Guest Blog from Michele Casey, TBI survivor and Certified Massage Therapist / iRest Yoga Nidra Instructor .

Hi Everyone!  I wanted to share a bit of my story with you.  In Jan. of 2003 I was hit by a car traveling 30 mph while crossing as a pedestrian in a well marked cross walk.  I was pretty broken from head to toe including a Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI).  I went through physical therapy, speech therapy, occupational therapy...you name it!  It took about a year to get ‘put back together’ physically.  However, my friends, family, co-workers would tell me that I needed to ‘get it together’.  Up until a few years ago I denied that I was still suffering from the long term effects of a TBI.  Anger, hyper-sensitivity, irritability the ability to filter my thoughts, isolating, & depression were getting the best of me.  I was doing the best I could with the skills that I had but I was constantly feeling like something was wrong with me.  Duh...these are all normal behaviors and effects of a TBI.  I knew I needed more tools to help calm, nurture and support myself emotionally.  I found iRest Yoga Nidra.  What a gift.  I am finding that I am more calm, focused, feel effective in my communication and know how to give myself a mental & emotional ‘time out’ to keep from getting overwhelmed and embracing a deep space of inner wellbeing.  

The Integrative Restoration Institute (IRI) provides programs and teacher trainings that show you how to live a contented life, free of conflict and fear, by opening your mind and body to its inherent ground of health and well-being. It is our vision to help people resolve their pain and suffering by rediscovering their essential wholeness and their interconnectedness with all of life. From this place of discovery, trauma and difficult life situations are then met with a deeply wise and compassionate response.

iRest Yoga Nidra, one of the principle programs offered by IRI, is an evidence-based transformative practice of deep relaxation and meditative inquiry that:

• releases negative emotions and thought patterns
• calms the nervous system
• develops a deep capacity to meet any and all circumstances you may encounter in life

Feel free to visit www.irest.us for more information on iRest Yoga Nidra.  

I have been in private practice with “Flowing Harmony Bodywork” since 1997 in Boise, Idaho and find most people are looking for more ways to feel centered, calm and be better equipped to deal with the overwhelming stresses of every day life.  Several clients initially come in for bodywork & massage to address and heal physical aches and pains.  Interestingly, after a few sessions of bodywork, more awareness about beliefs, thoughts, emotions, pain & trauma arise. The physical body pain is often the messenger for greater and deeper levels of healing to emerge. The blend of iRest and Bodywork is a very nurturing process of deepening awareness of authentic well Being.  I became certified in advanced trainings in iRest Yoga Nidra because of the great effects on my life, I am now sharing it with others! 

Feel free to visit www.flowingharmony.com for more information on the services I offer in massage or iRest Yoga Nidra.

"Don't let your mind bully your body into believing it must carry the burden of its worries." 

~Astrid Alauda

Have a Beautiful Day!  Michele Casey  ABT, CMT