Navigating Overwhelm: The Art of Resourcing

In the hustle and bustle of our daily lives, we often find ourselves swept away by the fast and sometimes turbulent river of emotions and stress. At English Yoga Berlin, we believe that resourcing is an invaluable technique that empowers us to navigate this overwhelming river with resilience. Today, we invite you to explore the concept of resourcing, inspired by the insights gained from Legacy Motion’sUnderstanding Trauma for Safer Spaces’ course. By taking just ten minutes to identify your personal resources, you can make a significant difference in your well-being. We are excited to bring this transformative practice into our classes, sharing the wisdom we’ve gained to create a supportive and nurturing space for all.

What is a Resource?

A resource, in the context of the nervous system, is anything that helps us navigate or be present with the overwhelm. The key lies in recognizing these resources and utilizing them consciously when needed.

When should I Resource?

The beauty of resourcing lies in its accessibility and simplicity. You can turn to your resources whenever you feel yourself getting activated, when things seem to be moving too fast, or when you need a moment to process something. It’s about taking a pause, regaining your strength, and preparing to face the next part of the river.

Photo by Taryn Manning on Unsplash

Tara Brach describes resourcing in one of her podcasts by using the example of kayaking.

Imagine navigating down a river in a kayak. Sometimes the river moves swiftly and violently. In those cases, we might take refuge behind a rock. This provides a brief pause, allowing us to consider how to deal with the situation, strengthen ourselves, and then navigate the next part of the river. The kayak is our vessel, but the true resource is found in the refuge behind the rock, where we find a moment of solace and empowerment.

Three Types of Resources:

Internal Present:

This type of resource emanates from within, in the present moment. It can be the most challenging to access, especially for individuals with trauma. Examples include taking deep breaths to ground yourself in the now or using the RAIN meditation.

External Present:

Resources from the external environment can provide a valuable anchor. Engage your senses – sight, smell, touch, sound – with a simple practice like the 54321 technique. This brings you back to the present moment, offering a momentary escape from the overwhelm.

Internal Past:

Delve into your internal past for resources by remembering something comforting or grounding. It could be visualizing a safe space that you have experienced or recalling a song that gives you strength – these memories serve as powerful tools to navigate the river of emotions. In times of overwhelm, these internal past resources become like anchors, grounding you and providing the stability needed to navigate the twists and turns of life’s currents.

Embracing Conscious Resourcing

Resourcing is a technique we all inherently know how to do. The key difference lies in elevating it from unconscious use to conscious application. Take ten minutes today to create a list of your personal resources. In moments when our nervous system feels overwhelmed, it’s common to forget what could be helpful. Having a prepared list and using it consciously can make a significant difference.

Consider finding at least two or three resources for each type – internal present, external present, and internal past. This ensures that you have a diverse set of tools to rely on, enhancing the effectiveness of your resourcing practice. Remember, the power of resourcing lies not only in its simplicity but in the conscious and intentional application of these tools when you need them the most.

Finally…

As you navigate the river of overwhelm, remember that your kayak is equipped with the strength of your own resources. Embrace the journey, pausing behind the rocks, and emerge stronger, ready to navigate the next twist in the river of life.

Stay tuned for the upcoming blogs in a three part series, where I’ll be sharing my personal list of resources—Internal Present, External Present, and Internal Past. Join me in exploring these practices and let’s inspire each other to cultivate our unique toolkits for resilience.

Pinelopi embarked on her yoga journey in 1999, completing a 600-hour Hatha Yoga Teacher and Vedantic Philosophy Training course in Valencia, Spain. She founded English Yoga Berlin in 2010, and now has over 15 years of experience as a full-time yoga teacher.

She deepened her knowledge by studying Yoga Anatomy with Leslie Kaminoff. Additionally, she trained with David Moore and attended his “Injury-free yoga” workshops, integrating the Alexander Technique into yoga poses. This comprehensive training enriched her expertise in both fields.

In January of 2023, Pinelopi achieved a significant milestone by becoming a certified Alexander Technique teacher. This was an intensive training for 3.3 years, totaling 1600 hours of dedicated study with Jorg Aßhoff.

Pinelopi’s ergonomic consultations integrate anatomy, Alexander Technique, and yoga’s mind-body understanding. Her holistic approach optimizes well-being in the workplace through comprehensive guidance.

She has completed training in ‘Understanding Trauma for Safer Spaces’ with Legacy Motion and ‘Somatic Embodiment and Regulation Strategies’ with Linda Thai. Her meditation philosophy is deeply inspired by Tara Brach, particularly the RAIN meditation. She is also the author of a children’s book, ‘The Magic of Rain,‘ which introduces the RAIN meditation to children and their grown-ups. It will be published in 2025 by Mango Publishing.

6 week hybrid Meditation Course in Berlin

This course gets repeated almost every year. However, if you’d like to invite me to your work space, business, association, or organization—or if you have a group of at least six interested adults, please reach out to arrange a repeat of this course sooner. It’s available both online and in-studio.

Duration: 45–60 minutes.

Meditation course in Berlin

We all need to find ways to touch base with our Self regularly. In this six week course we will look at different aspects of meditation and learn how to create our own practice.

How does the Berlin Meditation Course work?

Each class will consist of:

  • an introduction explaining the aspect of the meditation we will look at that day
  • short stretching session to move the body before we sit in stillness
  • 20 minute guided meditation on the topic
  • space for questions and comments (optional)
  • this class is both live on a Thursday and online for the whole weekend. The 20 minute meditation remains online till the following Saturday so that you can practice it daily throughout that week.

Berlin Meditation Course Topics:

  • Lesson One: Realizing we are Lost in Thought -Finding Our Anchor
  • Lesson Two: Detaching without Repressing
  • Lesson Three: Use the Door that is Here: Introducing RAIN
  • Lesson Four: Sticky Thoughts- what lies underneath?
  • Lesson Five: Identifying deep held beliefs and understanding their power
  • Lesson Six: What is the Here and Now.

For Whom?

This meditation course is open to everybody, from complete beginners to advanced students.

What to bring?

Mats, blankets and chairs are provided at the studio. If you use a meditation cushion or bench when you meditate, then please bring that with you.

When?

September 14th to 19th of October, 2023

Thursdays starting 8pm.

Duration: 45 – 60 minutes.

The recorded version of this class will get streamed on the weekends (from Friday evening to Sunday night) The 20 minute meditation will stay available online for the whole week.

Price

65 EUR incl. 19% VAT for the 6 classes

Where?

English Yoga Berlin Görlitzerstr. 39 – Berlin

How to Sign up?

Write an email to pinelopi (at) englishyogaberlin (dot) com

About the Teacher:

Beginning her yoga journey in 1999, Pinelopi completed a 600 hour Hatha Yoga Teacher and Vedantic Philosophy Training course over a period of two years in Valencia, Spain.  For the last decade, she has worked as a full-time yoga teacher in Spain and in 2010 she founded English Yoga Berlin. Currently she is deepening her knowledge through Leslie Kaminoff’s Yoga Anatomy Course,  David Moore’s “Injury-free yoga” applying the Alexander Technique postural alignment to all yoga poses. She is now an Alexander Technique teacher and is studied with Jorg Asshof in Berlin.  Her workshops and retreats are inspired by Tara Brach‘s teachings.

Meditation Course: Mindful Care-giving

Although this course already took place, I’d be delighted to offer it again! If you’d like to invite me to your school, association, or organization—or if you have a group of at least six interested adults, such as parents, teachers, or caregivers—please reach out to arrange a repeat of this course. It’s available both online and in-studio.

How can we bring mindfulness in our care-giving with children? In what ways can we help children through difficult emotions even when we are going through difficult times ourselves? How can we create more presence in such a high speed world? Let’s explore all these questions together in this six week course on Mindful Care-giving.

How does the “Mindful Care-giving” Meditation Course work?

Each class will consist of:

  • an introduction explaining the aspect of the meditation we will look at that day
  • short stretching session to move the body before we sit in stillness
  • 20 minute guided meditation on the topic
  • space for questions and comments (optional)
  • this class is both live on a Thursday at the studio and online for the whole of Saturday and Sunday. The 20 minute meditation remains online till the following Saturday so that you can practice it daily throughout that week.

Meditation course topics:

In this course we will explore:

  • the RAIN meditation and how to apply it to ourselves
  • share stories on how we can guide children through RAIN
  • practice bringing awareness to the beliefs that could be fueling certain reactions in us
  • learning to wonder about what the child is believing and how that is fueling their reactions
  • ways for all of us to slow down in our interactions and allow for spontaneous connection

For Whom?

This meditation course on mindful care-giving is open to everybody who has a relationship to children and teenagers. This can be parents, teachers, kindergarten teachers, grandparents, aunties, uncles and auncles, health practitioners, and grown-up friends of children and teenagers.

What to bring?

Mats, blankets and chairs are provided at the studio. If you use a meditation cushion or bench when you meditate, then please bring that with you.

When?

This course originally took place on Thursdays at 8 PM from January 12th to February 16th, 2023.

Although this session has ended, I’d be delighted to offer it again! If you’d like to invite me to your school, association, or organization—or if you have a group of at least six interested adults, such as parents, teachers, or caregivers—please reach out to arrange a repeat of this course. It’s available both online and in-studio.

Duration: 45–60 minutes.

Price:

70 euro for the 6 classes

Where?

English Yoga Berlin Görlitzerstr. 39 – Berlin

How to Sign up?

Write an email to pinelopi (at) englishyogaberlin (dot) com

RAIN Meditation on TV Addiction – Part 2

A personal story – The RAIN meditation on wanting

In Part 1 of this blog I introduced Tara Brach’s RAIN meditation and how it can be used on the deep rooted feeling of wanting and addiction. As I started to deepen my thoughts around the subject, I realized that I have never once simply sat with the feeling of wanting TV. I always either react quickly by giving in to the feeling (turning on Netflix) or by coming down very harshly on myself for wanting this (not allowing the feeling to be here and pushing it out with harsh words). Therefore, I took the decision to practice RAIN the next time the feeling arises!

Resistance to bringing the RAIN meditation on wanting

The first thing I noticed when the feeling next arose was that I definitely did not want to practice the RAIN meditation on wanting! The feeling itself was strong and pulling towards action and was refusing to be the object of quiet observation. I had to make a deal with myself in order to practice. Much like I talk to my daughter, my mother voice came in my thoughts and said to the feeling, “Hey, listen I am not saying no to watching TV. I am saying we will observe the feeling for a while, practice RAIN and then if we still want to, we will watch TV. We will just have done it consciously. That’s all.” Just like a small child, the feeling answered, “Do you promise?!! This is not some trick to take me away from the well deserved rest we need?”. The more conscious part of me was able to respond quietly, “Yes, I promise. I am happy to watch TV if we have made a conscious kind decision about it.” Reluctantly, the feeling agreed to being observed.

Recognize is the R in RAIN

I started by giving a name to this feeling. I called it “wanting”. The first step is to name it. As you name it, you also shape it. It becomes an entity that has a bit more well-defined boundaries. This helps take it out from a nebulous kind of feeling that oozes everywhere in my subconscious to something more concrete that I can open myself up to.

Allow is the A in RAIN

The second step was to allow it to be here exactly as it is. This was incredibly difficult. Realizing how much resistance I carry towards this feeling was mind blowing. It was eye opening to realize that I never even considered allowing to be an option before now. As I formulated the words in my mind “I allow the Wanting to be here” , things started to move in my body and I was able to see the true power this feeling holds over me.

Investigate is the I in RAIN

The third step of RAIN is Investigate. Where is this feeling in the body and how does it manifest? The trick here is to stay focused on the body, not on the mind and its millions of thoughts and analyses. As I came to this step, the first thing I realized is that this feeling is very alive in my body. It is mostly in my chest and it is very strong. It has a one-pointed quality to it that is intensely forward looking. I stayed for two minutes in this step simply naming the experience: chest clenched; pointy – pushing outward; rush; pinch in the back of my neck; eyebrow center scrunched; belly empty; chest clenched; strong flow of direction forward; pulling; skin prickly; chest clenched.

It has a one-pointed quality to it that is intensely forward looking…

Photo by Fabio Ballasina on Unsplash

Nurture is the N in RAIN

As I came to the N of RAIN, I was called to nurture the feeling. There was, by now, no doubt in my mind that this feeling was much stronger than I ever gave it credit for. I started by asking the feeling of wanting, what do you need? The answer was immediate, “I am tired! So so tired! I just want to relax and disconnect. I am running all day long juggling five different roles and I am truly tired. Let me disconnect”.

So I placed my hand on my heart and with compassion responded with what the feeling needed. “I see how tired you are”, I told myself with love. “I am here for you. In this moment here we are disconnecting from the running machine of life. In this moment now we are disconnecting and re-connecting. I see you and I am here for you. I see you and I am here for you.” I kept on telling myself these words on repeat. As I did this, my compassion for myself started to grow. As it grew, everything in me started to soften. Everything started to feel less immediate, less pointy, less intense.

After The RAIN meditation

Tara Brach often gives the example of the ocean and the wave as a practice one can do after the practice of RAIN. This image has become one of the strongest guides in my life in the past years. Think of this feeling you are now experiencing as one wave in an ocean. The wave belongs to the ocean just as this feeling belongs to you. But the whole ocean can not possibly enter in a single wave. You are the ocean, not the wave. When I can finally connect to my “Oceanness” is when I enter the sweetest meditation space I know. There is no denying that this wanting feeling is very strong. It is a big wave. Nonetheless, I have been reducing my whole Self to a wave whenever I experience it, thinking it defines me. I am much more than that, I am the whole Ocean itself. I stayed meditating on the sweetness of my “Oceanness” for a while and it was touching.

Funnily enough, when I came out of the meditation, I was inspired to jot down ideas for this blog, looked up articles on the addictive power of TV to reference, listened to music and……I sincerely forgot to watch TV! I simply forgot. Later my partner came in the living room and we had a sweet moment of connection that I would have missed out on had I not paused to do RAIN and had I been immersed in the TV world.

RAIN meditation on wanting was definitely an exploration worth doing!

About the author:

Pinelopi specializes in Hatha Yoga. Her yoga Kreuzberg Berlin classes are open for and welcoming to beginners. She offers Berlin business yogaprivate yoga classes for people struggling with chronic pain, yoga courses, retreats and workshops.  She is currently deepening her knowledge through Leslie  Kaminoff’s Yoga Anatomy course and training to become an Alexander Technique teacher.

RAIN Meditation on TV addiction – Part 1

A personal story on wanting – meditation on addiction

Four years ago I discovered Tara Brach’s RAIN meditation. It is not an exaggeration to say that it changed my life. Since then, I have read all of her books; have listened to hundreds of her podcasts; practiced daily; presented the meditation to my yoga students in Berlin and applied it to better understanding my daughter’s emotional world.

RAIN is a meditation that guides you through an emotion rather than around an emotion. RAIN is an acronym and each letter stands for a step to follow as you meditate:

  • R is for Recognize what you are feeling.
  • A is for Allow the feeling to be here as it is.
  • I is for Investigate where the feeling is in your body (this is not a mental investigation as to why this feeling is here).
  • N is for Nurture the hurting place.

If you want to get to know this meditation I highly recommend that you check out Tara Brach’s RAIN resource page.

What are my addictions?

When I was reading Tara’s Radical Acceptance I stumbled upon a chapter called “RAIN on Wanting”. This chapter was dedicated to how to use RAIN meditation on addiction and addictive behaviors. It got me thinking about if I have any addictive behaviors myself. The only thing I came up with that may be problematic was that I go through periods of time where I get totally wrapped in watching a series on Netflix. This is not constant and I still go to work and parent lovingly so I have never considered it to be an addiction. On the other hand, when I go through this it sometimes feel like I can not break the spell.

Can series watching be an addiction? How to bring meditation on addiction.

… when I go through this it sometimes feels like I can not break the spell.

Can series watching be an addiction?

Is this really a problem? Could it be an addiction? I sway between two poles when I think of this. On the one hand, I believe in the power of stories. It can be an art form of both entertainment but also (when watching something of quality) self discovery and empathy. Being put into another person’s shoes, living through the lens of their eyes, and opening yourself to other point of views carries beautiful transformative power. On the other hand, series watching also has an addictive sort of power to it. I feel that there are so many other things I could do in the evenings. Things that I equally love, such as listening to or playing music, drawing, singing or talking to a friend on the phone. Unfortunately, I often feel too tired to do any of these at the end of the day and turn to TV as a passive form of entertainment ending up to be my default choice.

Have you ever meditated on the feeling of wanting?

One thing that I realized as I pondered on these thoughts, was that I never ever have simply sat with the feeling of “wanting tv”. When this feeling of wanting arises there are two possible extremes that I react with. I either give in to it (turn on Netflix) or I come down very strongly on myself for having it (no! You have to work in the morning! And one episode will lead to another! And no, this is just not an option right now so stop feeling it!). Both the meditation world, as much as the psychological world, say that sitting with a feeling is important. This is something that I definitely practice a lot with other feelings in my life through RAIN and other techniques. So it was a big surprise for me to realize that there is one feeling – the feeling of wanting TV- that I have not sat with. I always react swiftly to it and never allow it to be. I either immediately act on it or push it away. What would bringing the RAIN meditation on addiction be like?

So I thought that next time the feeling arises I will pause and practice RAIN on wanting. I was curious to see if this would be helpful or give me new insights on the way I approach the subject. On Part 2 of this blog I will outline what happened during the meditation session. But till then, maybe some readers want to try out RAIN on Wanting on their own?

I am very interested to hear your experience.

About the author:

Pinelopi specializes in Hatha Yoga. Her yoga Kreuzberg Berlin classes are open for and welcoming to beginners. She offers Berlin business yogaprivate yoga classes for people struggling with chronic pain, yoga courses, retreats and workshops.  She is currently deepening her knowledge through Leslie  Kaminoff’s Yoga Anatomy course and training to become an Alexander Technique teacher.