BRAVE
B.R.A.V.E. is your map to create lasting change!
This acronym carries power. The power of intention. Intention is the foundation of any change making practice. We are transforming old habits and behaviors, in to new possibilities!
This corresponds directly to the to the science of the brain. We must create a repeatable (brain) map to follow. That map is created not just by using the mind and intellect, but by the whole body! The whole body/mind must be enrolled in change. Otherwise the attention fades, and the normal patterns of behavior return. We want to give ourselves the best chances for success.
We plant seeds of potential while deeply relaxed. For many, being deeply relaxed is the goal! We use our B.R.A.V.E. methodology to go beyond relaxation in to our own personalized health and healing.
Breathe
Learn to breathe the full breath, and access the parasympathetic nervous system (rest & digest). Restoring balance and harmony to the body and mind. Learn how to feel the whole breath, as an experience, which will become a brain map, a neuropathway which can call on in challenging or uncertain times. This breath paves the way for the progression through B.R.A.V.E.
Relax
Release muscular, mental and emotional tension. Learn how to recognize when the body and mind are building and holding tension. Learn to let the body soften, the muscles, the holding, the posturing and protection. Find the simple practices which teach the body what relaxing feels like. We say, "Begin to replace the thinking mind with the breathing, feeling body". As you reinforce this breath and relaxation with repetition, you have set the stage for the real potential of this practice.
Allow
Learn how to self manage challenging emotions and feelings. You can learn to simply watch; events, people, places and things occur in your day, without a conditioned response of fear or reaction. You will have your tools of breath and relaxation already built, and by and by, you will notice how your reaction changes...a little, then a lot.
Visualize
Here we use the power of the human mind to create images, ideas, sometimes using memory to use brain mapping potential. This step in the process of B.R.A.V.E. you can begin to introduce your personal intentions for potential and possibility. We use our visualization, a form of intention, to see ourselves in a new way; healthy, strong, at ease, etc. We can then repeat that image or archetype, to solidify the new direction/intention. Over time this sub and unconscious brain map will begin to show benefits in the areas where it is intended/needed.
Empower
Having arrived at the endpoint of the B.R.A.V.E. methodology we often have a moment of reflection, of perspective, gratitude even. We can feel the potential of this practice, it empowers us to repeat it regularly, or perhaps apply it in another area of our life. We are ready to live a life well-lived. Ready to embrace all of the events that show up in our lives, and recognize that each one of them is an opportunity. Each event, each precious moment, a moment to live, thrive, learn, change and grow. We have our B.R.A.V.E. tools to allow us to meet, greet and remain at ease and relaxed. In the exhilarating highs, and the unfortunate lows, and all in between.
More than BRAVE
While the methodology of Take a Breath for Schools and Communities is complete in itself, there is more. We offer the complimentary tools and resources of assessment/self-evaluation and communication.
The assessment process is key support tool in preparing for the recordings. It gives a pause, which occurs when we must self-assess and reflect. In that pause, we have created a 'break' in our day, a break from our habits/conditioned responses, moods, etc. We can then enter the B.R.A.V.E. recording practices.
As the bookend to the recording practices we offer communication skills as a key support tool. The suggested practices of speaking/listening help reinforce the personal accountability for the changes which are occurring. By default, there is an acceptance and belonging which each individual feels when they can speak or listen authentically. These tools of communication and assessment give rise to an empowered community member.
B.R.A.V.E. Audio Library
Here is the library for the B.R.A.V.E. recordings. You may choose to revisit these at any time. You may choose to listen to a specific part of the sequential recordings again before moving on to the deeper recordings in the audio library. Or perhaps to explore the associated inquiry questions which can help you self-assess, and inform a speaking/listening experience with a supporter.
Click here for the Inquiry Questions.
Click here for more Communication Support and Tools.
Breathe
-Learn to access the parasympathetic nervous system (In charge of resting, relaxation and recovery of the bodies' systems). To help you move out of the stress response.
-Restore balance and the natural harmony which is the foundation of the body and mind
-Learn to feel the whole breath; which in turn creates a 'full breath relaxation response' brain map that you may call upon in challenging or uncertain times.
Each of these recordings are geared to a different age group, select yours below.
BRAVE Breathe - Ages 3-5
BRAVE Breathe - Ages 6-12
BRAVE Breathe - Ages 13-Adult
Relax
-Learn to release muscular, mental and emotional tension.
-Recognize when the body and mind are building and holding tension.
-Learn to let the body soften the muscles, letting go of the chronic holding, the posturing and protection many of us carry.
-Finally, you will now be able to access your built-in brain map of full breath in combination with relaxation, when needed.
Each of these recordings are geared to a different age group, select yours below.
BRAVE Relax - Ages 3-5
BRAVE Relax - Ages 6-12
BRAVE Relax - Ages 13-Adult
Allow
-Learn to remain relaxed and breathing fully while observing challenging emotions and feelings.
-Learn to self-regulate by gaining repeated experiences of this crossover point creating the relaxation response from Breathe and Relax. Learning to Allow prepares you for deeper brain mapping potential in the next 2 steps; Visualize and Empower.
- You will begin to watch life unfold, without a conditioned response of fear or reaction
Each of these recordings are geared to a different age group, select yours below.
Visualize
-Learn to visualize a variety of scenes, images and some memories.
- You can enhance performance, academics, relationships, health, and more while maintaining a relaxation response.
-Visualize yourself in a new way (healthy, strong, confident, at ease, etc.) and later manifest this image at will when it is needed.
Each of these recordings are geared to a different age group, select yours below.
Empower
-You now complete the B.R.A.V.E. sequence with intention and new potential. The completion of this practice contains an empowered success as you have navigated past your regular responses in the body. Those old responses may have been; stress, anxiety, fear, reaction and more.
-You will find you now feel and experience yourself in the world in a new way.
-You now have all of your B.R.A.V.E. tools and can allow relaxation during the exhilarating highs, the unfortunate lows, and all in between.
Each of these recordings are geared to a different age group, select yours below.