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Why Cats Don’t Get Overwhelmed

Jun 2, 2017

Hint: They Get Their Needs Met…

Somatic Coaching & Co-Active Communication
By Ann-Marie McKelvey, LPCC, MCC

Unlike Dahkini, my coon cat, I sometimes get into the Overwhelm Mindset. Why? I become a brain-on-a-stick. In other words, I disconnect from my body to put projects ahead of my physical, emotional and mental needs. It’s that simple.

She leads a balanced life.

Dahkini, on the other hand, naps when tired. Hunts when hungry. Rolls in the catnip when ready for entertainment. Curls in my lap when she wants to be cuddled and stroked. Stretches out on the cool Saltillo tile when too warm. Nestles into the down comforter when chilled. She goes invisible when she doesn’t want to interact. And is expressive when she wants to play. She communicates well to herself and me. As a result that four legged gets her needs met.

She knows when and how to say no.

Although I can count on her to cuddle into me during meditation each morning, I can’t count on her for anything else. She knows when to say no. She walks away when she has had enough. Knowing what she doesn’t like makes room for what she does like. And she does what she likes! 

She knows when to let go.

When Dogen, her son, didn’t come home she watched through the glass portal door each night waiting for him. She made sounds I had never heard. We both mourned. Then after one month she nudged me, circled me, and literally pushed me into my bedroom. After one month of waiting for Dogen we both realized he wasn’t coming home. And so we closed up the house and slept deeply that night.

Somatic Coaching: Self-Connection with BodyMind

At the beginning of each MCS class, with the Tibetan bowl chiming, we pause, relax, open, trust what emerges, listen deeply and speak our truth – first to ourselves and then to others. We connect with our bodies and minds. We consciously raise the level of our vibratory frequency.

Utilizing the body’s messages, we learn to say “Yes!” to passion, contribution, spacious mind and free-flowing Qi. We learn to say “No” to the Paths of Overwhelm, Too Busy, Too Exhausted. We turn away from paths leading toward illnesses, low self-esteem and disempowerment. The world filled with deadlines, hurry-hurry attitude, destructive emotions, and in some cases a feeling of doom, dissolves as we relax into our bodies and trust what is communicated.

With on-going alertness, the body demystifies and downsizes scenarios that at one time felt impossible to work with. Instead, the body guides our monkey minds to help relax our bellies, our thoughts, our hearts. Peace emanates. Enthusiasm for the present bubbles. Our PresentFuture Self is alive and well!

This month I encourage you to pause as often as possible. Check in with your body. Breathe into any pain or tightness. What does your body want you to know? How can you meet your body’s needs? And when will you do it?

I invite you to share your experiences at the next Mindfulness Coaching Call, this coming Monday, June 5 from 5-6pm Mountain. We will explore the benefits of somatic coaching and Co-Active Communication!

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I really enjoyed taking The Dynamic Trio: EMDR, Positive Psychology & Somatic Coaching. The course provided me with new knowledge and applications of the material, not just to use in my personal life but also to integrate what I learned into my practice as a mental health therapist… I appreciate Ann-Marie setting the mood for the group and laying the foundation for safety, acceptance and openness from the beginning.
Graciela OlidMS, LMFTRancho Cucamonga, CA
The Art of Engaged Mindfulness has been one of my favorite classes at the Mindfulness Coaching School. I truly appreciate how Ann-Marie has combined the science and spirit of mindfulness. She creates space for students to play and get creative with meditation and find their path to practice. And the resources provided for further learning are priceless!
Brenda FaganStudent CoachNew Orleans, LA
This course and experience really energized me and got me invigorated to be more creative in my work and life, and take more risks. That was the biggest surprise benefit of all!!
Harry J. Nozicka, LCSWPalatine, IL
I attended The Dynamic Trio with Ann-Marie at a time when I was certified on all three of the “Trio” (EMDR, Positive Psychology, & Coaching). I was curious as to how these would be blended and what new things I would learn; and I ended up learning a lot indeed. Ann-Marie has a unique style that makes attending the course worthwhile. The applications she offers do have a positive tone when used with clients facing different struggles. It certainly is beneficial to capitalize on strengths through the approaches she suggests, instead of just focusing on mending one’s weaknesses. I find it a “must attend course” for practitioners in the field of any of these approaches (& others).  
Dania Dbaibo DarwishPCC, Life & Career Coach, Psychotherapist (EMDR, CBT, & Hypnotherapy)Lebanon
Stretch” is a good name for this course. It stretched us all to reach beyond what we thought we knew, dig deeply to experience those paths that we will be coaching on, and stay open and curious about everything.
Sandy Wright, MA, PCCMCS GraduateFayetteville, AR
S-T-R-E-T-C-H! Becoming The Incredible Coach You Truly Are presented new and experienced coaches the opportunity to learn, apply and refine life-changing skills to better the lives of people. I learned new mindfulness applications that I could immediately apply in my life and roles as a leadership coach and adult educator. I really enjoyed the interaction, meeting new friends, and the freedom of expression. Aloha and mahalo MCS!
Char WilsonCapeesh Consulting
S-T-R-E-T-C-H! Becoming The Incredible Coach You Truly Are is an amazing mindfulness coaching class that blew the doors open on coaching practices. A fresh, clean breeze blew in that allowed me to bring my whole self newly to coaching. As an experienced coach, I benefited greatly and I know I will use the skills and practices I learned for years to come.
Ann-Marie ArcherCEO, Executive Corporate Coach (and soon to be PCC)Archer & Associates, Inc.
Business Alchemy is the perfect class to complete your prerequisites for certification. I was able to draw from the work that I developed in my other MCS classes and bring it all together into a concrete vision of my business as well as the layout for my website. Not only did I solidify my mission and vision statements, polish my elevator pitch and build the foundation for my website, to name a few, my confidence in who I am as a Professional Coach grew profoundly.
Sue ShibleyACCDallas, Texas
[Business Alchemy was so valuable to me as a novice coach looking to start my own practice. Jim Butcher pulls together all the moving parts and helped me clarify my personal vision and motivation.
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Deeper Than Words took me beyond a place of learning to effectively communicate with others and invited me to heal and listen to my own heart. This course was educational and an experience. Read more
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