Meditation Informs Healing Facilitation

Hello Dear Ones,

The first course in the Trauma Informed Astrology Essentials Level Certification process, Nervous System Foundations, is just about ready (we are now offering the Pre-Launch Sale, and the course will be completely ready by April 20th).

Here is a brief description of this first course:

In Trauma Informed Astrology, we are combining three large, significant topics – Somatics / Embodiment Tools; Nervous System Repair & Polyvagal Theory; & looking at how trauma can manifest in the Western Astrology horoscope. Because this is such an ambitious endeavor, the first course will be more about blending Embodiment Tools & Nervous System Repair / Theory to help practitioners (whether astrologers, yoga teachers, bodyworkers, psychotherapists, life coaches, etc) come down out of their heads and into their bodies, and to develop a better understanding of what it means to be Trauma Informed. In other words, the first course does not actually have much astrology in it (novices and neophytes will be fine to take this course).

Nervous System Foundations is the beginning of the Trauma Informed Astrology journey. In this course, we are starting to flesh out – “What is trauma?”, “What is resilience?”, “What are the Trauma Informed principles and how do we apply them?”, etc. We are also getting into the Autonomic Nervous System – the sympathetic and parasympathetic branches, and even covering a little bit about the Vagus Nerve. There are about 10 Somatic Tools which help to settle the nervous system and lead toward greater embodiment. We will discuss the Functional Range (our range of resilience) and how this applies to working with clients and students. Plus, there are two demonstration sessions included, along with discussions about those sessions and how you can use some of those tools in your own practice. On top of all this, we also discuss more about what embodiment means.

In this course, we have over 30 videos (some shorter, some longer lectures) which add up to more than 14 hours of content! With each of T.I. Astrology’s main courses (Nervous System Foundations included) come four Discussion Groups. We will be starting these groups in May of 2023 – they will be one-hour, live, online groups where we meet to discuss the material from this first course.

Therefore, the course is more than 14 hours of pre-recorded material that you can go through at your own pace. And then it includes 4 hours of Discussion Group time where you can deepen your learning and get your questions answered regarding the vital nervous system material and more.

To visit the Nervous System Foundations Sale Page, go here: http://traumainformedastrology.teachable.com/p/ns-foundations-sales

At the moment, we are offering a Pre-Launch Sales discount. Pay $325 for the entire course – after April 20th, the price will go up to a sliding scale of $675 – $375. To go directly to the check out page for this Sale, click on this link: https://traumainformedastrology.teachable.com/purchase?product_id=4697067

Thank you for your interest!

Kirby Moore and the Trauma Informed Astrology team

Hello Dear Ones,

I recently came across a good resource discussing the basics of meditation. It is geared toward how meditation can benefit seniors, however, there is good information for a broad population that is presented. Take a peek.

Here is the link: https://www.retireguide.com/retirement-life-leisure/healthy-aging/mental-wellness/meditation/

I must add, that if someone has certain issues – high anxiety, panic disorders, paranoia, or other mental health issues, then seated, static (unmoving) meditation is not a good place to start. What would be better is some form of movement meditation – whether yoga, Tai Chi, Qi gong, walking meditation, etc. Also, finding a good meditation teacher you resonate with is important.

May we all find happiness and its causes,

Kirby Moore

konchog chakchen

Hello Dear Readers,

I have been busy so far in 2023 – lots of bodywork / nervous system repair clients in January. Now I am / we are getting more videos done for the Nervous System Foundations course. It looks like we have about six – seven hours left to complete. So the end is in sight! Yay!

The Trauma Informed Astrology certification process will include 3 main courses – and this is the first of those. Nervous System Foundations (1), Astrology and the Polyvagal System (2), and Navigating the Healing Journey (3). In addition, there will be other requirements (to get certified) as well – attending 10 discussion groups, completing assignments and attending practice groups, getting some personal sessions (somatic processing), and attending case consults.

We have postponed the launch of this first course a couple times now (Feb 15th was the second target we were aiming for). But thankfully, we should be finished with the videos in about three weeks. Then we want to send them away in a copyright application, then we will announce everything and go public in a big way. (And then we plan to get started on the second course!)

Life is busy and dynamic – I love the work I do. I love that people seem interested in the Trauma Informed Astrology idea. And I am completing trainings in Integral Somatic Psychology this month – Raja Selvam’s potent work on how to fully embody challenging emotions – which will enhance what I offer even further.

It is an interesting balancing act though – maintaining a private practice offering bodywork & nervous system repair work in-person and online four days a week. And attempting to get this course completed and out there! Wow! Just know I am working hard when I can – and still having some time for me. We are getting there though!

Hope your late winter / spring is going well!

Kirby Moore

konchog chakchen

Hello Dear Ones!

I hope this finds you well. And that you are able to move toward well-being in spite of everything!

It has been a bit of a rollercoaster for me. With traveling in November, then Covid in December, plus Mars retrograde, then Mercury retrograde, and Neptune (in Pisces) conjunct my Sun… Wow I am ready for a smoother journey! Anyone else?

As far as Trauma Informed Astrology goes, we have been making little tweaks to orient entirely to the Six Trauma Informed Principles. And now we are producing videos again. Yay! The ambitious but doable date of Feb 15th as the deadline to have the first course completed is still possible. We hope to get Nervous System Foundations out around that time (it is an online class on Teachable).

In this first course, we are focusing primarily on what it means to be trauma informed, and looking at the nervous system (to ensure that participants know how to avoid re-traumatizing clients or students). There will also be live, online discussion groups that go with these courses to provide time for questions and answers and deeper discussions of this vital material!

I have also been busy with my bodywork practice – offering emotional-process-oriented bodywork, nervous system repair, and resilience building treatments in Charlottesville, Virginia. I am very fortunate and humbled to be able to offer so much to the community. And I appreciate learning from and learning with my clients!

Considering how much work it is to produce high quality, professional videos, you won’t hear from me much on here (on the blog). But know that I am busily working behind the scenes and hopefully in a month we can celebrate the first course being available!! (fingers crossed)

Wishing you all well, may we discover an easier way of being in the world and in relationship to life!

Thank you,

kirby moore

konchog chakchen

Healthy Working: Finding Self-Care as a Busy Entrepreneur

As an entrepreneur, much of your time is going to be spent running sales, developing products, and pitching for investment. Unfortunately, this can mean self-care gets pushed to the side but, if you want to avoid burnout, it’s important to take time for yourself — here are a few strategies from Meditation Informs Healing Facilitation to get you started.

Reading

Given the breakneck pace of modern business, it’s crucial that we find ways to slow down and focus on a single task. Reading is not only a great way to calm our mind, but it’s also an opportunity to learn and expand our skill sets. If you want to improve your knowledge about a certain field of study, start with non-fiction books, and if you need a way to slow the world down, opt for a good novel. Introducing this practice before bed will help you to take your eyes off screens and soothe a restless mind in time for sleep.

Exercise

It’s difficult to overstate the importance of exercise in shaping a positive work/life balance. According to ISSA, if you can find the time to get moving, you’ll experience improved levels of energy, a more positive mindset via the release of endorphins, and improved concentration when on the job. It can be hard to find the time for cardiovascular health when your schedule is already full, so try to integrate this into your commute or work breaks. If you live or work in a walkable area, choose to walk to pick up your coffee or a few groceries instead of driving.

To free up time for exercise during other parts of the day, see if there are work tasks you can accomplish during your commute. For example, use your iPhone to save files or emails as PDFs so you can read through your messages even if you don’t have internet access. This is a useful strategy for freeing up time later in your day. By getting work done en route, you’ll have time available at the office.

Meditation

Please keep in mind there are many different ways to move toward health and well-being. Meditation can be one of them. However, if we have really big emotions, high anxiety, or a tendency to have big fear or even paranoia, then seated meditation will just bring those up more. If you have tried seated (or static) meditation and it has been difficult for you, you might want to consider yoga, walking meditation, hiking, Chi Kung or Tai Chi. You might want to experiment with a Nia or Zumba class (dance / aerobics type of movement). With that said, if you are able to do seated meditation with relative ease, then that is a great way to calm the mind and body.

The benefits of meditation are multifaceted and far-reaching, according to Netdoctor. Depending on which form you adopt, you’re bound to experience a number of different outcomes that can improve your work performance and mental state. Vipassana (or ‘insight’ meditation) aims to liberate you from suffering caused by false perceptions. Mettā (or ‘loving-kindness’ meditation) helps you to cultivate self-compassion and repeated positive phrases.

Business Tools

With the right tools and shortcuts, you can save time, money, and stress. If you’re working with designers or other visual-based team members, a free online PDF editor could help you to condense PDFs, adding text, sticky notes, highlights, and other images to the document. You may also find time tracking apps prevent you from wasting hours unnecessarily or over-committing to a task.

Look for online resources that can help grow your knowledge, too. If you’re interested in SEO, for instance, you can learn more here. Brushing up on your SEO skills will help grow your business’s web influence and reach.

Changing Directions

You may find that being an entrepreneur isn’t for you. If you want to rejoin the workforce in a different field, you may want to consider going back to school for a degree. If HR interests you, for example, consider this option. Pursuing a degree online has never been easier. And with flexible scheduling you can find a way to fit your coursework into your busy life.

Counseling

Sometimes, when stress and anxiety become overwhelming, it’s important that we seek help. Online therapy is secure and private and can represent less of a time commitment than in-person options. With the right provider, you’ll have a wide variety of licensed professionals to choose from at reasonable rates. Before committing to any practice, carry out some research looking at the cost of a therapist and ask whether they offer a free consultation so you can ensure that you’re a good match.

Balance Work and Self-Care

Entrepreneurship is hard work, but it shouldn’t come at the expense of your mental health. However busy you are and however many commitments you have in your schedule, be sure to free up a few hours in the week for that all-important self-care. Use apps to make your time more productive and to remind yourself when to take a break. And truly take a break by going for a walk, reading a book, or engaging in some other form of self-care. You are more important than your job, so find a way to balance your well-being alongside your career.

Thank you again to Camille Johnson who wrote the majority of this article. Slight edits done by Kirby Moore.