Educate The Chaos || Regulation Before Relaxation || IRENE LYON

[@windsordance3698]

Irene, this is truly what I have been searching for my whole life! I have had serious CFS/ME for 36 years & I am now 60 years old. I am a ballet & flamenco teacher & I have always known that even perfectly healthy people do not feel safe in their own bodies. We cannot trust ourselves & that is unconsciously ingrained. I resonate with your work so deeply & will definitely persue it. Thank you!

[@peachesmcgee4795]

I have had the same for 20 years. I feel the same way about safety in the body. The many symptoms themselves then create a vicious cycle of feeling unsafe. I hope you find your way out of this illness and are able to dance again.ps I love flamenco and have always wanted to learn it!

[@alysemader5025]

Talk about serious mom guilt.. I was a mom that had no clue that the cry it out method was not good. My nervous system knew but everyone around me told me to override my instincts. Working to release that guilt and my own trauma so my daughter can do the same too. ❤️

[@IreneLyon]

Hi Alyse Mader, Jen here from Team Lyon. One of the lovely things about this work is that when we do this work, the regulation ripples out and benefits those in our lives (at all ages). It's never too late.

[@hnc1500]

I love your content and your vibe. There are a lot of people who specialise in psychology and psycho somatic therapies that have a lot of textbook knowledge, but do not display the behavioural characteristics of someone who has good mental health and a well regulated nervous system. You have both. I’m a huge fan of Peter Levine and Dr Bessel and I’ve read a few of their books. And your style is right up my alley. I might even prefer you to them. If can you bring out an audiobook on audible, I will get it and recommend it to my friends

[@teamlyon3109]

Hi HNC, Jen here from Team Lyon. Great to hear that Irene's approach and commitment to growing her own regulation are up your alley! She doesn't have audiobooks right now, and she does have a number of intereviews. I'll link to a few in case you want to check them out. Working with the Nervous System to Heal the Mind and Body - blog.dirobi.com/working-with-the-nervous-system-to-heal-the-body-and-mind-with-irene-lyon/ Real Health Radio 111: Interview with Irene Lyon - podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/111-interview-with-irene-lyon/id1028907655?i=1000400655594

[@BethSmyls]

Wonderful to find someone who understands this. Most therapists seem to think everyone needs to relax more, which isn't necessarily true. I have developed a chronic migraine disorder. I feel worse with silence and better when I listen to angry music. I feel worse when doing calming yoga and better when doing standing Warrior poses (and yes, I shake during Warrior). I don't need to relax (at least not yet). I need to process repressed anger. Interestingly, I just measured my Heart Rate Variability as I'm having a full-blown migraine. It says my SNS is super-activated. I've just sat still all day reading. Time for Pantera ;)

[@teamlyon3109]

Hi, Nicole here from Team Lyon. YES Pentera!! It's so great to hear that you've discovered what supports you. And real evidence that our systems need to move through that survival energy before we are really able to genuinely relax. It's also important to recognize how relaxing can be "scary" and perceived as dangerous to some peoples systems. That's why I find this work so great. It supports whatever IS happening. Thanks for sharing your experience :) Nicole

[@jenniferwear3712]

I feel better listening to heavy metal and I really feel better when I go to a heavy concert and when I'm on the outskirts of the mosh pits. I relate to what you are saying!

[@desansiedad]

Irene I'm so happy to listen to you and prove that I'm not that "out of logic" when I recommend our followers with anxiety to feel the chaos, to let the body tremble and release the symptoms without doing anything, not even trying to relax, and by letting the body "explote" the tension, itself activates the parasympathetic system right? we lose the fear of what we're feeling and learn to listen to our bodies in its needs when its asking for them. I congratulate you and wish to have some networking with you, this has to be spread around the world. Irene, by any chance could you have this specific video with spanish subtitles? If not, I would gladly translate it and put the text here in the comments so that our followers can listen/ raed all what you have to say here. Thanks again!

[@ledacedar6253]

I was part of a CoCounselling community that was ignoring RELATIONSHIP TRAUMA IN THE BODY ; triggered twice into full blown trauma lens reactivity -extreme reactions of shaking like a leaf, feeling two few off the ground, vomiting with overwhelming headache! So NO THANK YOU. The critical lens Irene is teaching is we MUST GAIN healing in stages that build our ability to not react back engaged in the trauma pain body- and dysfunctional autonomic NS- Limbic brain. Love your work Irene!

[@leahiamhopesulony4997]

Irene, I'm am beyond words of gratitude for you, your work, and the universe presenting you to me and my family. ~One Love~

[@SunnClouds]

Wow✨! This is such profound knowledge🙏🏻! Pinpointing my current situation (dissociation out of control) as well as describing me as a child; Strangers outside of the 'family' would say things like ; "-she's such a quite child, always in her own world 'daydreaming', how cute". Not so cute actually, had chronic stomach ache, severe night time panic attacks. From around age 7, most weekends I would lie in the same position on my bed reading my books.. not moving for 12 +hrs straight, not eating, not drinking water/peeing (and apparently left to do so). Consumed avoiding irl, awareness. I am fully convinced, of the 100% accuracy of the knowledge /information you share in this video. Though this research / knowledge is miles ahead from the conventional psychiatric care I recieve here in Sweden. I have C-PTSD from maternal abuse throughout childhood, but PTSD from trauma beside war trauma, - is a concept completely unknown of within the Swedish clinical psychiatry. I would be so greatful if you could guide me to where / how I could get accsess to information and /or get tools to learn and hopefully be able to start practice the techniches for healing. Thank you dearly ✨! -for sharing your knowledge and work. It offers great help and is of such profound value . How can I get accsess to

[@IreneLyon]

Our apologies on the late response F. Ellen. Doing some catch up! It so great hearing that this video was helpful and relatable! I would suggest checking out these links below for a bit more guidance on how to go by doing this work. Here's a link to 7 Steps to De-Stress (a free resource) - irenelyon.com/7-steps-opt-in-IL And here's a link to the 21 day program that provides more education and tools (a paid program) - irenelyon.com/tuneup/ Hope you find those help! Nicole - Team Lyon Moderator

[@kristinday4810]

I love that you hav such a supportive team that answers q's...unlike many awesome stuff!!!

[@patrickhall8476]

Very true about enlightenment coming from nervous system regulation.

[@ComingHomeToYourself21]

LOVE LOVE LOVE how you explain things. This is such a great video. Thank you for EVERYTHING you put out there. This information needs to become common knowledge. So crucial to be informed about the Nervous System.

[@IreneLyon]

I couldn't agree with you more! So glad you're here :) Nicole - Team Lyon Moderator

[@Eric-ot7en]

Wow,what a girl! I really needed to hear this, I'm not alone. Thanks it means so much to me

[@Vivianne1124]

Irene, you did a good job here. You explained it well.

[@flexcapazitor1940]

I can’t express enough, how happy I am to find your channel. This information is so helpful, and much needed! I hope this knowledge makes it to general public, because it seems that the current “experts” know very little about this.

[@teamlyon3109]

Right!? Here's hoping more and more people discover this information. Nicole - Team Lyon

[@katinahockney9488]

Thank you yet again for more valuable information. Understanding why we are dysregulated, the impact of early trauma and then again later in life, that it is possible to be regulated again albeit a slow process, is so reassuring.

[@mindful__gardener]

Do everything you would if you were healthy. Slowly move into it. Train everyday. desensitize and Recalibrate. Your ans is at a 10 when it should be at a 0 baseline. Like training a 3 year old toddler. Show it love. Be pateint.

[@a.k.3110]

Thank you. Thank you from my fight and flight and shut down it's looking forward to get a pause. I listened because that's something i learned and have done before. I'm in the middle of the live saving function. I'm out of the dangerous environment but not jet in a safe one. 🙏♥️

[@mariaylonen3111]

I feel so blessed to have found your videos. Amazing information, and so helpful. Also to understand that there is actually nothing wrong with me, my system has done exaclty what it needed to do. Now it´s just a time to build safety around so that I can slowly start unwining the patterns while understanding why they are there in the first place

[@ambie19832665]

I’m so glad I found you! I’ve been searching and searching for ways to stop feeling the way I’ve been feeling. Ugh I can’t even explain it lol. Your videos have helped me so much! Thank you so much.

[@expanding6898]

It is also most peculiar understanding and knowing many of the impulses and needs, but not quite knowing how to meet them effectively(like finding a partner, building the really close kind of community you want)... The need is love, the need is hugs, the need is sex, the need is daily activities with a team of people working towards a common goal - a tribe. Society doesnt fit that frame to me. To me it seems sorta hard to put that in place in the modern world. There most certainly are ways there. Interestingly tough I find they are not many in contrast to how many ways to do the opposite there are. In the djungle :D there may have been other issues.. Community and partnership was not likely one of them as humans would have lived in tribes from scratch -.- Funny though observing all these things.

[@janeeni]

This is HUGE, HUGE helpful insight for me Irene - PIVOTAL!! amazingly helpful gift - thank you thank you 🙏 ❤ 🌿

[@davewolf8869]

My traumatic abuse started at age 3 (According to my mom I don't remember my childhood) and I have had so many near-death experiences, I did die once and was brought back, drug overdoses, violence perpetuated on me, molestation by adults and my peers, I am not sure if there's much hope for me to recover from it all. I might have cancer, in fact I am sure of it, but I don't really care, I have hurt emotionally so intensely for so long the cancer isn't much more than mercy. I have managed to get off all drugs, prescription and otherwise, but I do drink heavily at night just to not be me for a little while, I can go a day or two without it. I have experienced terrible, violent, cruel things that shook me to my core, I am not sure if I can ever recover from it.

[@IreneLyon]

So sorry to hear about your challenges Dave. Congrats on managing to get off all drugs and prescriptions. That's huge. From my prospective, healing is possible if there's hope. Recovering can be a challenge - but change is possible. So glad you're here watching videos and investigating. Nicole - Team Lyon Moderator

[@justiceO8149]

Dave I am not sure you will ever see this comment, but I really felt what you expressed here, and am hoping, alongside of you right now where ever you are, for healing from the chaos that has been dealt out to you - even if not the "perfect" healing, the beginnings of it. This you deserve to be part of your experience too.

[@mariaverdin7632]

❤❤❤

[@donwalker117]

I spent my entire life in fight /flight. Once they are shut down im disregulated since my mother wasnt regulated herself , she couldn't give me what she didnt have herself. This is underneath the abuse. Real help is hard to find. Not impossible

[@IreneLyon]

Hello, Sophia here from Team Lyon. Thank you for your comment and sorry to hear you've been through some tough times. If you feel inclined to work with your nervous system and learn how to be your own medicine, we highly recommend Irene's free resources, all housed under this link: irenelyon.com/free-resources/ Please feel free to reach out to our support inbox with any questions.

[@НатальяВасильевнаЗолотарева]

So helpful and easy to understand as usual! Thank you!

[@Overarainbow-rr1ly]

Thank you very much for your excellent videos. I appreciate your work.

[@kml_zvln]

This is brilliant. Thank you for spreading this message !

[@FatimaZahra-oe6br]

شكراً لك 💕

[@ToniAnnBarandon]

Yes, this is my experience. The Mind can be freed but the body still full of conditioning and trauma (karma). I've had my awakening of the Mind, but then the body stuff became so apparent. And seemingly worse, to the point it can't be ignored. It has to be resolved to reconcile with and be one with the Mind.

[@suzannehala8437]

Hello. I'm a single mum. I have a very good calm facade whilst I'm with my baby through the day and generally feel quite good, doing lots of lovely baby activities in a mindful way, maybe not 100% of the time but I'm mostly very present. When she goes to bed the chaos comes up and then I try to heal or relax. My question is, is my baby aware of my underlying chaos and therefore am i damaging her nervous system?

[@carinford8333]

OMG I can totally relate to this.... Thankyou so very much for this imformation....I am DEFINATELY one f your followers NOW ...I cant thankyou enough........now how do I get better or normal for the first time in my life....

[@IreneLyon]

Sure thing Carin. Have you had a chance to sign up for my Healing Trauma series? Be sure to do that. It started today! And will go till October 16th but I suggest watching the videos as they come out: irenelyon.com/healingtraumaseries SO glad you found this work! Irene.

[@vanessaporter8423]

Wow!!! I love angel numbers and see 999 likes on a few of the last videos I’ve watched of yours!! I just started watching your videos and I looove them and they are so helpful!! 💚🦋thank you so much for sharing!!! You’re amazing💜💜🙌🏻

[@lukecarey613]

I only discovered polyvagal theory a few days ago but the more I hear the word ‘regulation’ the more I seem to be revisiting a state from about 30 years ago. Re-imagining, remembering, but I want what took so long to get this way to be over.. It’s exhausting, stopped drinking, drugs, started exercising, working, modified diet ... but still , one plate at a time, the dishes get done

[@teamlyon3109]

Hi Luke, Jen here from Team Lyon. Nice work taking steps for your health, I get that it can be exhausting. Wasn't sure from your post if if some aspects of regulation came through clearly, so am offering clarification here. When we grow nervous system regulation, it typically gives us more resource and resilience to handle whatever life throws at us, including taking steps to support health. It also helps us to get more benefit from the steps we do take. It really is different from most things we do to support health (I'd tried many modalities over the decades, as have many of us who come to this work). If you want to learn more, I'd recommend checking out Irene's Healing Trauma video series. I'll link to it here in case you want to check it out.

[@lukecarey613]

That is extremely reassuring:) that the more and more I regulate, the more I will innovate my core ability to do my work. There’s something intuitively interesting in this for me, as though I am ‘re-learning’ not just learning. Kind Regards Jen, Luke

[@teamlyon3109]

@@lukecarey613 You got it - it's a whole new way of learning and living.

[@manhwaqueen6061]

شكرا لك معلومات قيمة ❤❤❤❤❤❤❤

[@Paevoensis]

Hi Irene! I am relatively new follower of yours. Thank you so much for the amazing, eye-opening channel! I have severe trauma background in my childhood. I have been in trauma psychotherapy for 5 years now and it is been very helpful. My therapist is very well informed in nervous system patterns. Now I am a mother myself, I have a 5 months old baby girl. Sometimes while watching your videos I feel this guilt, because I KNOW I don't always regulate my nervous system well enough. Sometimes we fight with my husband and I scare because of the memories of my childhood. So are you saying I have already caused damage to my babys nervous system? Or is it enough that most of the time environment is happy and focused on her?

[@teamlyon3109]

Hi Paivi, thanks for being here, this is Seth from Team Lyon. It's definitely true that the more regulated and healthy we are, the more healthy and regulated our children can be. But that doesn't mean that everything will always be perfect! Conflict happens. what's really important for our kids is not that we never have conflict, it's that when we do have conflict, we also have repair. This is actually much better for our kids than trying to keep it all under the rug, because they will feel that and that is even more damaging because it's disorienting - they can feel something is wrong but no one is saying anything. If they can witness normal human conflict and also witness repair and closeness, they will learn that its ok to have disagreement because resolution and understanding can follow. Likewise, it's ok if your system gets dysregulated and activated into survival mode from time to time, if it's in a larger context of connection and general happiness you describe I wouldn't worry about it. Just keep doing your work and healing, and your kids will benefit.

[@thetina8889]

I think I embody combination of over-activation and freezing ... how to deal with that? I am following your 12 week seminar, I hope it will work out for me, as I am 45!

[@AndreaWanting]

Tina, How would you rate your over activating and freezing response 4 months later . I am the same as you. Thanks

[@finsterthecat]

I am curious how you are doing one year later?

[@velvet6187]

Are there any videos that explains what to do, not just explaining neuroregulation problems what most of us already know

[@IreneLyon]

I would suggest checking out a few of the resources. Here's a link to 7 Steps to De-Stress (a free resource) - irenelyon.com/7-steps-opt-in-IL And here's a link to the 21 day program that provides more education and tools (a paid program) - irenelyon.com/tuneup/ Hope you find those help give you insight on what to do! Nicole - Team Lyon Moderator

[@pearblossom1390]

@@IreneLyon ty, I just downloaded it.

[@Kaykay-jh1zu]

I recommend her youtubr video: The ABCs and 123s of nervous system regulation. I was kinda confused about the steps to take but this video cleared it up for me.

[@juliacooley713]

I realize it’s a spectrum but constantly being in a state of survival in the system as the system and the somatic system has ways of regulating I’ve experienced the changes happening in my life.

[@Pulkit164]

Sound complicated really, but you have explained things so good 👍

[@brittannyalexandria777]

Irene I thank you so much for your videos and the help you have been to myself. I wish to help other people learn about somatic therapy. Can you please share any tips on getting educated in this area? Where to start? I find it hard to find much information out there on somatic therapy. Maybe not looking in the right places..

[@IreneLyon]

Hi brittany alexandria, Jen here from Team Lyon. It's great to hear that Irene's videos have been helpful and that you're interested in helping other people learn this work. Irene's programs are a great way to start to learn this work, and she is also thinking about opening a school. I'll share links to both. Somatic Experiencing is another way to enter into this work. You typically need to have some kind of an existing practice first where you work with clients - this could be as a yoga teacher, bodyworker, coach, therapist, health care worker, and the like. I'll link to information about this program too. If you are in North America, you can also search for "somatic therapy programs". This type of program may be available in other countries too, so you might do a search if you're based elsewhere too. 21 Day Nervous System Tune Up - 21daytuneup.com SmartBody SmartMind - smartbodysmartmind.com Somatic Experiencing Institute - traumahealing.org What does a Somatic Healing Session Look Like? - kzbin.info/www/bejne/hH-tmnRpnaqeeZI&lc=Ugyu-733bHUt77RrVGR4AaABAg

[@steffyjustin5108]

Thank you Irene.

[@redblue5868]

Thank you.

[@valzer84]

0:53 Amen!!

[@christheriot2113]

I really like your last name and good talks as well

[@MishaIsha1]

Very helpful. I used to have what I called catatonic depression, where I could not even move off the couch. We didn't have the term nervous system disregulation back then. But, once I started pranayam (yoga breathing practice), I never went back to that level of freeze. Can you explain this? Thank you.

[@IreneLyon]

Hi @MishaIsha1, Sophia here from Team Lyon. We don't generally assess individual symptoms because of the complex nature of this work. Irene's work helps most people heal at the nervous system level, which generally has a positive impact on the entire human system. Here is what Irene has previously said about yoga in relation to trauma work kzbin.info/www/bejne/r2KcZIaJq856gMU . An additional video of a yoga teacher speaking about the impact Irene's work has had on her: kzbin.info/www/bejne/b5Kkp3uFrbOoj5o

[@athenapalma802]

Hello, thank you for this, neuroplasticity is a real hope. Have you made a video on meds, antidepressants.... because they are prescribed by doctors so easily but with all thé side effects many of us take them but dont Know if it is better or worst with them ??? And appart from meds we have the ´´talking therapies ´´ but i feel i have been talking about m’y chilhood for years... and that does not prevent me from having nervous problèmes. Like for example as you say in the video relaxation Is not everything in fact when I get very relaxed just after is when I am the most vulnerable to panic attacks. Thanks a lot

[@teamlyon3109]

Hi Athena, Irene has not yet made any videos on meds, antidepressants. Her general view when I've heard her talk about this is that they can be helpful when the nervous system needs support and/or stabilization as someone takes steps to grow nervous system regulation at which point they may be able to reduce or wean off of them. She does talk about the risks of long term uses of benzodiazepines. If you need info on this, let me know and I can share some links. The work Irene teaches is very different than most traditional talk therapies and it has helped many people in ways that talk therapy wasn't able to (talk therapy can for sure have it's place too). Sometimes when we relax and panic arises it can be a sign that the nervous system doesn't feel safe to let down - growing nervous system regulation often helps with this and the concepts of titration and pendulation can be important here. I'll link to a few of Irene's resources in case you want to learn more. irenelyon.com/4-steps-to-calm-overwhelm/ irenelyon.com/2020/03/29/pendulation-how-to-shift-focus-to-calm-overwhelm/ irenelyon.com/2020/04/26/titration-explained-never-rush-trauma-healing/ - Jen from Team Lyon

[@CalumnMcAulay]

Wonderfully explained and quite a lot at least initially to digest but it makes a lot of sense regardless... the signals that are part of our nervous systems communication network - I assume that the signal itself is always retrievable even if it has been unacknowledged to the extent that it seems not to be there?

[@teamlyon3109]

Hi, Nicole here from Team Lyon. It could be that things are retrievable AND it could be that things need to be pieced together. If something seems to "not be there" it may be that the system is shutdown and/or an incomplete survival response that needs to complete. I would suggest checking out the Healing Trauma Series for some more insight - irenelyon.com/healing-trauma

[@liz.a314]

Are we born with only freeze? Or both freeze and fight/flight?

[@teamlyon3109]

Hi Liz, my understanding is that we're born with the impulses to fight and flee as well as to freeze. If you picture an infant, flee can look like drawing into ourselves and fight can look like anger (scrunched face, screaming, fists, etc.). However, if our needs aren't met when we're in these states, freeze becomes our only option as we can't physically run away or fight to defend ourselves. - Jen from Team Lyon

[@liz.a314]

@@teamlyon3109 OK! follow up question... is fight/flight the only thing in the sympathetic NS? AKA if regulated, does one still use fight/fight to do activities that exude energy?

[@teamlyon3109]

@@liz.a314, as we grow more regulated we can access the sympathetic branch of the nervous system (to play a game of tennis for example) without the survival charge.

[@goinghollow7386]

Hi! Thankful to have found these videos and gaining some understanding! Any tips on how to help direct my oldest daughter through through becoming more regular? She is a preteen.

[@teamlyon3109]

Hi Lucy, Seth here from team Lyon. When kids are still young, generally before the age of 13 or so, the most powerful regulating influence is US - the parents. The more regulated we are, the more regulated they will be, so since she is still young, I'll encourage you to focus on your own inner work as the best way to help your daughter. Along with that - being sure to honour her authenticity and make room for her emotions and experiences, especially when she is feeling angry or frustrated. Just letting her know in word and action that her experience is valid can do a lot.

[@goinghollow7386]

@@teamlyon3109 Thank you so much for your response! I'll do just that. 😊

[@Earthwalker31]

Can cold shivers be a part of release of trauma from the body?

[@teamlyon3109]

Hi, Nicole here from Team Lyon. It's hard to say exactly, but here are a few things to consider :) Cold shivers could be the system coming "online" and out of freeze. What I would invite is to notice what happens afterwards. Do you feel more connected to the parts that shivered? Is there more sense of energy flow? Life? Or are things left numb and feeling disconnected. The more you explore what your experience the more insight you might gain :) I also suggest checking out the Healing Trauma Series for more information on what it means to heal trauma - irenelyon.com/healing-trauma

[@leahszilasi595]

what are your thoughts on hypnosis to help drum up childhood tramatic events not easily remembered? ty

[@IreneLyon]

Hi Leah! With this work, the memory of the event aren't as important. We tend to work with what's showing up in the body now. Those events may not be available for us to remember, but our body remembers. And it shows up in what we do and how we are now. I've heard hypnosis can be a good tool to help remember but I personally don't have any experience with it and from my process (and that of my clients) have been amazed at what I've been able to work with without the memory :) Nicole - Team Lyon Moderator

[@adamatova]

My entire life I've suffered from one trauma after another - without reprieve - I am 58 - and yes, riddled to the brim with medical issues now. I want to save my own life - help. How can I work with you?

[@IreneLyon]

Hi Adama - Thanks for reaching out. Yes, please take in the current 3-part video training series that I'm hosting, called Healing Trauma: irenelyon.leadpages.co/healing-trauma-video-series-march-9-healing/ THen, from here, if you resonate with my message, my 12-week online program starts April 4th. I no longer accept private clients as my work load has become too high. This program helps many :) Here are the details: www.smartbodysmartmind.com/ If you are keen to heal and do the work it'll take, this work will help! Irene XO.

[@rosemariemarotta4188]

I can relate..let me know if you find any paths that work sending prayers to you.

[@user-ip1lg4tz9p]

Very interesting!

[@ClaireDeNike]

What is the difference between body awareness and biological embodiment and stress chemistry?

[@teamlyon3109]

Claire, This is how I see it. Body awareness is the ability for us to have attention on what is happening in our body as well as our body relative to our environment. Biological embodiment is when we are not only aware of our biological experience but we are connected in it. For some we can be aware of what's going on but feel totally disconnected to the actual experience. Stress chemistry is the different states we experience when in an activated/stressed state. Nicole - Team Lyon

[@lawrenceduff7368]

I posted this comment below on Irene's video on how to work with anger. I posed a good question, about the possibility of, when allowing ourselves to come in contact with the feelings/pain we're afraid to feel, of at some point when it feels safe to do so, of allowing the full intensity of the feeling to be felt fully, to flow freely. Was still hoping for an answer to my question, or proposal to consider. See more below. To Irene, and anyone else that it might be helpful (hope she still reads these comments): I’ve been doing emotional processing for years, as a survivor of extreme violent and sexual trauma as a toddler at the hands of an alcoholic (probably blacked out) father. I started with what was called at the time ‘Primal therapy’, or what I call the ‘primal process’ (more about that later). I was watching and listening with interest to what you were saying in your videos so far, as I have been wondering how to be helpful to others who are dealing with trauma and looking for help, lately with ‘fellow travelers’ in a 12 step program, Adult Children of Alcoholics, and others in my life (seems like just about everyone has trauma, to one degree or another). I am fully comfortable with processing the most extreme, intense feelings from early childhood experiences, but can't expect others who are new to being present with their uncomfortable feelings to be able to do what I am used to doing, allowing myself to experience. So, the recommendation for new people to take baby steps in being present with uncomfortable feelings is good, I’m sure. But, my experience is that, as soon as possible to fully allow the feelings, even intense feelings, to move through the body can be safe, because the body won’t bring up more than we can handle at a time, though initially it feels that way because when the feelings were first experienced, at an early age, to fully feel them in all their intensity might have been actually life threatening. I questioned (from my personal experience) what I seemed to hear Peter Levine say, if I understood him, that feeling the full intensity should be avoided, only feeling it a little then backing off. Maybe, in the beginning, but in my experience, there is something that is experienced that can only happen by fully allowing the intensity of whatever the feeling is to fully connect and flow; grief, fear, terror, anger, rage, or other painful trauma stored in the body, because then a full body connection (with the original experience, at the age it happened) and release can happen. But only when you fully cross the line, let go of any kind of control, or attempt at ‘regulation’ and the body/emotional body can spontaneously, fully connect with and release/express/feel the original pain. The characterization of Primal Therapy as “primal screaming” is not accurate, a misnomer, in my experience, though there may be so called ‘primal therapists’ who that may apply to. It is not ‘getting out feelings’ by hitting with a bat, deliberate screaming, etc. In a true ‘primal’ there is no direction of the feeling, there is a complete letting go, and allowing the feeling to have it’s pure, natural, spontaneous expression. Then it can be allowed to fully connect to the original pain, and like I said, an experience happens that can’t be accessed any other way. So, not a criticism, but a suggestion for experimentation; instead of directing the feeling, by squeezing an arm, or any other controlled expression, consider maybe starting there, but then when you feel connected to the stored feeling energy, and it starts to flow, to fully allow that to happen, to trust the wisdom of the body/emotional body/pain body/the Spirit in you to know how it needs to express the feeling, whatever it is. There is a line that is crossed, requiring a full letting go, in which the body, the feeling energy takes over and begins to flow spontaneously, and we just are completely present with it, and witness it, but are also fully emotionally connected. Practically speaking, it would mean (at the point the feeling starts to flow, or from the start), lying down on a mattress (on the floor ideally, ideally in a semi at least, soundproof setting) to let the body move however it needs to move, and make whatever spontaneous sounds it needs to make. Usually a real ‘primal’ (full body connection to original pain) is characterized by talking in the vocabulary, of whatever age the feeling originates. Or, if it’s preverbal, just whatever sounds a preverbal infant would spontaneously make to express the truth of the pain. It will flow, as you said in another video, like a wave (a great metaphor, that came to me as well) that rises, breaks, and then dissipates on the shore. We just flow with it, or ride it, as you said, completely letting go into the experience. The feeling energy may be very intense, or subtle, or anywhere in between, but we can trust that our body/emotional body won’t bring up more than we can handle at a time, and it will pass/dissipate when it completes itself, usually in a relatively short time, but it's best to allow open ended time to rest and assimilate afterwards. The wave may rise again (or a few more times) in a little while before it comes to resolution for that day/session. The fear that precedes feeling intense feelings begins to recede after more experience of this kind of direct processing of feelings. Most people probably need someone to be present with them who can be present with the expression of intense feelings (if that’s the form it needs to take). I started with people (facilitators), but later (within a year or two) learned that it was safe to do on my own, as needed. Would be happy to communicate more with anyone interested.

[@IreneLyon]

Hi Lawrence, Thank you for taking the time and energy to share your reflections and thoughts. I appreciate how your own personal healing path with Primal therapy has informed your facilitation as a healer. Yes, indeed, we all, as human beings, share some experience of trauma. Trauma, is on a continuum. It's important to first understand what trauma is. Very generally speaking, it's something that overwhelmed the system, and creates dysregulation. Dysregulation at the level of the nervous system and brain, including emotional, relational, and cognitive. Emotional processing is only one piece of the picture in working to heal trauma. If all the work is focused at the emotional level, a big piece is missing; that's the the physiology of trauma piece, the nervous system piece. Trauma is not the thing that happened, whether it's shock trauma or early developmental trauma. Trauma is the response to the thing that happened. And that is held, primarily in the body response of thwarted self-protective responses and survival physiology. (i.e. flight, fight, freeze/immobilization, collapse) I'm glad to know you've had useful experiences with Primal therapy. It has indeed lost it's popularity in general, because it is "untitrated" and lacks reliable "containment"; which leads to re-enactment or re-traumatization rather than renegotitiaon. I disagree that "we can trust that our body/emotional body won’t bring up more than we can handle at a time". That's exactly what trauma is! Too much, too fast, more than we can handle, and leaving us without choice. Primal therapy facilities a big wave of high levels of activation, then settling. The differential between the two states is extreme. Like going from zero to 100 and then back to zero. And that creates a sort of "addiction to intensity". Addiction to the differential between those two states. In other words: "the only way I can get big relief is to get really activated". Renegotiating very big survival states, to support transformation of those states, requires doing little bits at a time (titration) so the person can "track" the experience, metabolism it, integrate it, and not go into "too much". It also requires "capacity", which is developed over time and is a "container" that holds the experience, again without going outside the container into "too much". Renegotiating trauma in this way may indeed include a big and powerful experience. But that's not what we're going for; it's not necessary, and those big experiences actually reduce in intensity and duration as the person's system learns to integrate them. I hope this helps clarify, and once again, I thank you for your sharing, Warrmly, Janice - Team Lyon Moderator

[@keithburgess1567]

What about mercury fillings and neurotoxins put inside us ..?

[@IreneLyon]

Chemical trauma is definitely something that can be worked with! Nicole - Team Lyon Moderator

[@Medietos]

Thanks for the SE practitioner website. It doesn't seem to work for Sweden, how do I do please?

[@teamlyon3109]

Hi Claudia, see if this works for you: www.seforeningen.se/se-terapeuter

[@Medietos]

@@teamlyon3109 : Gosh, yes, it worked! I even recognized 3 I have been to before. Don't get it how some get diplomas and are allowed to practise. Well, there are more on the list. only, it has such bad impact to be wrongly treated, affects the confidence, psyche/etheric energy and takes long to overcome. Life passes, time is lost. I suppose I can't be as fantasizing-illusiory trusting, only because someone is a therapist. I have taken for granted that it comes with morals, willingness to really work and help others heal, and responsibility as well as consciousness. thank you very much for the link. Why haven't I found it myself.

[@fifiearthwanderer]

Have you had clients that dry heave to release the built up tension? Its so strange but it happens to me and its as if I release the pent up emotions I swallow down. Then I feel lighter and better.

[@IreneLyon]

Hi Fifi, Seth here with Team Lyon. Yes, this is not uncommon at all. It is a bit hard on the system though, so if possible it would be good to see if you can start attending to the tension before it reaches that kind of intensity. You could start by simply noticing when you swallow an emotion. At that point see if you can pause, and actually invite it to return. Or, if circumstances dictate that it's not a good time to do that, simply say to yourself - 'oops, I just stuffed something down, I will make time to feel that as soon as I can'. Then do that :)

[@fifiearthwanderer]

@@IreneLyon oh wow! Thanks for the input. Yes it is very hard on my system and always feels like I'm broken. Haha. Good to know its its common. Thank you for this useful tip. I am going to start putting it into practice. 🙏🏼💯 love the work you guys do.

[@expanding6898]

This is most peculiar, on the note of hibernation... Having played through many forms of healing/energetic/esoteric practices and works the past many years, I have found that there may be a potential for humans to actually hibernate, although for the human animal so to speak it is most unnatural. Yogis, taoist monks, and whatnot through extreme disciplines seem to have been able to pull this off, however from my own experience I can see that many of them would have likely been completely dissassosiative going up in those mountains for solitude, perhaps running from deep traumas, perhaps solving them through it, or perhaps never doing so. My own current interpretation is that through practice one might be able to make hibernation more a part of the natural state, by habit, but as it is so far away from the innate bodily evolutionary nature of humans, vibrationally one tends to end up in isolation from other humans, which in itself for the human organism I would agree is easily very harmful, also perhaps being part of pushing into a even more traumatized state by that very isolation, which may be a cause for development, trauma can make us stronger right... If there where no possibilities of these hibernative states, such people would not have been able to live a maxed out human lifespan, of say 120 or more years, which most modern humans do not. Unfortunately this whole thing is so rare that mainly anecdotal evidence is found, and it gets hard to touch. Which perhaps is way beyond the capabilities of most modern western humans, to even try to believe in. Yet everyone seems to appreciate the Dalai Lama...! Mentioned as Lamas would be the main modern viewable example of the whole thing... It is most intruiging however... To perform such practices, slowing down the breath and pushing the organs to extents were DMT gets produced in a waking state - from my current understanding a main chemical involved in deep trauma release. In contrast to f.e somatic experiencing and TRE., this way of getting to the bottom of emotion is a forceful way, and could likely have people in the modern world even more traumatized, as it would be top down instead of bottom up methods, and i suppose most modern humans are more traumatized then we perhaps where thousands of years ago, and way weakened by modern life, social conditioning, poluted enviroment and so on... I personally stopped/lessened these practices in my daily life, although they were effective, I will leave them for later in life and focus my human animal first, build a steadier foundation, life in isolation simply gets to melancholic and boring, and although I would like to go in complete yogi solitude a good period some day, I feel more drawn to working the tribal community family aspects first on, as I never had such a steady family foundation myself. perhaps having built one later on I will have the basic feeling of security and grounding to move into such discplines again from a more balanced starting point. Felt relevant to share these thoughts hearing you speak of hbernation in this context, would love to be able to conversate more on this topic, as I find it most intruiguing.

[@teamlyon3109]

I hear you on this topic being intriguing! I'm with you. My attention is on being more regulated human. You might find this interview that Irene did with Chris Dierkes interesting! - kzbin.info/www/bejne/pHOrZKhohLV4iK8 It talks about some of what you mention :) Nicole - Team Lyon

[@linanilssonberglund]

Is there any self-regulation exercise you would recommend specifically for pre-meditation, relaxation etc? I really find your work and sharings interesting and would love to try out some of what I've heard and read you teaching. Although I am finding your content hard to digest right now as I'm at a place where receiving and taking on information like this is possible to only a limited extent. I was then instead wanting to take part in that which is more hands on (the practice rather than theory) and search you channel for guided exercises and only found a few. Are there any out there that I've missed or are you more so using your socials for spreading theoretical information foremost? Thanks Irene.

[@IreneLyon]

Hi Line, Jen here from Team Lyon. Generally speaking, growing nervous system capacity and regulation can be supportive of different types of meditation practices as well as for more access to relaxation. Irene does do a lot to teaching on her SM and she has a few free practices out there too. I'll link to a few, and if you resonate with what she teaches you might also consider checking out her Drop In classes and/or her 21 Day Tune Up Course. KZbin Playlist of neurosensory practices - kzbin.info/www/bejne/iKCzgKB3l5Zjbtk Free Resources - irenelyon.com/free-resources/ Drop In Classes - irenelyon.com/drop-in-class-1 21 Day Nervous System Tune Up - 21daytuneup.com

[@linanilssonberglund]

@@IreneLyon Thanks so much for the links. Is there anywhere I can read, instead of watch and listen to, why regulation before relaxation is important? And I assume that material for HOW to regulate before relaxation is found in the free resources playlist? Besides in the programs and classes I mean.

[@IreneLyon]

@@linanilssonberglund, Jen here again. There isn't written version of this content yet. You might consider using a free transcription service to have a transcript created so you could read it. It might not be perfect, and it should give you a pretty good sense of the content Irene discusses.

[@pearblossom1390]

Irene, how does this work with a person that the truama was sooo severe that you end up with DID? I've had 3 different professionals individually confirm this. I am now working with a Trauma therapist.

[@IreneLyon]

The key when there's severe trauma is to establish that regulation and safety. The more the capacity builds the more the system can heal. So great to hear that you're now working with a trauma therapist. What type of trauma therapy do they do? Nicole - Team Lyon Moderator

[@pearblossom1390]

@@IreneLyon He deals with all kinds of Traumatized people. PTSD, CPTSD, and all the dissociative disorders. He has a huge variety of techniques to use. I know he uses EMDR & hypnosis...but I have not had any of this. We're working on being 'grounded'. To actually learn what is the PRESENT vs the past. I believe if I can achieve that much, I can begin to heal, using your techniques for regulation. And I know there's really no 'healing' that's completed until you're regulated. And I thank you for teaching ME why I live in the 3 states constantly....and that there's light at the end of the tunnel. ❤

[@pedrom8831]

What I still don’t fundamentally understand about this work is how these things are supposed to play out. For example, I have such an activated system, which affects my daily life on so many levels, and my body is rock hard and stuck. But this video seems to suggest that I shouldn’t be trying to relax or calm down because this energy needs to build in order for me ‘get to the other side,’ otherwise I’m just kicking the can down the road. But I never seem to get to the other side. I don’t get emotionally overwhelmed, but the thought that this energy has to crest first just doesn’t make any sense to me. I’m lying in bed, getting no sleep, trying to move through it, but it’s like a wall. And if I try to relax, the video seems to suggest that I’m going in the wrong direction, so I just get confused as hell. It seems completely counter intuitive to me. I’d say I’m very connected to my body, I’m not trying to avoid it at all! But things don’t shift for me, and I worry now that trying to relax is the wrong thing to do.

[@IreneLyon]

Hi there @pedrom8831. I hear you! In many ways this work IS counterintuitive to a lot of the information out there that tells us we just need to relax. Also, though, learning to soothe and settle is a very important part of the process, and everyone is unique in their capacity and experience, so there is no one clear path. There is a kind of roadmap though. Ultimately, these old, stuck survival energies do truly resolve by being allowed to reach their peak of activation and shut off. It really does happen and it really does work - I've experienced this personally many times, and so have so many of our students. The thing is, usually most people's systems are not ready to actually do this. Allowing this to happen means not just being present to the sensations, but also to any emotions, images, memories, etc.. that may arise along with that, while simultaneously being connected to the present moment and environment. That's a lot. So, we need to build capacity such that this can happen organically. This happens when we learn over time to work with these charges - express them, move with them, be with with them, AND then learn to soothe settle, and allow the system to come down. The system often needs to have this experience over and over, many times, before it will allow the full charge, and all accompanying emotions and/or images to emerge and reach peak intensity. Building these foundations and abilities is what we teach in our online programs. - Seth, Team Lyon

[@sethlyon4064]

@@pedrom8831 - yeah, that's just not accurate. In order to build the capacity that allows true completion of the stress response, we MUST learn to soothe and settle as part of that. One of the very first lessons in our online program, SmartBody SmartMind, is about knowing what your resources are, and learning to use them when the system doesn't have any more energy to cross that river. We need to know when to hop in a boat and give our system a break. That boat is our resources - whether that be a mantra, yoga, alcohol, listening to music, a joint, a walk, sitting in nature, a cup of tea, taking a bath or shower, spacing out with a show, a combination of many things, whatever... whatever works to soothe and settle. It's very important to give yourself permission to just chill the heck out.

[@unknown-8696]

Can you help me please? :( i need help

[@teamlyon3109]

Hi, Nicole here from Team Lyon. I'm sorry to hear that you are in need of help. As I mentioned in your other post, I suggest seeking out some support locally. I hope you are able to connect with someone who can give you what you need. Nicole

[@unknown-8696]

@@teamlyon3109 thank you for reacting. yes i have a little but need more support, i do not feel understand. that i need to know its going be ok. I lose hope. Im so alone in this. Can i talk with someone of you please?

[@teamlyon3109]

Hi @@unknown-8696 , Seth here from team Lyon. Irene isn't available for in-person consultations, but she has put together a list of practitioners she trusts, most fo whom offer online sessions and consultations. Here's the link to that list... irenelyon.com/sep-referral-list/

[@maryfrook3566]

I just want to say that as a parent of a now 14-year-old adolescent that I have been trying to help since probably age 5 when I started to figure out what behavior really was what it meant for my daughter. And we just don’t have access to individuals that understand the neuroscience behind these conditions we label as anxiety, OCD, ADHD. We recently within the last year found a provider who indicated she was trained in play therapy and trauma focused cognitive behavioral therapy. But like you keep repeating in your videos this is not something you can conquer in a weekly 45 minute session. And I have found that the young people they don’t have the language to do this cognitive behavioral therapy and it’s very very stressful at least for my daughter to try to verbalize her experiences

[@teamlyon3109]

Hi Mary Frook, Jen here from Team Lyon. Reading your post, I was struck by the fact that you have the awareness to know that some of these approaches are stressful to your daughter. Attuning in ways like this and finding what lessens stress and increases a sense of settling and/or support is so key in growing nervous system regulation. I'll link to a related video of Irene's. Please don't be put off by the title, I share it not because it sounds like your daughter is "behaving badly" but because the content may be of interest. How to help anxious kids who are behaving "badly" - kzbin.info/www/bejne/i5iln5mCepaUqbs

[@anapopadic7003]

Myofascial release

[@ataattosbt]

Irene Lyon based in my own personal experience I strongly disagree one should focus first on regulating the nervous system rather than the digestive system. In the late 1970s I became aware of my environmental sensitivities. Through regulating those exposures primarily by avoidance it has made a tremendous difference. The Brain/Gut connection has become the hot topic of the 21st century to heal leaky gut, SIBO, etc through healing the mitochondria, balancing the gut bacteria, and improving the microbiomes has proven to make profound shifts in human health. When one is physically toxic and constipated, elimination and managing what you are putting into your mouth is the first order of business. Of this I am totally sure.

[@teamlyon3109]

Thanks for sharing your experience Diana. Ultimately I think what's important is looking at the whole picture. There's so many pieces and what angle we approach things at might be different for each of us. In the long run regulation is what we are all working towards. Nicole. - Team Lyon

[@Medietos]

Whats the point of making good important vids if you reject people needing individual consultations? I' m so angry, afraid, sad, lost and sick of wasting my life-time on searching and listening to the right things, only for them then to be unavailable or too costly. for decades. Irene also uses slang-words I don't know sometimes, and that would stress me when not understanding. Maybe if I can get help to stabilize first. i know there is only one of each (irene). Please send Swedish therapist list.

[@IreneLyon]

Hey Claudia, So wonderful to hear that you find the videos good and see the importance in them! Thank goodness for KZbin and the ability to get the information to as many people as possible. If only there could be multiple Irene's so that she could produce content like this, run programs and workshops, be designing future content and programs AND be able to give individual consults. But there's only one of her so she's had to make the hard choice of choosing where to put her energy. There are other amazing practitioners out there who offer incredible insight in this work. Hopefully you are able to connect with one of them ♥️ Nicole - Team Lyon Moderator

[@Medietos]

@@IreneLyon : I know there are, but I haven't found one in 36 years. They want patients who are stable in their present life situations= not too much work, I suppose.Or foreigners with simple war traumas. By simple I mean they were all right before the trauma. Different from childhood abuse. Now I ma too m,ultiple injured, burnt out + sick to search or know how/what. My faith, energy, motivation is...a faint flame only. SOS!

[@IreneLyon]

@@Medietos Where do you live? Nicole

[@Medietos]

@@IreneLyon : In Sweden, Scandinavia

[@Medietos]

@@IreneLyon : In Sweden, Scandinavia. I read about SE and went to one Therapist" who came to Stockholm from Norway regularly. She started the technique without interest or asking who and how I was,Whereas I need and want a therapy relationship, empathy r at least interest and support. Although wanted to heal, I was/am burnt out and too depressed/exhausted to start healing itself right away. I need some emotional raport to want and to get calm/safe enough, and to get sleep , set myself up for healling support and a co-working-unity , team before healing-start. (too sick and tired to think and write well now, sorry). I was disappointed and cheated since she had described and agreed differently from what she actually did.Could it have helped anyway? To just do her hissing at that dragon, without emotional connection , faith and trust in her.

[@ommanipadmehung3014]

You waffle a lot please cut your very interesting videos down to 10 mins