What You Need to Know About Your Inner Turtle

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Indian Spotted Turtle

Curious little Indian Spotted Turtle swimming towards you to say “Hello”

What do you know about Turtles?

This post is a continuation of our series on “Trauma Healing – Lessons from the Wild”. This time we are learning from our Turtle friends.

Do you sometimes feel like a turtle? Like you need to pull deep inside your shell – and stay there?

Don’t be surprised if you do. We all have an inner turtle….

And learning about the habits and movements of turtles can teach us a lot about healing old trauma patterns.

We recently paid a visit to the Turtle Conservancy (www.TurtleConservancy.org) in California and met a wide variety of amazing characters. They were so curious about us humans. Meet the little Indian Spotted Turtle above, for example.

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Here is Daphne from the Galapagos who is 150 years old. She loves to have her wrinkly neck tickled by her friends.

Meet George.

George loves to eat prickly pears and stare at the humans – right in their faces.

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See how well protected he is between his two shells.

George the turtle

Here’s a baby turtle hatchling being held, in the photos below. Look at how perfectly this little guy tucks himself right inside – so neatly. There is the exact space for each flipper and also his head. It’s quite a skill to be able to pull deep, deep inside, and then to come back out when the coast is clear and you feel safe again. We have that skill, too, and it can help us enormously if we have old trauma patterns that need to heal.

Turtle Hatchling demonstrating its skills… IN….

 

Turtle Hatchling’s head starting to peak out.

 

… OUT … An easy gentle cycle: in… out… in … out…

 

Now you can see in the picture just above how the head and flippers pop back out when it seems to be safe again. That is the wisdom of the reptilian brain for you.

Moving right along,Tank, featured just below, is the imported stud and he knows it!

 

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And who’s looking at you?

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Dr Stephen Porges, Neurophysiologist and Research Professor of Psychiatry, has done a lot of research on how the reptilian brain works in conjunction with the mammalian brain, and this research helps us to better understand the healing of trauma. He has developed the Polyvagal Theory as described in his book:

The Polyvagal Theory: Neurophysiological Foundations of Emotions, Attachment, Communication and Self-Regulation.

Many excellent articles can be found on his website: www.StephenPorges.com

Such as:

“Beyond the Brain: How the Vagal System Holds the Secret to Treating Trauma”

“How to know whether you’re working with mammals or reptiles (and why it matters to your creativity”

“Don’t talk to me now, I’m scanning for danger!” How your nervous system sabotages your ability to relate.

The infant’s sixth sense: Awareness and regulation of bodily processes

Neuroception: A subconscious system for detecting threats and safety

The face, the eyes and the ears hold the clues for healing trauma and we work with these concepts in our Natural Facial Rejuvenation Programs.

Find more at www.RejuvenateMyFace.com

And to help protect endangered turtles and tortoises please consider donating to

www.TurtleConservancy.org

They’re doing amazing work in preserving our turtle friends and creating a very safe environment for them.

And when we feel safe we can come out to play!

For the next “Lesson from the Wild – in Trauma Healing” watch Mr. Squirrel demonstrating behavior from the upper “more evolved” mammalian brain at play here:

Squirrel Demonstrating Mammalian Brain

 

Squirrel Demonstrating Mammalian Brain

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Continuing with our Lessons from the Wild – in Trauma Healing, today we’ll look at a squirrel’s behavior.

When the Inner Turtle feels safe, your creativity can emerge. The first step is to get the Inner Turtle to feel safe (see blog post, Your Inner Turtle), and when you know how to feel safe, your mammalian brain can come out to play!

Meet Mr. Squirrel, showing you how important aspects of the nervous system work to help him to feel safe.

Once he feels safe then he can interact with others.

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Please note he is only 3-4 feet away from me and he’s a completely wild squirrel. Clearly he feels safe enough to practice interacting with me.

Note the following movements:

  • eye contact
  • his ears are pricked up, listening
  • his neck moves around as he scans the horizon
  • he’s chewing and eating

These head and neck movements all help the nervous system to regulate itself.

Notice that he’s not in sympathetic mode, which is fight or flight.

He’s not in the extreme parasympathetic mode, which is deep freeze or paralysis.

He’s in relaxed alert mode.

Take a look at the photo below. I’m now approximately 2-3 feet away from him.

Mr. Squirrel in R and R mode

Mr. Squirrel in R and R mode

This is Mr. Squirrel in “Rest and Regenerate” parasympathetic mode. He has checked me out and it’s now time to relax.

He’s watching the world go by, very self contained and peaceful. (And if he needs to shift into Sympathetic mode, he can – in an instant.)

To check out the Inner Turtle patterns click here:

Your Inner Turtle

You will also find links to interesting articles from Psychiatrist and researcher, Dr. Stephen Porges, developer of the Polyvagal Theory for healing trauma.

And for more on Susan Lange’s private work with trauma healing contact her at 310-395-9525

Her new book, The PLAY Formula at www.ThePLAYFormula.com is designed to be a gentle introduction, with tools, for Trauma Healing.

Lessons in Trauma Healing: Comfort Zone and Conflict Resolution

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Black Kitten, Angel, Demonstrates His Comfort Zone

Black Kitten, Angel, Demonstrates His Comfort Zone

Scroll down to the very bottom of this page to watch the real video.

Angel and Tommy: Lessons from the Wild in Trauma Healing

  • Learning Point 1:

    Stay within your comfort zone, your resources, your “do-able range”

  • Learning Point 2:

    Complete the cycles of Yang (getting out there) and Yin (coming back to center and re-integrating)

  • Learning Point 3:

    Different styles of conflict management

Watch how bold little Angel (the black kitten) tries to engage with his larger, gentler sibling, Tommy.

Angel is very focused. He darts out to engage with Tommy and then rushes straight back to his comfort zone over and over again. He makes sure that he doesn’t go beyond his “do-able range” and he keeps contact with his box, his comfort zone, his safe place and his resources.

Notice how he completes each cycle of the yang outward movement with the yin inward movement and he pauses to gather himself together, before he rushes out again.

He is building his potency, his strength and his courage. His nervous system is getting stronger and healthier.

Tommy on the other hand is easily a match for Angel. He is more relaxed and easy going and makes good, safe “target practice” for his tiny little brother.

As children we were often not allowed to complete our own cycles. This was because the grownups had other agendas, or life happened faster than we could process it. So we just had to compensate and move on. This is why it’s important to give yourself the time and attention in the present day, to let old unfinished cycles complete and old stories to process out. Then you can live more fully in the pleasure of today, as old trauma patterns resolve.

Watch the Video lesson on Trauma Healing here…

In case you didn’t know, Tommy and Angel were among 6 siblings who were born in the the wild from a young feral mother, under a lavender bush outside our bedroom window. This series of “Lessons from the Wild, in Trauma Healing” documents their journeys from pre-birth, and is part of our program on Trauma Healing and research with the reptilian brain.

According to Peter Levine, author of Waking the Tiger, the fight flee freeze responses predate this primitive brain.

Dr Stephen Porges, psychiatrist and researcher, discusses the importance of the social engagement system to develop safety and trust and resolve conflict, in his book, The Polyvagal Theory: Neurophysiological Foundations of Emotions, Attachment, Communication, and Self-regulation.

This Polyvagal Theory, developed in 1994, provides a theoretical perspective to study and to treat stress and trauma.

Click this link to access the very first Lesson from the Wild and to meet Minky, their beautiful young mother.

Interview with Ray Castellino: Creating The DVD “Two Layers of Support”

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2LayersofSupport-babyA peak behind the scenes, into the creation of the DVD and interview with Raymond Castellino, on the nature of support for Moms, Babies, Dads and Families…

Two Layers of Support

Creating the Conditions for the Repatterning of Infant and Family Trauma Imprinting

An Introduction to the work of Dr Ray Castellino, D.C. (retired)

Directed, filmed and produced by Elmer Postle and Owl Productions, UK. Interview by Dr. Susan Lange, OMD, L.Ac.

An Introductory Interview with Ray Castellino on the remarkable research model and insights that have emerged from his work with families and individuals in the field of infant and family trauma. It offers valuable information for both practitioners and families.

Available here.

In this interview you will learn such gems as:

  • Why mothers and babies know how to birth
  • How Ray dealt with his own learning disabilities
  • What Moms, Dads and babies need
  • What is a primary impulse and why is that so important
  • What happens when baby feels heard, listened to and connected with
  • Why we need to be aware of our own early history if we’re a practitioner
  • And finally, there is always hope, and healing is always possible

 

It was a fun and deeply moving project, in North London, at the home of well known Obstetrician, Dr. Yehudi Gordon.

Several of us came together to create layers of support for Ray Castellino himself, to enable him to share his vast wisdom, knowledge and experience working with infants and families in the area of repatterning old trauma imprinting.

The interview was conducted by Susan Lange with Julian Lange handling still photography.

A great deal goes into the birthing of DVDs, especially this one about Pre-Natal and Birth Trauma repatterning!

This particular DVD is available not just for practitioners and therapists, but also for families and those engaged in their own personal growth. Elmer Postle has also filmed a very powerful, more advanced series that will only be available for students of Ray Castellino and well known midwife, Mary Jackson, and for teaching purposes.

Here are a few of the background scenes to help you get a sense of the layers and layers of support that went into the creation of this special DVD. We hope it will inspire you to invite and allow support into your own life, so that you too can give birth to your own wonderful creations, babies and more.

Ray Castellino during interview by Susan Lange, OMD, L.Ac.

Ray Castellino during interview by Susan Lange, OMD, L.Ac.

Elmer Postle filming and directing Interview with Ray Castellino for DVD: Two Layers of Support

Elmer Postle filming and directing Interview with Ray Castellino for DVD: Two Layers of Support

Richard, BBC Sound Engineer making sure that the sound is perfect for DVD Interview of Ray Castellino

Richard, BBC Camera man & Sound Engineer making sure that the sound is perfect for DVD Interview of Ray Castellino

Susan Lange interviewing Ray Castellino for his DVD "Two Layers of Support" for Moms, Babies and Families

Susan Lange interviewing Ray Castellino for his DVD “Two Layers of Support” for Moms, Babies and Families

Ray Castellino interviewied by Susan Lange for his DVD, Two Layers of Support, produced, directed and filmed by Elmer Postle. filmed

Ray Castellino interviewed by Susan Lange for his DVD, Two Layers of Support, produced, directed and filmed by Elmer Postle.

DVD Two Layers of Support, Produced by Elmer Postle and Owl Productions, UK

Final creation! DVD Two Layers of Support, Produced by Elmer Postle and Owl Productions, UK

The more we can allow support into our own lives, the easier it is to support others.

This teaching DVD of Ray’s, truly is a must for all practitioners and caregivers, and especially those in the field of pre and peri natal somatic psychology – as well as for babies. Moms, Dads and families.

And to get your own copy of the DVD go to:

http://owl.postle.net/indexpage28.html

P.S. You can see the enlarged picture of this very special DVD on the repatterning of infant and family trauma by Ray Castellino, by clicking here:

RAY CASTELLINO INTERVIEW

Lion and Lioness Grooming and Your Health

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Lion & Lioness Grooming and Bonding

Lion & Lioness Grooming and Bonding

Q:  What can you learn from a lion and lioness about your health? (See video below.)

A:  The importance of the face in grooming, bonding and attachment which leads to greater physical health and wellbeing!

We had a surprisingly wonderful day at the Santa Barbara Zoo last Saturday, with tickets gifted to us by the California Condor Crew. Thank you!

This mother lioness was sitting high on a rock. The lion was sitting far below in the shade of another big rock. Then the lioness looked at us and walked slowly down the rock to her mate…

Click on the video below to watch what happens next:

A gift of love. Lion and Lioness grooming each other at the Santa Barbara Zoo.

The importance of “grooming” in bonding and attachment is becoming well known thanks to researchers such as psychiatrist, Dr Stephen Porges, from the Brain body Institute in Chicago.

Key cranial nerves contribute to our sense of comfort and safety, especially the Vagus nerve. Key Acupuncture Meridians run through the face and also affect our whole body. The ancient Chinese have known about the importance of the face for total health for millennia. When our face feels good and relaxed our whole body can feel good and relaxed.

The facial connection is key to deep relationship health, psychological health and physical health.

We cover this in depth in our natural facial rejuvenation and natural facial treatment, face-lift massage and our Home Study Course in “Natural Facial Rejuvenation.” Take a look for more information.

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