Stress puts your entire body in a constant state of emergency.

The discomfort you feel when you’re overwhelmed by stress is the sensation of a body that’s buckling under the weight of a burden it can’t handle.

If you feel like you're always one minor emergency away from complete overwhelm, you’re not alone.

All around me there are intelligent, sensitive, gifted souls wondering, “what’s wrong with me?” and longing for relief that reaches those deeper places that conventional medicine can’t (yet) touch. I’ve been there, too.

People suffering from chronic stress tell me very similar things.

Does this sound like you?

  • I tend to bury my emotions -- as much as possible, anyway. Eventually I can’t stuff my feelings anymore and then I snap.
  • I feel overwhelmed in fairly typical life situations. Work-related stress or family stuff seems to tip me over the edge.
  • I know I can handle things better than this. I’m just not at my best.
  • I try to take care of myself, but I still end up feeling like I’m one small crisis away from total overwhelm.
  • I know I’m really a kind, compassionate person... but I find myself snapping at my kids, or my partner. I just can’t seem to roll with the punches anymore.
  • I have tools and ideas to help me deal with stress in my life, but when I really need them, they don’t work. I forget to use them, or they’re just not enough to make a meaningful difference.
  • I feel like I’m working without any margin.
  • Sometimes I feel my emotions at such intense and constant levels, it makes me feel so alone -- like nobody else feels things so strongly (or if they do, they’re doing a lot better job of managing it than I am).
  • Deep down, I’ve wondered if my reactions make me a “bad person” because I end up lashing out at the ones I love most.

You are not weak.

If you resonate with even one of the statements you just read, I want you to know that it doesn't have to be this way.

You don’t have to keep suffering, you’re not doomed, you’re not a bad person, and you certainly don’t have to keep on going like this.

What is the next step?

The sustainable and lasting path out of unrelenting stress doesn’t lie in yet another relaxation technique, an hour on a massage table, or in a bottle of supplements (or drugs, for that matter). And even though habits like exercise and healthy eating make a big difference, they’re not the whole solution, either. (After all, how do you stick to a gym routine and avoid giving into your cravings when you’re exhausted, overscheduled, and stressed to the max?)

The lasting solution is to build your emotional resilience.

With more resilience, you’ll be able to effectively and compassionately handle the inevitable stress that life sends your way. Not only that, but you’ll have the bandwidth to tackle the things that matter most in your life.

Here's what I propose...

Let’s gather together for 4 weeks in an experience that we call, Nimble Heart, Unwavering Soul: A Journey to Emotional Resilience.

I like to think of this program as both a virtual bonfire and medicine woman mentorship….the kind of place where you can be fully yourself, and where you’re just as much a leader as you are a student.

Together, we will...

During these four precious weeks together, we’ll work on the following things:

  • Packing your own emotional “medicine bag” so that you’ll never have to face anxiety, stress, overwhelm, or grief empty-handed again. (This “emergency first aid kit” will include herbs and lifestyle practices that work in less than 10 minutes to bring relief to you or a loved one who is suffering.)
  • Understanding your stress response and the inner workings of your nervous system. You’ll practice specific ways to nourish and care for your physical body to help restore your nervous system to a state of balance and relaxation.
  • Transforming your relationship with food and exercise so that they become part of your personal self-care rituals, not instruments of self-loathing or “shoulds” on your to-do list.
  • De-mystifying the tonic herbs that have been prized all over the world for their ability to impart strength, resilience, and even longevity. You’ll learn from both ancient wisdom and modern research so that you can choose the tonic herbs that are right for your own body and lifestyle, and use them confidently and safely.
  • Cultivating daily self-care rhythms through food, movement, and creative self-expression. You’ll receive support in finally caring for yourself in the way you know you deserve, and you’ll reconnect to the activities that make you feel like your true self, the things that make your heart sing.

The nuts & bolts

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  • Four live teleclasses.

You can call in to listen and participate in the class from anywhere in the world using your phone or Skype. You’ll get all of the benefits of learning from a real-time class, including the ability to participate and ask your questions directly to me, but without any of the hassle of having to travel or interrupt your life to attend a workshop. Learn in the comfort of your pajamas with your favorite cup of tea next to you.

  • Recordings of each class that you can download and save on your own computer or mobile device.

No need to worry if you miss a class; the recording will be sent to you within 24 hours so you’ll never miss a beat.  (Plus, no need to stress about taking copious notes during class. I love that!) Listen to each recording as many times as you like---they’re yours to keep and to refer to again & again.

  • Resource guides & further reading.

Everything in Nimble Heart is based on real evidence and research. The weekly resource guides function like “endnotes” to each class, showing the studies, books, and reference material that the teachings come from. Not only does this give you confidence in the material, but it also gives you easy access to ways to deepen your studies on your own if you want to dive deeper into a particular aspect of emotional resilience. (This is perfect for health & wellness nerds like me. I love a well-curated reading list!)

  • Simple Summaries for each class that you can download and refer to whenever you want to jog your memory about what you’ve learned.

This frees you up from a need to take notes, and is designed to give you just the right amount of information. There’s no long reading (such as with a transcript), just an actionable summary that will help you stay focused on the most important information from the class and on how to apply it in your own life.

  • 24/7 support in our private Facebook community.

Remember, you’re as much a leader on this journey as you are a learner. It’s through your questions and sharing in the Facebook group that you’ll be able to connect the teachings to the real-life challenges that you face. Not only do I participate actively and respond to questions, but the group itself brings incredible wisdom and compassion. This is an active hub of emotional support, a place to share strength and healing. Some of the strongest insights and a-ha moments are born here among the people sharing the journey together.

Nimble Heart works.

Reduce Your Stress by 50% and Experience Fewer Physical & Emotional Symptoms

Nimble Heart is more than just an interesting class. It makes a real and lasting difference in the lives of participants. In other words, it works.

I know this because last July, I rigorously tested this course with real women -- all with similar challenges and obstacles to the ones that you're facing. Before the class started, they took an assessment to measure their stress levels, current state of emotional resilience, and the symptoms of stress manifesting in their bodies. After the 4-week course, they took the same exact assessment again -- and the results speak for themselves.

These are some of the results that participants who completed Nimble Heart have received:

  • Overall stress reduction by an average of 30% in just four weeks.
  • Most participants listed 50% FEWER physical & emotional signs of stress at graduation. This means that they didn’t just *think* they were handling stress better. Their physical bodies told them they were, and the body doesn’t lie.
  • Rated themselves as “much more confident” in their ability to handle stressful situations after graduation.

The most recent cohort of Nimble Heart noticed changes in symptoms like:

  • Irritability
  • Loose stools
  • Constipation
  • Disproportionate emotional reactions
  • Binge eating
  • Intense food cravings
  • Trouble sleeping

 
 

  • Loss of libido
  • Fatigue
  • Headaches
  • Trouble concentrating
  • Neck and shoulder tension
  • Anxiety
  • Feelings of panic
  • Pain (other than headaches)

(Important note: Sometimes the symptoms listed above are signs of other health challenges. If you have any undiagnosed symptoms, please see a healthcare professional. Nimble Heart is not a substitute for medical care and cannot diagnose, prevent, or treat any illness.)

Participant assessments show a clear transformation, but perhaps more powerful are the ways in which participants describe where they are now:

I feel more equipped to a) recognize my stress and b) deal with my stress. This, as a result, makes me feel less afraid of my stress. Also (this is really important, though an unintended outcome): I feel more equipped to handle other people’s stress! I feel like I have more tools to help comfort friends and family during any stressful/anxious moments, which in turn helps me to keep my own balance.

Katie Braja, www.katiebraja.com

“My relationship to stress has changed in that I’m much more aware of my body’s physical reactions. In addition, I now have tools to help address the reactions in the moment, as well as keep them at bay through preventative measures.”

Brandie Sasser

“I’ve found myself slowing down and I’m not sure I even did it consciously.  The best example is what I shared in class tonight about the stressful situation I dealt with at work this morning.  I have a tendency to take things very personally and this particular deal could have turned into a huge pity party if I’d allowed it.  But I was able to slow down, see it for what it really was and be able to look at it objectively rather than start judging myself and telling myself I was a failure.”

Paula

The herbal/nutritional info was the most comprehensive info of that type I’ve ever found.

Brynna

Before the course I came from a place of, “I’m broken.” Now I feel like I don’t have to speak with that voice anymore, to myself, the people in my life or my healthcare providers.  Now I see stress as a thing that happens to me, not as a problem with who I am.

Emma

It was wonderful- each recording is like a gift- I loved listening to it and using the FB page as support and to connect with others- it is great to practice all the tools and learn new ways to support myself in my angst and anxiety.

Arwa Bager, LMHC

When are the classes?

Nimble Heart officially runs from February 3rd-28th, 2015 with live teleclasses at 6pm Eastern/3pm Pacific on the following Tuesdays:

  • Tuesday, February 3rd at 6pm
  • Tuesday, February 10th at 6pm
  • Tuesday, February 17th at 6pm
  • Tuesday, February 24th at 6pm

 Remember, you’ll receive a recording of each class within 24 hours, and there’s 24/7 support and conversation available through our Facebook group. Attending the classes live is ideal, but if you need to miss one (or all) of them because of your schedule or time zone, you can still learn and participate fully along with the rest of us.

Join us for Nimble Heart

Course Tuition

You can join Nimble Heart for two payments of $97.

The first payment will reserve your space in the class, and the second will be billed on February 15, 2015.

Just click the yellow button at the bottom of this page to complete a secure payment through PayPal and claim your spot in the class. After your payment is processed you will be sent a Welcome email with all the class details as well as a quick questionnaire to measure your starting point so I can help you focus on the actions that will get you the best result so you can make the most of the program. If you have any trouble registering, please do not hesitate to email us - info@psycheandsoma.com.

My commitment to you

guaranteeNimble Heart is an opportunity for real support, real transformation, and real, lasting relief. My commitment isn’t *just* to show up as a teacher, share the material, and then move on.

My commitment is to be here for you in a way that makes a real difference.

I want you to have a comprehensive, holistic toolkit for building the kind of emotional resilience that will soothe your soul and open the door to the life you really want to be living. After rigorous research and thorough testing, I’m convinced that this is the best program you can find on this subject.

I also want you to feel confident, excited, and wholehearted about your decision to give this program a try. You have my personal guarantee that Nimble Heart will give you new skills, build your emotional resilience, and fundamentally change the way you think about & experience stress.

My Promise:

Join Nimble Heart and participate fully. Listen and learn from two (2) whole calls. Download the recordings, summary sheets, and resource guides. Benefit from all of the support & love in our Facebook group----dive in for two whole weeks.

At that point, if you feel that Nimble Heart hasn’t started to change the way you cope with stress (for the better!), I will meet with you personally to help you get the support you need. And if after we talk, you feel like Nimble Heart isn’t the right program for you, I will refund your tuition in full.

If you participate in the program and apply what you learn, your relationship to stress will change forever. If the program doesn’t help you, then I don’t want to keep your tuition. It’s that simple.

You have been struggling long enough.

If this message has stirred something in you, and if you know in your bones that now is the time to embark on a new phase of your journey, I’m here ready to stand by your side. So is a wholehearted group of participants who are open to transformation and ready to support you. We want to invite you to a thoroughly-tested, effective, and heart-warmingly beautiful group experience.

Your body has been struggling under the burden long enough. Your soul has waited so patiently for relief. Now is the time to give yourself the knowledge, tools, and support that you need so you can become the emotionally resilient, physically vibrant, and spiritually connected person you were born to become. 

Emotional resilience is your birthright. It’s time to claim it.

Two payments of $97 (first payment now, second in 30 days).

Registration closes on Monday, February 2nd at midnight Eastern Standard time.

I would highly recommend this class- it breaks stress down in a scientific way which, for me, took some of the fear of stress itself out of the equation. I NEVER realized the physical component to my stress reactions were so deep.

Emily

I loved loved loved the teaching in all the classes. Characteristics of a Resilient Person, Polyvagal theory, Herbs, Boundaries – it was all great. Interesting and very applicable. I felt excited for all the calls, and after the first couple of calls, I also felt comfortable and open. The last exercise on the last call – speaking to a future self – filled me with tenderness and gratitude. Now I’m looking at stressful events differently – trying to understand my response, which automatically makes it at least a little easier. So much better than resisting and judging. ”

K. Bristow
  • q-icon“Will this work for me? I’ve already tried yoga, retreats, breathing...nothing seems to stick.”

    Nimble Heart will give you practical tools based on a wealth of research, but unlike a lot of other courses, you’ll also learn the deeper why and how behind what’s really going on when stress overtakes you. You’ll learn why you want to fly off-the-handle or crawl under the covers for an entire weekend, and how a particular tool will work to shift you out of that state of overwhelm. This deeper understanding makes it much easier to do the right thing to care for yourself.

    The sequence of the course, the consistent support in the Facebook group, and the bite-sized nature of the steps I’ll teach will make it simple to start putting your learning into practice right away.

    In my opinion, this is what makes Nimble Heart so much better than an expensive trip to a spa or weeklong retreat. Your learning will unfold right alongside your real life. You’ll test every tool that you learn on the real stressors that are facing you day-to-day, and you’ll get immediate feedback about which ones work best for you. The success and “small wins” will start coming right away, and those little victories not only give you the motivation to keep going, but they add up to big changes before you know it.

  • q-icon"How does the technology work?"

    Classes are held live via a secure teleconference platform. You’ll be able to join the class by phone (mobile or landline) or via Skype. If you’re listening by phone or Skype you can also ask questions and speak with me voice-to-voice during designated times. (There’s even a way for you to “raise your hand” if you have a question or a comment. It’s really neat!)

    The class is also available via a live stream on the internet. The streaming option isn’t very good for participation, however, as it’s on about a 15 second delay.

    There is also a live chat feature available with the teleconference software. This allows for much more interaction and participation during class in much less time, but it’s optional to participate in the chat feature. Some people love it, while others find it distracting.

    The platform we use is very intuitive to use and leads to a rich learning experience for everyone. We think you’ll like it!

  • q-icon"What if I'm on medication?"

    It depends.

    Nimble Heart teaches coping skills and healthy living techniques that work wonderfully alongside medication and/or psychotherapy, and many of our successful graduates participated in Nimble Heart while taking medication & working with conventional healthcare providers. If your condition is stabilized, this program can be a great fit that enhances the results from medication and/or individual therapy.

    That said, Nimble Heart is not a treatment for any kind of physical or mental illness. If your condition is not yet well-managed, or if you’re in a state of acute distress, please consult a licensed health care provider for the kind of one-on-one care that you need. Of course,Nimble Heart is NOT a substitute for the care of a mental health professional, and it’s not a replacement for medication or psychotherapy. It’s also not a good fit for someone in an acute state of psychiatric crisis.

    If you’re unsure about whether the program is a good fit for you based on your personal mental health history, please feel free to email me & the team at info@psycheandsoma.com, or show this page to your doctor or therapist and ask for their advice. (Your doctor or therapist is welcome to email us with questions, too.)

    If you join the program while taking medication, please be aware that some herbal remedies that I’ll teach about aren’t appropriate for people taking antidepressants, anti-anxiety meds, and other psychotropics. I’ll mention potential herb/drug interactions in class, as well as point you toward options that are likely to be safe with your medication, but you’ll need to consult your doctor or pharmacists before adding any herbs to your regimen.


    (Most people who ask this question are asking about psychiatric medications in particular, hence the focus of the above answer. If you’re taking medication for a condition unrelated to mental health, join us! It will not interfere with your full participation in Nimble Heart, though please check with your doctor or pharmacist about any potential herb/drug interactions before taking any herbs discussed in the program.)

  • q-icon"Facebook is part of what’s CAUSING my stress… Won’t the group just add to that? And what about my privacy?"

    I had some of these reservations myself before the first Nimble Heart class. But I was blown away by the quality of the connections, the depth of sharing, and the vibrant community that we created in our Facebook group! Now it’s one of my favorite parts of the program.

    The great thing about Facebook is that it allows for asynchronous participation. That means that you & I can have a “conversation” even if we’re not on Facebook at the same time. If you use this to your advantage and schedule a time to check in and participate in the group, you won’t be overwhelmed by it. You can close the window and forget about it until you’re ready to reconnect with us. That’s the beauty of it!

    Privacy is a genuine concern when it comes to Facebook. Our group settings are “Private” so that anything you post will NOT be visible to your friends—only to members of the class. Still, Facebook itself can “see” your posts, and the data that you share with Facebook is legally “shareable” with other entities including private companies and the government. My rule-of-thumb is that it’s best not to share anything on Facebook that you wouldn’t want the government or your health insurance company to know about you. For me (and many others) that still leaves a lot of room for sharing about our days or asking questions related to specifics of the course.

    For maximum privacy, you are also welcome to participate in the Facebook group using a pseudonym, or to opt-out of the Facebook component of the program.