For many years Shay had a sort of mantra she would use before she left the house. It went like this, “Phone, purse, keys!” and it’s self-explanatory that she used it to help make sure she didn’t forget these important items.

Smart, right?

Over the last few years, however, since she’s worked with me, she added an extra word to her mantra/checklist – “ease.”

Now she pauses for, “Phone, purse, keys, ease.”

Ease is a cue for her to pause and shift her thinking and awareness in a way that predictably helps her feel more at ease. She’s practiced this so much it comes pretty naturally now.

Adding “ease” to her checklist enables her to pause and have a moment of calm that allows her nervous system to be more regulated as she leaves the house and heads out into the world. It’s become a pause practice.

Often, we rush to get out the door – we’re running behind, or hyper focused on what’s ahead, and certainly not present to the here and now. It’s stressful. By pausing, not only to go through her checklist, but to have a moment of ease, Shay is able to add a little space between herself and that stress, like a buffer, so she doesn’t take that stress – or not as much of it – with her into whatever is next in her day.

Just saying the word “ease” to herself is enough for Shay to now experience a moment of relief from stress and strain.

Is there something that you do – something that only takes a moment or two – that you know has a predictably helpful effect on you? Maybe connecting to your breath or noticing your feet on the ground? Just a little something to help bring you to the present moment in a helpful way for your nervous system.

Shay and I had a lot of fun making this short video about her pause practice. Enjoy!

What do you want to take with you as you head into the world? And what would you prefer to leave behind? Why don’t you create your own pause practice to use before you leave the house? What would yours be?

Let us know! You could even make your own video if you’re feeling brave – or silly – enough!

Shay Seaborne, CPTSD, is a trauma awareness educator who partners with me to offer workshops and programs for people dealing with trauma or chronic stress.

Shay first came to me as a client six years ago. As Shay studied neurobiology and neuroscience to help her understand and resolve PTSD, she increasingly understood that my BodyIntelligence work provides a very neuropositive approach and practice. BodyIntelligence has become one of her core resources in helping her rebuild and support the regulation her own nervous system.

As we continued to work together, we became good friends, sharing an excitement over the neuroscience that backs up the simple and profound practices of BodyIntelligence and the Alexander Technique concepts and principles that are at its core. Out of this was born our work together.

Our signature program, Foundations of Regulation, is an interactive six-week online course in which Shay’s experience as a trauma survivor and her understanding of the neuroscience relating to trauma is paired with practical tools and concepts from my BodyIntelligence work.

The next Foundations of Regulation course starts on May 21. More information at: imogenragone.com/foundations-of-regulation