I've been thinking and talking a lot about joy. Honestly, I've also been thinking a lot about anger, and grief, and disappointment, as I know many of you have. I've been thinking about how this type of chaos is designed to overwhelm us, shut us down, to disengage, to hide ourselves away. It makes sense — we're trying to protect ourselves. But, I also know we need connection, and we need empathy. I know how hard it is to hold the heavy things alone — and how much can shift when we have the chance to feel held with and by others.

In my teaching and coaching, I witness how often joy, connection, and resilience emerge together. When we give ourselves permission to slow down and tune into what’s really happening beneath the surface, in our own psyches and somas, we create space for a fuller experience. And the moments when I’ve felt most connected — whether through shared silence in a yoga class or vulnerability in a group conversation — have also been the moments when I’ve felt most capable of meeting life’s challenges. It reminds me that resilience isn’t about going it alone; it’s about being resourced enough to lean on others and trust in ourselves.

I’m also learning that joy (and therefore resilience) isn’t something we wait for — it’s a practice. It’s choosing to notice the small glimmers of light even when things feel uncertain. The sound of birds, a shared laugh in a heavy moment, the steadiness of breath, the quiet relief of being seen — these are forms of joy too. Joy doesn’t erase or bypass chaos, but it gives us a way to meet it with more steadiness. And when we practice in community — learning from each other’s experiences, offering support, and feeling both witnessed and held — we create for ourselves a sense of safety, dignity, and belonging. It’s something I’m continuing to explore in my own work and life, and I’m curious where these threads are showing up for you too.

Group Somatic Coaching

This is exactly why I’m so passionate about group coaching. In a small, supportive group, we get to practice these qualities together — learning from each other’s experiences, offering support, and building the kind of resilience that comes from feeling connected to both ourselves and others. My next group coaching cohort is starting soon, and if you’ve been wanting to explore your ability to be self-led, deepen your sense of purpose, or simply learn skills and practices for self-regulation, I would love to have you there. You can sign up for this week's info session here.

Somatic Practice for Joy

We are hardwired for negativity and threat, so we have to practice holding onto joy and connection for it to "stick". This practice helps train your nervous system to register and hold positive sensations, expanding your capacity for joy even during challenging times.

• Find a comfortable seated or standing position, soften your gaze, and let your breath settle.
• Bring to mind a recent moment of joy — it could be something small, like a laugh with a friend, the warmth of sunlight on your face, or the taste of something delicious. Let the memory settle in your body, and notice any sensations that arise. Stay with it for a few breaths, allowing your body to absorb the feeling.
• Now, open your eyes and slowly look around the space you’re in. Without seeking or forcing it, let your attention gently land on something that sparks even a hint of joy — maybe a color, a texture, the feeling of air on your skin, or a sense of quiet. Notice how it feels in your body — does your breath shift, your shoulders soften, your chest expand? Stay with that feeling for a few breaths, letting it settle, orienting to safety.
• Anchor the feeling: with a hand on your heart or your belly, take a few slow breaths, noticing the feeling of connection between your hand and your body, and reminding yourself that joy can be practiced — that you can return to this feeling anytime.
• If it feels right, you can take a moment to jot down what you noticed: What did joy feel like in your body? How might you stay open to noticing more moments like this throughout your day?