what

The nervous system is the conductor of the orchestra of your body. Its main role is to manage energy availability and coordinate how that energy is allocated throughout the body. In order to do so, the nervous system automatically organizes and processes sensory input from our internal and external environments. Based on these inputs, it allocates energy so we can either mobilise to meet the demands of life, or downregulate and recover from these demands afterwards.

In the work I offer, there are two primary orientations to the nervous system: (1) stress-recovery and (2) optimal experience. These two areas are interlinked, but can be prioritised based on your needs and situation.

1. stress and healing

Nervous system patterning lies at the heart of our stress-recovery response. The nervous system is so basic and essential to our functioning that we often forget about it entirely; and in an optimal condition, it is free and able to do its job without our conscious intervention. However, under chronic or traumatic stress, the nervous system can get stuck in an unhealthy or imbalanced state of activation, shutdown or some combination of the two. In these states, we experience a range of physical, mental and emotional issues including:

• poor sleep and digestion
• increased pain sensitivity, reduced coordination and inhibited recovery
• fatigue or unpredictable energy levels
• an inability to focus, communicate or even access innate skills and abilities
• unhelpful or spiralling thought patterns of anxiety, shame or doom

The nervous system’s state of resilience and health in turn affects our endocrine, cardiovascular, respiratory, digestive, reproductive and musculo-skeletal functioning. Because of its interconnectivity with so many other physiological systems, the nervous system is implicated in a wide range of conditions that we often describe as ‘stress-related’ or stress-triggered. Learning to understand your unique stress triggers, responses and discharge outlets can help you move out of unhealthy states and back towards homeostatis and balance on all levels.

2. flow states, play and peak experience

The nervous system is also responsible for how we process information and use our energy to perform both cognitive and motor tasks. It is therefore at the center of peak experiences like flow states, play, and both creativity and productivity.

When your nervous system feels safe and optimally plugged in to your internal and external environments, you are able to access your best thinking, maintain ideal energy levels and produce your most creative and coordinated actions. This applies no matter the domain of life we’re talking about—from physical performance in sports to cognitive performance and even relational and communicative skills.

This branch of nervous system work is about how we can cooperate with our nervous system to access these peak experiences and states, in order to live and be at our best. Consciously incorporating such experiences into life leads to deeper connections, an enhanced sense of meaning and purpose and more energy to fulfill your passions and drives.

Along the way, we will explore topics and themes like:

• altered states and traits
• self- and co-regulation
• attunement and entrainment
• sensory pleasure, orienting and self-soothing
• the ultradian and circadian rhythms, and
• neuroplasticity for learning and development.

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how it works

I offer nervous system-oriented coaching both in groups and through 1-1 sessions.

classes + workshops

I’m available to lead a group workshop or class series for a group of your choosing. Please reach out to find out more and organize something suitable.

1-1 sessions

We generally begin with an intake call or session to get a sense of where you’re coming from and what you need. After that, sessions will be around an hour each, at a frequency of your choosing (I usually recommend weekly where possible). Sessions can be done in-person or online via audio or video call.

In each session, I will introduce you to a theme or idea about the nervous system, and guide you through one or more nervous-system regulation practices that you can take home with you and do as and when you need to. We also keep time for you to track your own states and progress, and reflect on what you’re learning from your own nervous system. These pre- and post- practice coaching times are the most valuable moments for you to integrate and deepen your own sense of partnership with your body and nervous system.

In 1-1 coaching, you really get a chance to individualise your approach and ask the questions that come up for you as you evolve in this work. I’d recommend 1-1s if you’re going through any nervous-system related issues or illnesses, or in general if life is getting a lot and you know that you need personalised support that is nervous-system informed.