We dedicate September’s digital care package to all of our students, parents and most importantly, our teachers who are about to embark upon uncharted waters in terms of how to educate effectively AND safely during this pandemic.
The name of the game is NERVOUS SYSTEM REGULATION as not only does back-to-school conjure tension and jitters in general, but then factor in the added unknowns that COVID brings. We wanted to provide a variety of resources this time around to help you maintain and/or hopefully build the functional range between “fight, flight or freeze” (sympathetic) and “rest and digest” (parasympathetic), so that you have a greater buffer and resiliency if and when you are faced with possible stressors. The goal is to develop a stronger ability to regulate your internal landscape as we do not always have control over our external conditions.
“Between stimulus and response there is a space. In that space is our power to choose our response. In our response lies our growth and our freedom.”
~Viktor Frankl
We hope you find comfort and stability in these offerings and perhaps we’ll see you in a chair this September ;)
- There are an insurmountable reasons during this time to feel strong emotions, here is a visual resource that can guide you through a regulated breathing exercise that can aid in nervous system regulation, creating a more functional balance between your “fight, flight or freeze” response (sympathetic) and your “rest and digest” response (parasympathetic). And to learn more about the Autonomic Nervous System and how our bodies respond to stressors (Polyvagal theory), READ HERE.
- There are new additions to the documentary section of CBC Gem :D
This includes selection of award winning film festival picks such as “Kedi” (comes H&H team approved, you know how much we love our cats…) and “The Booksellers” - Meditative soundtracks to further support your polyvagal response
Moby’s long ambients 1 & 2 (stream or download for free)
Brian Eno’s Music for Airports
Blade Runner – Ambient for sleeping ASMR - Something for parent+child to share, watch and listen to Monique Gray Smith read from her children’s books. Monique Gray Smith is a proud mom of twins, an award-winning, best-selling author and sought after consultant. Monique’s first published novel, Tilly: A Story of Hope and Resilience won the 2014 Burt Award for First Nation, Métis and Inuit Literature.
- Return to school. A trauma informed approach. Written by Dr Tara Quinlivan of Raft Psychology.
- Foundation Training sequence (12 minutes) for resetting upper-mid-lower back tension, esp since many of us are out of our usual routines, maybe sitting more than we’d like or trying to make due with less than ideal home office set-ups!
- My New Roots Digestion-supportive Kachadi: the Realistic Reset
Kichadi, sometimes called and spelled khichdi, kitchari, kitcheree or khichri, is the famous one-pot wonder Indian dish that combines rice and lentils or quick-cooking pulses or legumes, such as mung beans. Its best known in Ayurvedic tradition as a cleansing and complete protein meal, very easy to digest, and a cinch to make! - And to finish with something healthy-ish: Healthy Double Chocolate Chunk Cookies Are Grain-Free And Oh-So-Fudgy (With Vegan Option)
hese healthy double chocolate chunk cookies just might be Liz Moody‘s favorite cookies I’ve ever made: a chocolate base with fudgy chocolate chunks, perfectly offset by toasty walnuts (or whatever nut you want!). What can be more perfect than that?! - A little something fun ;)
- Pema Chödrön is a guide for many through difficult times. She is is an American Tibetan Buddhist, an ordained nun, former acharya of Shambhala Buddhism and disciple of Chögyam Trungpa Rinpoche. Here is an overview or study guide to her teachings. And if you’d like to dive deeper into her work, visit her website HERE.
- A lovely offering from Peter Renner, H&H’s former meditation instructor:
“Social distancing and health worries aren’t going away any time soon, and sitting quietly can help calm the mind and relax the body. I’m offering a blend of guided and silent meditation 3 times a week. Sessions are open to everyone regardless of previous experience, and you can leave at any time. You can connect to Zoom from any device; it’s free and requires no registration, more details HERE.
