beyond boxes: understanding and working with the wisdom of hybrid nervous system states
July 19th + 26th, August 1st
1-3 pm EST
with Marika Heinrichs + Guests
We’ve been taught an oversimplified model of the nervous system
Polyvagal theory offers a powerful approach to depathologizing how our bodies respond to trauma when engaged from a holistic perspective. However, our bodies are complex and so is our world. We are rarely in a state that fits neatly into the box of “regulated” or “disregulated” alone, and most of the time we are some combination of both.
With interest in nervous system regulation becoming increasingly mainstream, approaches that claim to “hack” our nervous systems lack nuance, and risk causing further harm — especially to those living in bodies that are marginalized due to gender, race, neurodivergence, and trauma.
Hybrid or blended states happen when more than one nervous system pathway is engaged at the same time — These states illustrate the wisdom of liminality and how our bodies adapt and thrive beyond binaries and boxes.
An understanding of safety that doesn’t include factors like social context or neurodiversity risks reinforcing dominance over how we relate to our bodies.
Viewing the nervous system through a hierarchy can also over-emphasize states of stillness, calm, and "safety” that are more about conforming to systems of domination than about creating the liberatory and diverse communities of belonging that we so deeply need. Join us for this dynamic exploration at the intersection of neuroscience and social change.
This collaborative series includeS:
A politicized and neurodiversitY affirming approach to polyvagal theory
storytelling and practices to help practitioners better understand and work with the wisdom of hybrid nervous system states
three sessions exploring hybrid states including;
Fawn and Appease: supporting racialized and queer embodied wisdom
with Raina LaGrand on July 19thFixate: a depathologizing approach to working with addiction
with jan winhall on July 26thFired up// mobilized in connection: building relational movements for liberation with Nazbah Tom on August 1st
your teachers:
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I’m a queer femme bodyworker, writer, and teacher who grew up on Anishinaabe and Haudenosaunee Territory in so-called Southern Ontario, Canada.
I’ve been involved in racial and healing justice movement work for over 15 years, and I practice within these communities as a somatic therapist and facilitator.
You can read more about my training and background here.
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Raina is a somatic therapist, coach, yoga teacher, and educator whose expertise lands at the intersection of trauma, racial identity, and belonging.
In her practice, Root to Rise Somatics, she specializes in supporting people with developmental and relational trauma, and offers additional services catered to the needs of mixed race adults and interracial couples. Raina lives with her dog on occupied Anishinaabe land (Ypsilanti, Michigan, USA).
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Jan Winhall, M.S.W. P.I.F.O.T. is an author, teacher and seasoned trauma and addiction psychotherapist. She is Core Faculty and a Course Developer with the Polyvagal Institute where she offers a training program based on her book Treating Trauma and Addiction with the Felt Sense Polyvagal Model, Routledge 2021. She is an Adjunct Lecturer at the University of Toronto and a Certifying Co-Ordinator with the International Focusing Institute. Jan is Co-Director of the Borden Street Clinic where she supervises graduate students. Jan enjoys teaching all over the world (she also happens to be Marika's mom!)
You can reach her at janwinhall.com.
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Nazbah Tom (Diné) is a somatic practitioner who uses conversation, breath work, gestural work, bodywork, and somatic skills to guide individuals and groups through a process of embodied transformation.
who is this series for?
This series is designed for body-based practitioners including somatic therapists, bodyworkers, and coaches. Anyone with a basic knowledge of the nervous system and polyvagal theory is welcome to join, however this workshop is designed as an intermediate level offering so please be aware of the intended audience when you register.
We will focus on present moment explorations over processing personal histories, and while healing may happen — this is not a therapeutic group.
pricing + sliding scale
Workshops may be attended individually or as a series; registration for the full series is recommended as sessions will build on previous material and support a layered understanding of hybrid states.
All workshops will be recorded and available for 60 days
Cost per workshop: $70/ USD
Cost for entire series: $180/ USD
Reduced rate spots are available
We use this tool to determine sliding scale eligibility. If you fall on the low-bottom or lower-middle ends of the scale you are welcome to reach out about a PWYC spot. We trust your self assessment and don't require personal information about your financial situation.
Please e-mail for PWYC registration: assistant (@) wildbody.ca
