A Beautiful Space for You
Why did I name my esthetics and coaching studio The Embodied Way? What even is embodiment and why do I think it matters? What is our soma? All of these questions I will answer in this month’s newsletter!
I believe an esthetics service should be more than what is generally found in the big, wide world. I also believe coaching should be and feel very different from ‘talk therapy’ or general life or executive coaching.
When I created my studio I wanted to blend a ‘hands-on’ experience where the conversation and services invite you to have a richer, more satisfying life. When you leave my space, my intention is that you see more of the good- both in yourself and in the world. Plus, you feel better and are more confident- having given yourself the gift of care and connection.
Notes from Glenda
Recently, I had a profound experience with a coaching client- one where I saw the power of embodiment in real time. My client was struggling to hold boundaries and believe she was worthy. Deep sadness, full nervous system dysregulation and survival patterns were kaiboshing her life and relationships.
I knew that embodiment was what she needed in order to find new solutions and to build her internal and external resources.
But, what is embodiment and how does it help? It’s the ability to integrate and align the body (your soma) and the mind. In other words, the thinking and feeling/sensing parts of you work together instead of separately. Somatic (or body-oriented) coaching helps you connect with your body and access the inherent wisdom that is there. Often this wisdom is kept hidden if we stay in our brains- but when we connect with our bodies- what was unknown becomes known. It's pretty trippy!
Unfortunately, western civilization has divided the body and the mind and the negative results are widespread. We are seeing greater and greater levels of dysregulation among all facets of society.
Which demonstrates that the division of the body and the mind is not working. We need to stop relying solely on our thinking brain! While cognition is essential for planning and execution, it’s not the best tool for healing, regulation and feeling vibrant.
When we can realign our minds and bodies, the result is nervous system regulation and a deep, inner self-trust. We make better decisions for ourselves too because we have clarity of what is most important to us.
Back to my client...
We brought her into her body and connected her to her felt-sense. But, because she was accustomed to using only her brain, staying in her body was hard.
I asked for her permission to put my hands on her face, just as I would do when I give someone a facial. To have your face touched is grounding. It also harkens you back to days when you were cradled as a baby. Nothing is more soothing or nurturing.
The results were profound. She had someone right there who could support her while she supported herself as she processed. She was more able to stay in her body. My hands, my presence and my words reminded her that she was not alone and that she mattered.
Well, teamwork made the dream work! My client's nervous system started to regulate (we knew this by the gurgling in her stomach- a unique signal the body gives that processing and release is happening) without us having to talk about hardly anything. She also gained a deeper sense of self because she was listening to and hearing her inner wisdom.
It was embodiment in action. Now her biology and her mind know that there is another way than survival techniques. Her body-mind will remember that new experience and can call upon it whenever she needs it.
I see the same embodiment process happening when someone is having a facial - especially when I prompt them to set an intention at the start of their service. The body wants to align with the intention and the result is a deeper, more relaxed, regulating experience that becomes a resource for the tough days.
We all need resourcing on a regular basis. How can you resource your nervous system so you are ready for life- come what may?
Product of the Month
UV-Science SPF 30 Light and Rich Day Cream
This double-action cream is both a sunscreen and anti-aging in one high-performing product.
Let UV-Science SPF 30 be your go-to sunscreen and anti-aging face cream that protects against UVA and UVB rays and other environmental stressors. This unique emulsion without parabens or fragrances is good for daily use on all types of skin.
This cream is fabulous in the summer and in the winter (for those sunny ski or snow shoes days). It never feels heavy and you can blend it right in with your foundation for a flawless application.
Purchase your favourite products in studio or online at Laboratoire Dr. Renaud. To order online you will have to enter my phone number for The Embodied Way.
PS. As a reminder, Laboratoire Dr. Renaud are a Canadian-made products from Quebec. The Canadian company has been in existence for over 75 years and is committed to quality and effectiveness.
I love supporting Canadian businesses! Let's do our part to keep Canada strong.
Spring Specials
This Summer Season I am excited to offer you some wonderful skin care specials.
For the Summer Season (June -September), I have paired the Ultra-Moisturizing Collagen Veil with a FREE Moor Mud Back Mask. Nothing says renewal and rest like a Collagen Veil Facial. This facial is is hydrating and healing. Seen too much sun? Need a treatment that is cooling and gives you an instant glow? If so, you will love the Collagen Veil Facial. It’s the perfect summer skin soother.
Moor mud is from Bavaria and is an organic tonic for the skin and the body. It relaxes, tones, and soothes. Moor mud also stimulates your circulation which nourishes and rejuvenates your skin (and soul!).
Download the special sheet HERE for all the details!
And for your body? Do you want to keep your skin super soft while enjoying all your favourite outdoor activities? LULU life Shea butter is your ticket to all of this and for the rest of July and August is 15% off.
Sudanese Shea Butter even has a natural SPF of 8 - not enough for a full sun exposure, but great if you need something in the early morning or evening and don’t want to coat yourself with regular sunscreen. Available in-studio only.
Quotes
Your inner voice, your instinct, knows everything. If you listen to what you know instinctively, it will always lead you down the right path." - Henry Winkler
Intuition will tell the thinking mind where to look next." - Jonas Salk
Endnotes
Sending you good thoughts for a lovely rest of July and start of August.
Yours,
Glenda
PS In the coming weeks I will be launching Seriously Better Humans on Substack. This will be a a special place to get some body-oriented practices, coaching, tools and more. I will send the link in the next newsletter and will hope to see you there!
