, before and after moments in life. These are the moments when the world we are existing in changes right before our eyes moments when we thought we were on solid ground one moment and the next we are thrown for a loop. And this could be for many reasons, unexpected changes, unexpected people. coming into our lives and turning them upside down. Unexpected loss or new love. The moments we find ourselves in everything we weren't looking for, which just also happens to be the title of one of the songs that was shared last night. So for my fellow travelers on this autonomic journey, Here is one of many practices that nurture the nervous system and engage our capacity for safety and connection, even in times where we don't have solid footing. So without further ado, here is your polyvagal somatic slowdown. Now for this one, you definitely do not want to be driving. You certainly want to be in a spot where you can completely relax and just kind of dissolve into the practice. So if you want to come back to this one another time, then please do so. But if you're here now and you're in a place where you can just be for another 10 minutes or so with yourself without any distractions, then settle in, take a moment to just get yourself cozy, whatever that looks like for you. And if it feels okay, you can close your eyes. And if not, you can just kind of gently lower them. And softly gaze down at the floor and imagine you're about to embark on a journey, a journey to a place deep within where safety, calm, and connection reside. The story is your guide, leading you back to a place where your body and mind can rest. One where you can feel grounded and at peace. So you find yourself standing at the edge of a vast ancient forest. The trees before you are tall and strong. There are branches reaching towards the sky, like the welcoming arms of an old friend. The air is fresh and filled with the scent of pine and earth. And a soft breeze brushes against your skin, as if whispering a gentle hello. As you take your first step onto the forest path, you notice how the ground beneath your feet feels firm, yet yielding. Almost like it's guiding you with each step. The path is dappled with sunlight filtering through the leaves, creating a mosaic of light and shadow that dances as you move forward. With each step you feel more at ease, more connected to the earth beneath you. The worries and the cares of the outside world begin to fade, and they are replaced by the quiet sounds of the forest. The forest. The rustling of leaves, the distant song of birds, and the faint murmur of a nearby stream. As you continue along the path, the trees begin to thin and you find yourself entering a wide open clearing. In the center of the clearing stands a large ancient tree, its roots deeply embedded in the earth. It's branches reaching out like the arms of a guardian. This tree is special. It's a place of refuge, a source of strength. And you walk towards it, drawn by the unseen force, feeling a growing sense of safety and warmth as you approach. The tree's bark is rough under your fingers. but it radiates a comforting warmth as if it recognizes you and welcomes you. You sit down beneath the tree, your back against it's sturdy trunk. The ground beneath you is soft with moss and the air around you is filled with the scent of wildflowers. You feel the strength of the tree behind you, supporting you. Holding you steady. To your right, you hear the gentle sound of water flowing. A stream, clear and sparkling, winding its way through the clearing. You rise and walk to its edge, kneeling down to dip your fingers into the cool water. And as you do, the stream seems to respond. It's gentle current soothing your hand as if it's washing away the last traces of tension. The stream whispers to you. Its voice is soft and calming. It tells you of the journey it's taken from high in the mountains down through the valleys, always flowing, always moving towards something greater. As you listen, you realize that you too are on a journey, one that's leading you back to your own center, to a place of calm and connection. You take a deep breath, inhaling the cool, fresh air, and as you exhale, you feel yourself letting go, letting go of any lingering tension. any thoughts that no longer serve you. And you watch as the stream carries them away, leaving you lighter, freer. As you stand, you notice that the clearing is not empty. Around the edges of the space, a circle of gentle beings has gathered. These are friends, loved ones. Perhaps even animals you feel close to. They stand quietly watching over you, offering their silent support. Each one smiles at you, a smile filled with warmth and understanding. You feel no need to speak, no need to explain. Here in this circle. You are understood completely and accepted exactly as you are. One by one, they step forward, placing a hand on your shoulder, a gesture of connection, of love. You feel the warmth of their touch spreading through you, filling you with a deep sense of belonging. You are not alone. You are connected, part of something greater. After some time, you feel ready to continue your journey. You thank each of your companions, knowing that their presence remains with you. Even as you begin to walk back towards the forest path, the ancient tree and the whispering stream will always be there, waiting for your return. As you walk back through the forest, the light has shifted. The sun is lower in the sky, casting a golden glow over everything. You feel the connection to the earth beneath you, the air around you and the warmth within you. Each step brings you closer to the edge of the forest. And as you emerge, You carry with you the sense of peace, connection, and safety that you found within. You prepare to open your eyes, returning to the present moment, but the feeling of the journey lingers. The forest, the tree, the stream, and your companions, they're all within you, a part of your inner landscape. You can return to this place whenever you need to, whenever you want to feel grounded, safe, and connected. This is your journey, your story, and it is always here for you. All right, friends, that is all for today's exploration for today's journey. We'll see you again next week. Bye for now.
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