6 Thursdays:

November 5^th, 12^th, 19^th

December 3^rd, 10^th, 17^th

6:00 – 8:00 pm

with Stephanie Long, MS, LPC, E-RYT

Raise your hand if you’ve ever had mixed feelings about something – as in “I really want to go on vacation, but I’m way too busy and everything would totally fall apart while I’m gone.” Or if you’ve ever felt panicky and anxious for no apparent reason. Or maybe you’ve watched yourself buy 6 pairs of yoga pants in 6 different colors because, “well, they’re on sale, and who knows how long they will continue to make this style,” while, simultaneously stressing about your dwindling checking account, hearing the “NO! DON’T DO IT!” in your head as you click purchase.

These are parts. And yup, we’ve all got ‘em. Other terms for these little buggers might include sub-personality, ego, inner child, conscience, just to name a few. These clusters of thought, emotion, body sensation, and behavior seem to show up together in us when we are put in certain life situations, or are around specific people. Internal Family Systems (IFS) therapy recognizes this multiplicity inherent in us, and uses mindfulness skills to start to become aware of parts, and then offer them loving attention, acceptance, unburdening, and healing with the help of Self.

In yoga, what occurs for most practitioners is an experience of increased Self Energy. “Self-what?” you may wonder. In yoga, we often talk about Prana to refer to this healing energy. Chinese medicine calls this Qi. Anytime we take a conscious breath and tune into our bodies, minds, and souls more deeply, feeling grounded and a greater sense of balance and wellbeing, we are entering into core Self. Atman. True nature. Buddha nature. This state of being in Self is the primary intention of several eastern and western spiritual traditions, including yoga, and is key to IFS as well, as this state gives us access to the healing power of Self Energy.

The intention of IFS therapy is to help Self get back into a leadership position, and from there, heal all the parts, and help the system to function optimally. Benefits of being Self-led include increased emotional regulation, recovery from trauma, decreased symptoms of depression and anxiety, increased ability to be present with, and accepting of oneself and of others, increase intuitive abilities, and healthier relationships with family and friends.

In this 6 week therapeutic program, you’ll be invited to discover more about your Self and your parts through the Internal Family Systems model and yoga practice. This will include some lecture as well as several experiential, therapeutic exercises that will be done individually, in partners, and as a whole group. We’ll start each class with a yoga practice to increase self-awareness, openness, groundedness, and Self Energy. This program offers a chance to explore your own thoughts, behaviors, emotional states, and physical symptoms in a supportive group format that will provide safety and welcoming for your work, but never pressure to do or say anything that you don’t want to.

The investment is $300 for this 6-week experience. This will include 12 hours of valuable group instruction and healing work through therapeutic yoga and IFS therapy. The group will be limited to 12 people, and requires a 15 minute intake phone conversation with Steph in order to assess readiness and fit, and also to discuss any concerns or questions you may have.

Please contact Steph at soma.spirit.yoga@gmail.com or at 307-760-4775 for more information and to register.