Women's Health: Supporting your Nervous System through Motherhood, Midlife, and Beyond

From child rearing to navigating (Peri-) Menopause with autonomic resilience, understanding Polyvagal Theory and the nervous system can inform how we thrive and grow through all of our life stages.

Join me for a four part
Live Online Webinar Series
held by the Polyvagal Institute

Tuesdays, October 8, 15, and 22,
and Wednesday, October 30, 2024

All sessions meet online from 11:30am-12:45pm Eastern Time 

Webinar Outline

Session 1: Tuesday, October 8

Polyvagal Principles for Birth and Postpartum

In this session we will explore how to optimize the birth or adoption process to minimize trauma and foster connection and co-regulation. We'll focus on the key elements that contribute to a feeling of safety during pregnancy and birth, and how to proactively develop rapport and safe support where it is most needed.

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Key Topics:

• Applying Polyvagal Principles in the context of birth and postpartum.

• The importance of relationships throughout the birth process and new parenting.

• Techniques for practitioners to utilize co-regulation to create a safer and calmer atmosphere.

• Strategies to harmonize the birthing room using the practitioner's nervous system.
  
  

Activities:

• Client stories and real-life examples.

• Practical demonstrations of co-regulation techniques.

• Invitation to participate in experiential body-based mindfulness practices

• Discussions on creating a supportive birth environment and time for Q&A

A Conversation with Stephen Porges, developer of Polyvagal Theory

In this session I will be joined by Dr. Porges to dive deeper into the science behind Polyvagal Theory and how it applies to women's health across the lifespan. Bring your questions for a Q&A period!

Progressing through Menopause with Mindfulness and Nervous System Flexibility

This session bridges the gap between the postpartum period and (peri)menopause, addressing the challenges of chronic stress impacting hormonal changes and the importance of prioritizing self care and work-life harmony. Participants will learn practical mindfulness-based practices to manage daily stressors and support their bodies through midlife transitions.

Key Topics:

• Holistic Health: Relationship between hormones, cortisol, stress, and the nervous system:

  • Hormonal Changes and Perimenopause: Awareness of hormonal shifts

  • Stress and Hormones: Impact of chronic stress on hormones (aspects of chronic stress: work-life, physical and emotional MP symptoms, trauma...)

  • Stress and the nervous system

• Support for hormonal shifts with social connections and adrenal support

• Work-Life Harmony: Strategies for attuning to your body's needs and introducing new pathways for a healthier balance.

• Self-care

Activities:

• Real Life examples and experiential exercises for stress management

• Discussion on creating a nourishing self care practice and a harmonious work-life balance

• Practices for supporting the nervous system and optimizing mind-body health

Navigating Major Life Transitions with Kindness and Autonomic Resilience

This session focuses on understanding the nervous system to build resilience and make intentional choices during major life transitions. Whether post-menopause, navigating midlife and multiple identities, or coping with irreversible changes, participants will learn how to support their nervous system to adapt to changes and overcome challenges.

Key Topics:

• Midlife and Post-Menopause: Adapting to changes in health, energy levels and physical capabilities

• Taking Care of Others: Supporting adolescent children and elderly parents

• Irreversible Events: Healing and moving forward from health crises, relationship changes, and loss

Activities:

• Reflective exercises to understand and support the nervous system

• Practical strategies for resilience and intentional living

• Discussions on managing life transitions with kindness and autonomy