Free mindfulness practices & talks
“heyaṁ duḥkham-anāgatam: The pain that is yet to come can be avoided.” Yoga Sutra 2.16
Triggered? Got a Craving? Breathe Yourself Calm
Pranayama (or breath guidance) is a yogic tool for controlling the breath to achieve a specific result. In this case, we will direct the breath to lengthen and balance, resulting in more comfort in the body and ease in the mind. This technique is called Coherent Breathing. It was first taught to me by the inspiring Bay Area yoga teacher Baxter Bell. Studies show that Coherent Breathing leads to an increase in GABA (a neurotransmitter that decreases anxiety), and a decrease in cytokines (proteins that signal the body’s inflammatory response). Treat yourself to this 5-minute oasis to reduce stress and stimulate wellbeing. This is also an excellent tool for coping with cravings or triggers. (Read more about Coherent Breathing).
Somatic Sobriety Wisdom of the Week Tea Chat: Vulnerability, Resilience, & Unconditional Love
From a somatic perspective, Sobriety is the practice of CARING FOR and BEING WITH our tender human selves — instead of avoiding, running from, or numbing our experience. Embodied practices that incorporate unconditional kindness towards ourselves helps us build resilience for whatever the day brings! This Sober Wisdom Tea Chat with Chelsea Rappel provides a space to share experience, strength and hope on this topic, along with resources to help support you on your recovery journey. Please take what you like, and kindly leave the rest. Find Chelsea’s new favorite morning practice, Letters From Love, with Liz Gilbert, right here.
KCBZ Freedom Flow Radio Show ON AIR with Awakened Recovery founder Chelsea Rappel, C-IAYT
Awakened Recovery founder Chelsea Rappel hangs out and chats with Randy Fortes on the Freedom Flow Radio Show. Please tune in and chill with us. We're grooving to the music of Whitney Houston (one of the GREATS) and talking Somatics, life in the time of COVID, hopes and dreams, and recovery.
Freedom Flow Radio Show, with host Repertoire (AKA Randy Fortes), blends spoken word, freestyle rhyme, and music with meaningful conversation. We explore honoring and sharing our gifts, overcoming obstacles, and ultimately finding our FLOW. Learn more about Freedom Flow Radio here.
Can’t find the recording? Try searching the archives here (Chelsea’s show is #45).
10-Minute Guided Meditation for Stress (Be your own BFF)
Somatic Protocol for Stress Reduction
Unresolved toxic and traumatic stress plays itself out through the body. Symptoms include muscle tension, increased heart-rate, social isolation, erratic thoughts, excessive anxiety, worry or depression, fatigue, burnout, insomnia, and difficulty focusing or sitting still. Treat yourself to this simple, 10 minute guided meditation utilizing an effective stress-reduction technique. This technique was created by Molly Carmel (an excellent resource for anyone struggling with sugar or food addiction), and was passed onto me by my beloved sponsor, Suzy. During this practice, we will apply user-friendly somatic tools such as mindful breathing, relaxation of the body, and felt-sense connection to the present moment. Cultivate resilience and develop self-compassion to cope with stress in a healthy and sustainable way.
Yoga Therapy & Addiction Recovery: Interview with Chelsea Rappel
Interview conducted by Julianna Mitchell of Living Now Yoga (www.livingnowyoga.com). Join Julianna's Facebook group 'Learning - Seeking - Teaching' to be a part of the conversation!
Julianna interviews Chelsea Rappel, Yoga Therapist, Somatic Healer and founder of Awakened Recovery. Julianna and Chelsea talk about the intersection of trauma, dysregulation in the nervous system, and addiction, and offer some practical tools and tips for creating inner balance harmony and peace through yoga therapy and somatic practices.
Gentle Yoga Practice for Stability & Strength
Enjoy a gentle somatic yoga class designed to support your holistic recovery journey. This is a slow, steady and mindful full-body stretching and strengthening class, focusing on the recovery principles of "take it easy" and "keep it simple." This class is designed for all-levels, however, please do consult with a trusted medical professional before engaging in any physical activity that feels risky for you. You are also warmly encouraged to take breaks whenever you need to, and rejoin the class when you're ready. Please listen to your body. For this practice, you’ll want a yoga mat and a blanket or towel. Comfortable, stretchy clothing is also helpful.
Somatic Meditation for Anxiety and Overwhelm
My teacher Janice Gates would say that anxiety is the ability to jump to the worst case scenario in a single bound! Some refer to this as “future tripping.” Through a somatic lens, anxiety is the autonomic nervous system’s response to threat (real or perceived). It is the innate and immediate physiological attempt to literally fight or flee from danger to find safety. However, in most cases*, we are not in real danger, and going down the rabbit hole of anxious thoughts can make things worse. This meditation combines techniques from Somatic Experiencing, as well as Yoga Therapy, to calm the nervous and limbic systems and return us to equilibrium. When we are feeling safe and balanced, we can better determine the next right action, with a relaxed yet alert body and a clear mind.
*Sometimes the situations, environments and/or systems we are in are NOT safe. In this case, the answer might not be to meditate right now, but to find a way to get to safety. If you are in a crisis and would like support, text HOME to 741741 or visit www.crisistextline.org to connect with a Crisis Counselor for free, 24/7 (Awakened Recovery is not affiliated with or sponsored by Crisis Text Line).
20-Minute Yoga Nidra (“Yoga Nap-time”)
Cultivate Serenity & Deep Relaxation
In need of a relaxation break? Ready to hit the pause button on life? Then this practice is for you! Set aside about 20 minutes in a safe, quiet space for this delicious deep relaxation practice. Yoga Nidra helps us unwind layers of tension and stress to reconnect to that sweet, liberated, spacious place that lies within us all. All you need is a comfortable place to lie down and any cozy items, such as a blanket, warm pair of socks, or sweater so that you can be as comfortable as possible. It is said that 20 minutes of Yoga Nidra is equivalent to 3 hours of deep sleep! Enjoy.
PODCAST: Yoga & Addiction Recovery
From Self-Sabotage to Self-Love
In this podcast with Sober Guy Radio I talk about how yoga and mindfulness taught me how to befriend my long-lost body, put down the booze, drugs, one night stands, and bulimia, and start living a life that I am truly excited about.
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