Our nervous systems are designed to protect us from threats. The stress from our society and modern lives is the greatest threat most of us face. We often find ourselves stuck in a state of high-alert and defensiveness. All the while, our bodies are vulnerable to illness, hurt and decay and our emotions are vulnerable to fear and disconnection. Often our learned conditioning - behaviors, thoughts and support systems - aren’t enough to ease the pain and suffering these forces create.

The good news is that we can transform our experience. Mindfulness is a first step - bringing awareness to the thoughts, emotions, and sensations that make up our experiences. Self-compassion comes next - turning toward difficulty and unpleasantness with loving awareness. Together, mindfulness and self-compassion comprise a state of warm, connected, presence during difficult moments in our lives.  These practices increase our ability to heal, grow and thrive.