Relief for the Anxious Teen

You are MORE than Anxiety

Wednesdays- Feb 14- March 6th, 2024

4:30pm pst/7:30pm est

Offered in a private digital space

There are countless reasons to feel anxious. The world is a lot and your feelings are valid. In case you think “anxiety” is an inescapable part of you, that you are no longer safe inside your own body because an episode of panic might attack at any moment…may I offer that you are much more than anxiety, it’s a passing state that can arise to get your attention, to remind you that you are worthy and deserving of feeling comfortable in your own skin, safe enough and authentically confident. No one feels great all the time, but some of us feel a sense of impending doom…most of the time. Maybe you’ve been diagnosed with an anxiety disorder, or maybe you’re suffering silently with anxiety attacks and nervousness and your life is becoming smaller and smaller. I’ve been there, I was there for a long time, and I want to help.

The tools I offer won’t make anxious thoughts disappear forever, but they can empower you to soothe the often scary physical symptoms of anxiety and recognize how simple movements, breath and relaxation techniques can help enough for you to recognize that you have more agency than you think you do. Over time, when that sensation or thought comes up, you’ll be able to respond with friendliness toward it from the part of you that is not afraid.

Together, let’s create a safe online space for four weekly live one hour therapeutic sessions to explore accessible, evidence-based techniques to calm anxiety, panic attacks and challenges with sleep. You will not be expected to share in classes if you prefer to simply receive the proven set of skills I will offer to support you. You can expect to sample simple ways of moving, breathing and relaxing to settle your “nervous” nervous system (it’s ok to feel nervous!) so you can utilize them when you need them.

WHAT YOU WILL RECEIVE:

WEEK ONE- From a private space in your home or somewhere you feel “safe enough”, you will be invited to gently move your body in accessible ways to release tension and ease your breathing. My intention is to show you that less movement than you think can regulate your breath, sending a message to your body that all is well, and you are safe (enough). I will show you a morning movement series to begin your day from a more grounded place and explain that your body is actually attempting to help you when you feel the uncomfortable sensations of “anxiety”. Every class will feature at least 20 minutes of progressive relaxation skills and “productive rest”, a restorative experience shown to help with sleep and support mental health in general.

WEEK TWO- We’ll build on movement sequences that invite your body to feel more energized yet relaxed at the same time. This week, we’ll explore some very simple, but useful breath techniques to calm the mind and body. I understand some of us anxious folx don’t like to pay attention to our breathing, because some varieties of anxiety include a sensation of losing one’s breath. I will offer options for these cases, and an experience of relaxation that utilizes imagery to continue to focus the mind and become present-centered. (an anxious mind is usually living in the “what if” and “what’s next” space, I invite you to be in the “what’s now”).

WEEK THREE- More movement to build joy and authentic confidence and create a boundary of self-worth. We’ll explore using the imagination to invite stability and ease. Learn to answer the anxious mind with a compassionate inner voice and experience more real, healing rest.

WEEK FOUR- We’ll pull it all together to give you a set of practices you’ll have forever. May they support you in continued self-care and self-discovery, leading to treating yourself the way you would a treasured loved one. Expect flowing movement, relaxation-inducing breath, meditation tips for the interested and relaxation.

There will be space offered at the end of every session for questions or personal connection via private chat or email but it is not required. I am offering a set of skills that worked for me and have worked for many young people I have shared with over the years as a yoga therapist and somatic coach.

Get to know me a bit more, my own bout with disordered anxiety and how yoga therapy can help.