A Newsletter from Brandi Solanki Holistic Neurocounseling
Hi, I’m Brandi - a counselor who shares brain-body healing insights, neuro tips, and ways to connect—locally in Waco or virtually. Sign up to also get resources for nervous system care, plus blog and service updates. Let’s heal together!
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I'm excited to write my first official newsletter for the month of April - my birthday month and favorite season. I was recently reflecting on my birthday 5 years ago - one week into the pandemic shutdown. The world felt so uncertain in April 2020 and there are many parts of me that feel more settled.
But my brain quickly moved to considering the current state of things in the United States - dread and fear entered my body. The steadiness I feel during this time is an enormous privilege - especially while there is so much fear in the queer community, immigrant community, and in bodies of culture.
These groups have been dealing with this dread and fear for generations and most of us that are a part of white cultures are just starting to feel this type of fear deeply in our bodies. When we've seen this level of oppression or experienced this dread in our bodies, we often go about our daily lives and keep our heads down, just put our blinders up - only allowed because of our privilege. But this ignorance is much harder to maintain these days.
What I've noticed about many oppressed groups is they have a much better sense of true, deep, vulnerable COMMUNITY. They have managed this fear and fought for their rights - together. As white communities begin to feel this fear in our bodies will we put our heads in the sand? Or will we use our privilege and build community to help support and fight for EVERYONE?
My hope with this newsletter is that you can get some tips to help regulate your nervous system and to build community and fight the systems that harm us.
MARCH UPDATE
March was a busy month for me! I finally launched by new brand and website and started taking care of a stray cat that had kittens in my house! This took up most of my time but I was able to volunteer for Keep Waco Beautiful, have some birthday time, and visit a new Indian restaurant in town with friends!
Created by Studio Braud
Created by Studio Braud
Created by Studio Braud
My foster kittens!
Tikka House Chole - Vegan!
Harvest on 25th Vegan Cake!
APRIL NEUROTIP: YOUR VERY OWN SPIDEY SENSE
Ever walked into a room and immediately felt anxious? Or met someone that gives you the ick immediately? This is your brain and body "neurocepting." Neuroception is a term that comes from Polyvagal Theory that essentially refers to your built in spidey sense.
Your brain and body are constantly, automatically scanning for safety or danger before your thinking brain ever gets involved - picking up on small cues in your environment, between other people, and inside your body. This means that many of our protection responses (ex: fight, flight, shutdown, etc.) aren't choices but subconscious, built-in survival responses meant to keep us safe.
I always start helping people by guiding them to understand that often our struggles are our brains and bodies just try to keep us safe. Understanding the science behind this can hep us reduce shame and work with our nervous system to help us feel safe.
TRY HELPING YOUR BODY NEUROCEPT SAFETY!
Go to a safe & semi-busy public space
Find a spot to sit quietly for a few minutes
Take 3ish long, deep breathes - then return breathing to normal
Start slowing turning your head and looking around: look left and right, turn shoulders to look behind you on both sides, look up and down.
In your head, answer these questions as you look around: Where are the exits? What objects might you need to move to leave? Where can people approach you from? If danger comes, where can you go to give your body protection?
Turn to Your Body - Answer these questions: If danger comes, what parts of your body might be the most vulnerable? What could you do to protect those parts (crouching, hiding behind something, etc.)?
Do a quick body scan - What parts of your body are reacting strongly to this? Do you feel fear, dread, heat, etc.?
Breath - Take 3ish deep breathes and let your breath return to normal
Try your best to notice and listen WITHOUT JUDGEMENT. You are just taking in information - not applying meaning to it.
Check out my blog Healing Together - a resource with in depth information on different brain-body therapies and holistic healing! This month - to go along with my neurotip, I am highlighting my blog post "Polyvagal Theory: The Science of Safety." Polyvagal Theory is one of the approaches I integrate into my neurocounseling practice with clients! Check out my blog to learn more!
UPCOMING WORKSHOPS & EVENTS FOR HEALERS
Join other healers at Cha Community & Norma's Florals to give a book and get a book!
Healing starts with connection. Now more than ever we need authentic, safe community with others. Check out these opportunities to build community this month.
I'm always on the lookout for a little something something to help you out as we try to find healing and balance in a difficult world. Check out what I found coming up in the next few months.
WACO HIGHLIGHTED RESOURCE
SUPPORTIVE ARTS WORKSHOP
April 23rd | 6:00-8:00pm
Creative expression workshop for those who have experienced significant loss put on by another local healer - Jennifer Caballero, LCSW. $25 supply fee!
Kit Morgan, LCSW hosts a virtual support group for people who experience stress & trauma related to their queer identities and religion. I've followed Kit for a while and love their content. Follow him @theliberatedporch.
I hope you found this month's newsletter helpful! I'm always open to ideas. So if you have other resources or there is a specific topic you'd like me to cover - let me know! Keep at eye out for more resources at the beginning of next month.
I do have current openings for my services! If you'd like to connect with me you can reply to this email or find me at one of these other spaces:
A Newsletter from Brandi Solanki Holistic Neurocounseling
Hi, I’m Brandi - a counselor who shares brain-body healing insights, neuro tips, and ways to connect—locally in Waco or virtually. Sign up to also get resources for nervous system care, plus blog and service updates. Let’s heal together!
