#1 Resource: YOU via Self-Study
I learned a lot about the body, mind, emotional system—lots of aspects of my human nature–– in my Bikram Yoga practice. Then I went to school to become a mental health counselor and took courses in Theory and Trauma where I found all kinds of scientific and psychological labels for what I already learned that what was happening in my mind-body-emotional system through my self-study in Yoga practice and mindfulness habits.
It makes me SO hopeful knowing that if I could learn about my nature, my mind and body and my emotional life and more, on my own, without anyone telling me what to look for or how to name my human experiences, that YOU can too!
If, like me, you are curious and perhaps would like validation or confirmation about your self-discoveries in your self-study, then you will appreciate the resources below about Yoga, the nervous system, emotional brain and much more. If validation contributes to your inspiration and motivation to continue with self-study and you feel less alone in your struggle to be human, then go for it! However, as I also continue to warn people taking this course, be very careful you don’t end up down a rabbit hole to the point that it becomes a distraction from self-study. Try to notice if you stop listening to yourself and making your own discoveries organically, and simply reorient yourself to traveling within and try, try again.
Mind-Body Resources
A list of resources exists in the References section of my book, The Classic Wisdom for the Modern Human: A Self-Study Guide for Wellness. (2019, Amazon). In addition to this list, I found during my graduate studies in counseling psychology and through my own online research interests in Humanistic psychology and body-psychology the resources listed below:
All resources Yoga and interoception-related available @ TheHumanisticHelper.com (coming soon if not there already!)
Landscapes for Learning Self-Awareness Youtube playlist
Contains many self-awareness-related videos I watched and want to share with you. I continue to add resources to this playlist.
Dr. Stephen Porges explains his Polyvagal Theory & Neuroception
Irene Lyon’s Youtube channel and website
Understanding your nervous system & Irene’s explanation of the Polyvagal Theory
What happens when you let your body takeover when practicing mindfulness
Marcia Linehan’s Mindfulness-based, DBT
Steven Hayes’ Mindfulness-based, ACT.
Bessel van der Kolk’s The Body Keeps the Score: Brain, mind, and body in the healing of trauma (Amazon)
Dr. Gabor Mate (videos and books); How emotions affect our cognitive functioning
Jordan B. Peterson’s Course on Personality & his website.
Ledoux, J. (1996). The Emotional Brain: The Mysterious Underpinnings of Emotional Life.
Jung, C.G. (1955). Modern Man in Search of a Soul.
Kabat- Zinn, J. (2013). Full Catastrophe Living: Use the Wisdom of Your Body and Mind to Face Stress, Pain, and Illness.
Iyengar, B.K.S. (2005). Light on Life: The Yoga Journey to Wholeness, Inner Peace, and Ultimate Freedom.
Harari, Y. (2018). 21 Lessons for the 21st Century.
Hahn, T.N. (2002). Be Free Where You Are. and his website.
Grant, A. (2018, March 1). People Don’t Actually Know Themselves Very Well. The Atlantic.
Abraham Maslow’s The Farthest Reaches of Human Nature, and Toward a Psychology of Being.
Ian McGilcrist’s The Master and the Emissary: The Divided Brain and the Making of the Western World (Amazon) and link to his documentary.
U.S. Association forBody Psychotherapy website (the hub of somatic psychology)
Embodied Philosophy website (offers courses)
Sleep, Matthew Walker
Neurobiologist on focus, movement as medicine, and the brain, Dr. Andrew Huberman
Nutrition Info (MANY guests on this podcast related to nutrition and mind-body-spirit wellness)
