Bodywork for Depression and Anxiety Live Webinar

Course overview

Depression and anxiety has become an epidemic in our society with more people than ever seeking relief through both conventional and alternative methods. Trauma, loss, and the everyday challenges of daily life can create constriction and loss of connection in the physical and emotional body. From these big and small traumas, our body begins to form in a way that sets in fatigue, exhaustion, distress, difficulty focusing, irritability and physical pain. Depression and anxiety are signs of an overwhelmed nervous system that eventually reveal itself in the body through tension, pain, misalignment and discomfort. In this course you will learn specific hands-on massage techniques that unwind targeted areas of the body that have been contracted, bringing more relaxation and movement into the body. The hands-on techniques that we teach are as follows: - integrative reflexology to specifically address the connection between physical conditions/symptoms and targeted reflex points - balancing stress hormones through acupressure and reflex points that help with anxiety and depression - integrative reflexology points for nervous system health, downshifting from the fight, flight or freeze response - techniques on how to give a full foot massage and keeping the practitioners body safe through a whole hand approach (not finger or thumb walking) - acupressure point protocol that helps alleviate symptoms of anxiety and depression and bring specificity to targeted areas in the chest, head and neck. - protocol of physical assessment and instruction on massage techniques to release areas of tension that are common in those with anxiety and depression. All of these techniques are shown during the live webinar via live video feed and presentation slides. You will have the opportunity to interact with the instructor, ask questions and get feedback. In addition, we will look at the science behind depression and anxiety, what is happening in the brain as well as the importance of understanding conventional treatments. We discuss the vagus nerve and vagal tone and how this is a key component in addressing depression and anxiety. We explore emotional anatomy, including how the body is shaped by trauma, thought, feelings and beliefs, and discuss how mindfulness practices can alleviate negative thought patterns. We incorporate movement and slower, fuller breathing practices that help support a distressed system (you will be able to teach your clients to support themselves in self-care during and between sessions). These practices activate the parasympathetic part of our nervous system. This hands-on and highly experiential class is intended for the bodywork practitioner to support clients in the healing of depression and anxiety.