Self-Care Practices Inspired by Contemplative
Neuroscience and Yoga (Recorded Webinar)
Presented by Cheryl Van Demark
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Nonfinancial: Cheryl Van Demark is the owner of www.HealthInMotionAZ.com. She has no competing nonfinancial interests or relationships with regard to the content presented in this course.
This course is a recording of a previously hosted live webinar event. Polling and question submission features are not available for this recording. Format and structure may differ from standard MedBridge courses.
Contemplative practices historically offer practical means to promote human flourishing. This experiential presentation will inspire rehabilitation professionals to adopt an expansive view of how we utilize both movement and stillness to promote well-being in ourselves and in our patients. We will highlight relevant research in contemplative neuroscience and embodied contemplative movement-based practices as well as directly experience simple, immediately applicable informal practices. Participation in this interactive learning experience will be enjoyable, engaging, and of benefit to all through its impetus to incorporate practices that improve self-regulation and build resilience.
Meet your instructor
Cheryl Van Demark
Cheryl Van Demark is a physical therapist, yoga therapist, and yoga teacher with a master’s degree in physical education and exercise science. She is approaching 40 years of helping individuals optimize body alignment, restore movement, build strength, and cultivate a balance in body, mind, and spirit to pursue joyful living.…
Chapters & learning objectives
1. The Interrelationship of Movement and Stillness
Language common to contemplative neuroscience and contemplative practices is defined, and conditions of movement and stillness are explored individually and interdependently, then used as objects for experiential practice. Eastern methods of inquiry using beginner’s mind, not knowing, and mindfulness are introduced.
2. Embodiment, Selfhood, and Consciousness
Body awareness, self-regulation, and conscious experience are discussed through Western neuroscience and Eastern contemplative perspectives. Mindfulness practice with the five senses is presented, along with guided meditation for inquiry into the source of self.
3. Qualitative Evaluation of Gross and Subtle Movement
Suggestions for prompting evaluation of movement using interoceptive cues are presented. Appreciating qualitative aspects of movement using the five-part yogic model of the human being is introduced. The interaction of the body, mind, and environment on shaping movement and hypotheses involving preparatory sets and somatic markers are discussed.
4. Building Resilience Via Contemplative Practice
Perspectives on the value of embodied contemplative practices for training body awareness and interoception in ways that promote self-regulation are discussed in the context of factors that promote resilience.
5. Insights to Inform Rehabilitation
Review the possibilities for rehabilitation that arise when we shift our appreciation of movement from a means to an end to a qualitative expression of how the rehabilitation experience has impacted our well-being. Highlight how improved self-regulation using contemplative movement and stillness practices might increase patient engagement in self-care to support health care.
6. Question and Answer Session
This segment is a viewer-submitted question and answer session, facilitated by Cheryl Van Demark.