FAQs Archive - Page 3 of 21 - SmartBody SmartMind

Q: 13. When are the Live Calls?

There are two kinds of live calls: Training (lecture-style) Calls with Irene Lyon Curated Q&A Calls with Seth Lyon There are 9 live Training Calls and 10 curated Q&A Calls throughout the 12 weeks. The Training Calls take place at 11 am Tuesday mornings Pacific Time. The Q&A Calls are at either 10 am or 3 pm on the Thursday of each week we are in session (not counting the 'catch-up weeks'). The exact dates and time of all the calls will be listed on the SBSM website, including a calendar that you can sync with your own online calendar. All calls are recorded and available for replay afterwards, so there is no need to be there live on the call, as you can watch it at a later time that suits you.

Q: 12. Should I do this program or private sessions?

It depends, because everyone is uniquely different. For some people, this program can be all they need. Others may need additional support, including individual sessions with a Somatic Practitioner. One to one sessions can be a very beneficial and sometimes necessary adjunct to this program, provided the Practitioner is educated and skilled in this approach. SBSM is truly a cutting edge program with a unique approach. Many Somatic Practitioners may be trauma informed, or even trauma trained. However, many are also not experienced in the education and experiential nature of Irene’s work. So if one is trying to choose between SBSM and private sessions, we suggest doing this program first. Full engagement in SBSM can promote increased regulation and self-awareness. This can support all aspects of your life, including your capacity to choose the “just right” Somatic Practitioner, should you decide to include this in your personal process of healing and regulation. We often see that clients who go through SmartBody SmartMind™ first get better and quicker results from private sessions, than from private sessions alone.

Q: 11. What if I get behind?

Great news! There is no such thing as ‘behind’! WE REALLY MEAN THIS! Yes, there is a curriculum and a program outline of one possible way to go through the program, but that’s all it is – one possibility. One of the very first lessons is called ‘Follow Your Impulse,’ and that is SO important when it comes to how we move through this work. Even discovering how to feel what our natural impulses are can take weeks of practice for some people. And that’s fine! You have all the material for as long as the program runs, so you can follow your own rhythm.

Q: 10. Will I become certified in this approach after doing this program?

No. There is no certification associated with the program. The program does not certify you to practice this work with others. However, if you are already a practitioner who works with clients, what you will come out with is a huge set of knowledge and tools that can change how you see and work with your clients. Alumni who are practitioners have almost universally said that they aren’t even necessarily trying to change how they do their work, it just happens. This is because when we deepen our ability to connect with our self, we automatically deepen our ability to connect with others. Increased self knowledge and a greatly refined ability to sense both your internal world and the world around you can impact how you work and live, in profound and beneficial ways for both you and your clients.

Q: 09. I’m still a little skeptical. Help?

A little skepticism and confusion around the whole concept and approach of nervous system healing is normal. For most people this is new information! So new, groundbreaking and revolutionary, that it hasn’t yet made it into medical schools and the majority of other trainings. Many medical and health care professionals remain unaware and uneducated in the nervous system regulation approach to health and healing. Also, the nervous system, though incredibly powerful in governing our bodily functions and impacting our health and well being, is essentially invisible. It’s IN us in the form of electrical impulses and the neurohormonal, neurochemical and muscular actions those impulses direct. However, you can’t point to it on a chart and say ‘See, here’s your trauma, here, and also here.’ So, it can be difficult to understand how important it really is until you get into the education and practice, and experience it for yourself. Many past participants have been skeptical and not sure it would work, or that it might help a little but not really be a game-changer, as one of our alumni, Amy, talks about in this video at the 1:32 mark. Bottom line is this – if you feel in your gut that this is something you need, even if your mind is resistant, consider taking the plunge and checking it out! You have 30 days to get your money back if it doesn’t feel like a good fit.

Q: 08. How much time will I need to go through this program?

As much time as you need! Seriously, there is a suggested time table that we put out, but one of the first lessons in the program is about learning to follow your own impulse, and the reason we put that early on is because each person truly needs to learn to listen to their own system in order to determine how much time to put in and when. Some people follow along with the program schedule just fine, others spend the whole 12 weeks just getting through the first couple labs. And all of that is ok. This work is meant to be a lifestyle change - to fundamentally change how you relate to yourself, others, and the world around you - and the time needed to do that will be different for each person. So, that being said, here is a breakdown of the hours involved: Total hours doing just the core content: 34 Total hours doing everything (core content + attending all the calls + doing all the bonuses): 70 Here’s a breakdown of the hours per week by both ‘core content’ and ‘doing everything’:

Q: 07. Who is this program not for?

While it is not our intention to place limitations on anyone’s personal choice to take part in the educational content and experiential nature of the SBSM program, please be advised that this program may not be appropriate for individuals experiencing any of the following: diagnosed severe and long standing psychiatric disorder, suicidal ideation, suicide attempt, substance abuse, or addiction. We have had people from all walks of life find success within SBSM, and if you are uncertain on whether this program is appropriate for you, we recommend you consult with appropriate healthcare providers before beginning.

Q: 05. Is SmartBody SmartMind™ Irene’s own invention?

Yes! And No! Let us explain :) Irene has had a LOT of great teachers and mentors over the course of more than 20 years of study. For her full bio and credentials, CLICK HERE. All of this learning informs this program, so there is education and practice in here that stems from many sources; most notably the work of Peter Levine (Somatic Experiencing), Kathy Kain (Somatic Practice), and Moshé Feldenkrais (The Feldenkrais Method). These three main methodologies form the base of the work presented in SmartBody SmartMind™ and they complement each other. Together they present a holistic approach to healing trauma and restoring regulation. Irene’s gift is putting all these very complex elements together in a way that is easy to understand, sequenced in the right way, and in an online format that is easy to use. So, while the content of SBSM – the video lectures, articles, live training calls, and Neurosensory Audio lessons that you will receive – are informed by all Irene has learned, they are Irene’s unique creation.

Q: 06. Is this program all I need to heal?

It’s not possible to give a definitive answer to this often asked question because everyone is uniquely different! For some people, through dedicated application of the education in this program, it can be enough. Other people will need additional support such as individual sessions with a skilled Somatic practitioner, and/or the application of other modalities that can complement this work, such as osteopathy, craniosacral therapy, massage, nutritional or naturopathic support, or other methods. If you are uncertain on what level of support you may need we recommend you consult with appropriate healthcare providers. One thing that is VERY important to understand is this: no matter who you are, what you’ve been through, or at what level of dysregulation your system is operating, we believe this education and practice is foundational. With this foundational work on board, everything else can be more effective. The somatic nervous system approach is the core foundation of well-being. Another thing to know is that this work is not about ‘getting fixed’ in the way that we often think of healing in Western culture. Yes, symptoms can resolve and health can improve, yet fundamentally this work is meant to be a lifestyle shift that fundamentally changes how you relate to yourself, others, and the world around you all day, every day. It’s about learning how to live differently, and that can bring healing. And like any big change in how we live, it takes time and dedicated practice to really be effective.

Q: 03. How is the program laid out?

There are ten weekly ‘Labs’ which are the course modules. Each Lab has its own video introduction to walk you through it, and, on average, four lessons, (some weeks have one less or one more). These lessons will either be Neurosensory Audio exercises (this forms the bulk of the content), Video Trainings, Interviews, or written educational content. Each Lab also has its own FAQ section, and there are weekly training calls that go with every Lab. There are also a whole bunch of extras that get rolled out over the course of the program, everything from book recommendations to original music composed by Seth Lyon to support your education, personal process, and integration. Another bonus are the Movement Lessons taught by Elia Mrak, Irene’s co-teacher for the Up & Down Workshops. There are live curated Q&A calls every week that new content is released. In addition, you will have access to text-based support from Team Lyon professionals within the program site. All Team Lyon pros are trained in a variety of somatic-based trauma healing modalities such as Somatic Experiencing and Somatic Practice. Finally, as part of your membership, you'll receive four extra weeks of text-based support after we complete the 12-week program proper. We begin the SBSM journey with an orientation period that provides time to get familiar with the program site, ask questions about how the things work, as well as introduce yourself (this is optional) via our Program Site Introduction page.