This past year was an exception.

While each individual visit from grief varied in depth and time, the shared experience of having met under similar circumstances gifted us with opportunities for connecting on a much deeper level. 

In pulling apart the pieces that make the experience of grief complex, I have found that love and grief are indeed connected—either one not fully existing without the other. 

As author, theologian, activist, and storyteller Stephen Jenkinson puts it, 

“love is a way of grieving that which has not yet slipped away.” 

We needn’t look far behind us to see that the things we grieve, were the things we loved first. That without having loved, we would not grieve at all.  About this most of us agree, but Stephen Jenkinson argues that love is also grief.  As a woman married to an older man and as a mother of young children, I am all too aware of the impermanence of love every time I hug my husband and snuggle my little ones to sleep.  I know this too will pass.  Yes, love is also grief – about this, I am sure.  For me, the Pandemic heightened this awareness.  It was a hard year.  At times, love and wonder had to be stolen, in seconds, minutes. . . Before moving forward on the path that follows the recent pandemic, let us glance over our shoulder at the ways in which the past year revealed our interdependence, our similarities, and our shared journey.

Reflecting on 2020

At the start of 2020, the Natural Lifemanship Institute was thriving—or so we thought. We were leading the way in the field of Equine Assisted Services, and were training practitioners in-person in Trauma-Focused EAP and Trauma-Informed EAL.  Our passion and practice was fulfilling a purpose – we were living the dream.  Truly! 

As word spread of a virus potentially impacting our communities, we believed like many others that the threat would soon disappear, as similar threats had in the past. Yet as quickly as the name Covid-19 overtook the airways, the devastating virus rocked our business, our livelihood, and the world. 

The loss was sudden, the effects longstanding, and the impact, in my opinion, lifelong. As practitioners in the field of mental health, we recognized the trauma in ourselves, and in those around us—and we responded. 

We knew the need for teachers and professionals in our field would increase as more people around the world experienced the grief of losing that which they loved—family members, friends, businesses, jobs, homes, community, celebrations, affection, and more. 

The grief was growing as quickly as the impact of Covid-19, and we evolved in response.  During lock-down, with young children at home, no childcare, and no school, our trainings intensified to meet the needs of practitioners and clients, and our courses moved online to increase accessibility and convenience, as each experience required unique accommodations.  We had to quickly let go of how we taught and connected with our students for almost 10 years and embrace the unknown.  You can read between the lines as you recall your experience during this time, but uncertainty, unrest, fear, and grief touched us all —it was surreal.   

But today Natural Lifemanship provides virtual trainings that meet the requirements for NL certification, and hosts intimate, in-person trainings throughout the country to help ease the burden of traveling in this new world. 

Lessons on grief, loss, connection and community 

The global pandemic helped to support the belief that grief and love are truly connected. 

In fact, grief permeates nearly every aspect of our lives as we move through seasons of love and loss. How do we find joy in the lingering shadow of grief that follows everything and everyone we love? In one another, and the shared experiences we have as human beings. 

While Covid-19 brought with it destruction and devastation, it also provided us with a rare opportunity to experience a collective loss, and initiate a shared grieving process. For far too long, in Western culture, grief has been an isolated experience usually impacting one person, family, or community. 

In 2020, however, the same fears and feelings of loneliness, vulnerability, and loss were shared throughout the world. Whether we realized it or not, grief connected us, and in that there was a bigger effort to empathize, connect, and lend a hand. 

For a moment, we were one people facing the same challenge, and reassuring one another as we walked an unknown path together.  Just maybe, 2020 brought us back to experiencing grief the way it was intended —in community, among others, and in the context of connected relationships. 

A Natural Life: Love & Grief Are Connected

As we continued to evolve our practice and support other practitioners in their own healing journeys, we chose to host a special kind of conference this year—one that acts as an experience for all who attend.  Via a path we walk together. 

A Natural Life: Love & Grief Are Connected is where we make a collective date with grief from where we are on our journey. Designed for everyone, regardless of experience and background, this 2.5 day event will bring together a community of helpers and healers from all over the world, to guide us in the art of grieving. 

We will partake in healing practices and other experiential activities together, and hear from speakers whose expertise on the topics of grief and healing will inspire us, help us heal, and increase our impact on our clients, and in the world. 

Whether we recognize it or not, we are always in a season of both love and grief. 

On July 23rd, 24th, and 25th we will simply come together to connect our grief, our love, and expand upon our abilities to support our own healing, and that of our clients or loved ones. 

A collective grief and healing process

Just as we found comfort in the shared experience of a global pandemic, we can also find it in the healing process that follows. 

As we turn our gaze forward, and walk in our grief towards that which looks unfamiliar, our hope is that we recognize those walking beside us. That we acknowledge them on their journey, feel less alone, and support one another in accessing the endless love that exists within. 

We are all new to this path—let’s walk it together.  

Learn more about the Natural Lifemanship way…   

#1  Take some of our courses.  We offer many low cost, single purchase courses and videos for those just wanting to get an idea of what’s out there.  Many of our courses offer CE credits through NBCC and NAADAC.  Many courses are also part of NL Membership or can be purchased by members at steep discounts.  Check out our courses here.

#2 Follow along for FREE!  We offer an array of free content online through webinars, blogs, and videos – you can do any or all of the following to stay connected and up to date on NL happenings!

1. Visit our website www.naturallifemanship.com to explore blogs and other content.  Seriously, so much can be gleaned from our blogs! 
2. Sign up for a free introductory membership and gain access to educational videos and a new free video each month. 
3. Subscribe to our newsletter to be notified of news, blogs, trainings, etc.
4. Like and Follow our Facebook page and Instagram – we share videos, pictures, articles, and engage in thoughtful discussions.
5. The Trauma Focused Equine Assisted Psychotherapy Networking Group on Facebook is also a valuable resource.  This group is managed by NL trainers, but is open to ALL.  Such great conversations happen in this group!
6. Follow our YouTube Channel for free video content! This is a great place to begin understanding how the relationship between horse and person progresses, organically and over time, utilizing NL principles.  Watch this video first and then follow the progress made with Annie and Abilene.

The post The Unfamiliar Path We Walk Together appeared first on Natural Lifemanship.

It was our intention to create a virtual experience that guided us deeper into our bodies, minds, and souls. Revealing just how interconnected we really are.  

And guess what? WE DID JUST THAT!  

Dare I say, this conference rivaled our in-person events of the past.  It’s true! And here’s how.

A couple of weeks prior to Interconnected 2020, we began to gather in a private Facebook group for conference attendees. This group built more connection than any FB group I have ever been part of.  Daily, I scrolled through the posts with tears in my eyes, as my love for our community grew stronger each day!  

In this group, we engaged in Daily Healing Practices—together.  During one of our practices, we created nature mandalas to deepen our connection to one another. Circles and mandalas are powerful symbols of community, never-ending connectedness, intentional space, and our interconnectedness with each other and the world around us.  

As members of our community created and shared them in our group, we leaned into what it truly means to connect. . . even at a distance.

ALL of the keynotes, daily healing practices, and workshops were life-changing – so much knowledge, intuition, and talent!  I can’t wait to watch the recordings for the workshops that I missed.

As we gathered each evening for our Fireside Chat, we discussed and processed the mornings’ keynotes.  What a wonderful time together. In fact, this time was so moving, we decided to continue our chats for conference attendees, while people are still watching the conference recordings! 

Which are now available until February 28th, 2021. 

Of course, when it comes to our community and Natural Lifemanship, I am admittedly a bit biased, so don’t just take my word for it.  See what other people are saying down below! 

By the way, It’s not too late to get access to the recordings! [Get them here] 

(The price goes up to $999 on November 2nd)

It’s not too late to join our private FB group!  

(You will be sent information about how to join after you sign up for VIP access)

AND it’s not too late to participate in our LIVE Fireside Chats!

What Are People Saying on Social Media? 

“BEST Conference I’ve Ever Attended!”

“I had my first few sessions back after the conference and I believe they were the richest, deepest sessions I have had with clients and my horses in a long time because of the new tools I learned from this conference. I can’t wait to go back and watch the presentations I missed and re-watch the others. I so very much appreciate the hard work and wisdom you all brought to this experience.  It really was the best training/conference I’ve ever been to, real life, virtual, or otherwise!  Thank you so much.”   

• Shannon Marie

“I want to thank Bettina + Tim, and the entire Natural Lifemanship team for putting on, hands down, the best virtual conference I’ve ever attended. In other events, it feels like you are on a never-ending cascade of webinars and it’s so easy to fatigue out.  Totally opposite of my experience this weekend. The mandala making, activity + connection in the Facebook group, and my VERY favorite part, the fireside chats made it feel like we were all together. It filled my cup and I am so energized for my work at home.”

• Ashley Decker

“Even though we weren’t all together in person physically, it felt like we were to me. And I feel that still! This was the best conference, in person and virtually, I’ve experienced.”

• Laura Mengar

“This is the best extensive, virtual conference I have participated in during the pandemic. Kudos to the organizers, and gratitude to them and all the speakers!”

• Amanda Ball

“This was an epic event!”

• Sara Sherman

“Such Great Learning!”

“So much great content!  I will definitely have to go back and listen to recordings – having this at my fingertips was perfect at this point in my life!”

• Krystal Raley

“I learned so very much! The speakers, keynotes, workshops were of amazing quality. I am in awe of the talent and expertise we were able to soak in. I can’t wait to go back through and watch the videos I missed.”

• Ashley Decker

I want to give a big thank you to the natural lifemanship crew! It was an outstanding conference. And it’s amazing… I’ve already noticed a difference in my equine assisted psychotherapy sessions with what I’ve learned from the conference. Definitely making me a better clinician and helping me improve my relationship with my horse!!  Thank you so much!

• Theresa Donoghue

“Loved the Fireside Chat wrap-ups!”

• Pam Salem

“Bravo!! I am amazed at how fantastically things ran! And such a well-blended line up of interconnected sessions! What an incredible team pulling off an incredible event!!”

• Dawn Robson

I haven’t been able to “attend” any of the events this week, but I bought a ticket with the recordings so that I can watch later with full concentration after things settle down. But, I’ve loved seeing everyone’s posts and knowing we belong to a larger community!

• Joy O’Neal

“Y’all are unbelievable and huge love to all the horse participants, too!!”

• Beth Sylver

“So Much Connection!”

Thank You to you this very special group of people who made this whole thing so wonderful!!!! Experiencing you all in person is life-changing.  Experiencing you all virtually was, ALSO, life-changing!!  Is it too soon to sign up for the next one???

• Laurie Johnson

“There is nothing but acceptance in this group and safety. Thank you NL and all members for providing a much-needed sanctuary for everyone!”

• Donna Steffey

“Today- the power of spirit and connection and authenticity filled my lungs and settled in my bones….and I recognized their presence. Nothing had changed outside of myself…Covid was still palpable in the air, injustice was still seeping deeply into every molecule of the planet, and the government was still entrenched in the need for power rather than the power of Love.

And yet, I was able to hold on in a different way. I was able to hold onto connection to myself and others in the profound and beautiful dance that has eluded me for many months . I was able to hold onto hope. I was able to see and hear and remember the divine that lives within me. The divine that lives in all of us.  I feel so very grateful. I am committed to being a part of the healing- in whatever form possible. It is my hope that includes horses and trees and music and movement and art and play…and ALL OF YOU.”

• Carol Hollis-White

“This lovely, closing quote: ‘We are the luckiest people in the world!’ from Bettina Shultz-Jobe will linger with me forever. My deepest gratitude to every single one who made this journey beyond my wildest dreams!  Feeling full of life and love and a new sense of wonder!”

• Beth Sylver

“When I got my #Interconnected2020 Bracelet I cried. I have felt so alone in 2020 and to be reminded with this bracelet and this conference, WE ARE INTERCONNECTED brings a sense of peaceful belonging. Thank you Natural Lifemanship for showing me what true connection is!”

• Amy Nistor

“I have been collecting and adding pieces (to my nature mandala) during my walks each day of the conference and today it felt complete. The message “All parts are welcome” kept coming to mind. My heart and brain are feeling delightfully full as we end.”

• Kim Buller

Even though we weren’t physically together, I’m feeling connected, attuned, happy, peaceful, FILLED and cared for.  Thank you!

• Cindy Martin

“I Finally Found My Tribe!”

“I am feeling so encouraged right now. I feel like I have finally found my tribe. Everything I have been learning with Natural Lifemanship has been in alignment with my values. I didn’t think that existed anywhere else. SO cool!”

• Megan Theiss

“This was the best conference and interconnectedness ever! So proud to have been a part of it and this tribe.”

• Paula Young

“Finding NL was like finding the words for what I always felt and knew in my heart about this work. NL gave me the principles and the confidence that I was on the “right” track. I am so honored to be a part of this community with some of the most amazing + loving + incredible + generous humans I’ve ever met. I also know, for my own health and heart, I can’t ever go so long without connecting with you all again. And I cannot wait for the world to open up again (safely) to attend some trainings in person!” 

• Ashley Decker

“After rejoining this community and learning so much during this conference, I am re-energized. All I have to say to the world is watch out because I’M BACK!!!!!!  

Thank you Bettina Shultz-Jobe and Tim Jobe and the rest of the team for putting together such an incredible experience. I can’t wait to see what the next steps on this crazy journey of life are, but I do hope they bring us closer together again.”

• Alyssa Rowe

“I am feeling so energized and renewed after having attended several sessions of this conference over the past several days. This morning I’m wanting to tune into a meditation and hear another inspiring keynote and enjoy the fireside chat that invariably takes place, so already missing gathering together.  I’m new to this community, having started in the Virtual Fundamentals course in September, but I’m here to stay. The authentic healing presence you all share so freely is truly infectious in a very co-regulating way. Blessings and peace to all of you for a wonderful week.”

• Greg Smith

“I’m a dog trainer and behaviorist and I am just LOVING learning about NL. It aligns with everything I’ve been sharing with my clients in order to better their lives through their relationship with their dog, not pain, control, and intimidation.”

• Briana Stringer

“Virtual was Ideal!”

COVID aside, I probably would not have been able to travel to attend this conference had it been in person. I have so much gratitude for this virtual event. Thank you for the effort and spectacular outcome in finding a new way to facilitate the conference.

• Brenda Turner

As a person who lives remotely (Alaska) this was the perfect opportunity for me to join in. I love NL and would love to pursue it more, but as a hobby attending in person is hard to justify financially. You folks did an amazing job. I can’t wait to watch the videos to soak it all in!

• Ingrid Varenbrink

“I am one of those who never had the camera on. Just want to say there is something amazing about participating in a conference in your pajamas while in bed with the dogs and cats snuggled up. And participating in a conference while on a 3-mile walk and while doing ranch chores. Not having to pay for travel and hotel is also really awesome, as were the quality of the videos and tech support!”

• Martha McNiel

“I so much LOVED being able to attend this conference via zoom! It was so much more affordable to not have to pay for transportation and a hotel room.  Best conference ever! I’m now looking forward to attending the Fundamentals of NL in 2021!”

• Jennifer Sutherland

“We are like the stars. Working individually to shine a bright light for ourselves and our clients, while working alongside our fellow practitioners to light up the night sky with hope, possibility, and resilience”.

~ Bettina and the entire Natural Lifemanship team

The post We Are Indeed Interconnected: What People Are Saying About Interconnected 2020! appeared first on Natural Lifemanship.

In the days leading up to the conference, we invited all registered participants to join us daily in a private Facebook group to explore rhythm, ritual, movement, breath, meditation, and other skills essential to living in a flourishing community together.  

Because. . . we heal, grow, and thrive when part of a community committed to relationship with self and others.  

As a way to connect with each other and with our world, we encouraged attendees to create nature mandalas at home –  I learned this from one of our trainers, Mary Oliver, and love to do this with clients to help them come into the environment that will support their health and healing.  

Those of us who get to partner people with horses to do healing work are often given the gift of space – I like to make full use of the amazing nature office in which I get to work. 

Circles and mandalas are such a powerful symbol of community, never-ending connectedness, intentional space, and our interconnectedness with each other and the world around us.  

We encouraged people to visit their mandala each day and listen to what their mandala tells them.  Maybe add something, take something away, rearrange, etc.  At the end of the week, we each released our mandalas back to nature after choosing one object to keep as a reminder of our time together.  

The pictures of peoples’ mandalas were stunning and day by day my internal sense of connection grew, deepened, and blossomed.

Tami Bahr with Triquestion, LLC shared this story and I am honored to share it with you, with her permission of course.  Thank you Tami for sharing a bit of you with us!  

********************************************************************  

“As I’ve reflected daily on my nature mandala, I noticed every day that the wind, storms, etc. moved things and altered my mandala. The first day, I remember thinking, ‘this is exactly why I was hesitant to put it outside, maybe I should move it inside to protect it.’

I paused for a moment and decided to leave it outside and make some small alterations in the hopes that it would withstand the wind better. The next day, the wind had moved things again, even the rocks which I thought would be impervious to it. But I didn’t think about moving it inside, instead, I incorporated the winds movement and adjusted my mandala. 

Each day after that, the wind moved things and I adjusted it. It unfolded each day into a different mandala yet with its history still present, enveloped into its presence that day. 

Then, I noticed that I too was evolving, each day feeling moved by the conference, adjusting, expanding, shifting. It was today, our last day when I paused to take a picture of the wind’s movements before adjusting it yet again. 

I noticed a bit of panic when I couldn’t find one of the crow feathers and paused to really take in the space. That’s when I found it, hidden under the railing, waiting for me. 

It struck me then that I have been finding hidden pieces of myself all week. Moved by the winds of experience in my life, waiting for me to find them by the willingness to adjust, to grow, to change. 

I recognize the incredible sense of safety that I’ve felt this week from the NL community and thank you from the bottom of my heart for the interconnectedness you’ve created.

My journey continues but I’m filled with excitement, quiet is the fear and uncertainty, instead, I move forward feeling brave today to see where the winds take me. …..”

****************************************************************************

It’s not too late to take part in this life-changing transformation 

we are undergoing together!  

We continue to connect in our private FB group.   

We will continue to meet for LIVE Fireside Chats to discuss and process specific workshops as people watch the replays.  

Sign up for VIP Access, and gain access to 90 hours of keynotes, workshops, daily healing practices, LIVE Fireside Chats, and CE’s through February 28th, 2021 and join our little circle – community – family!

The post What My Nature Mandala Taught Me appeared first on Natural Lifemanship.

We know that Interconnected 2020 will take place online. 

We also know that too many hours spent online without a break could cause serious mental fatigue. 

So, we put together this playlist of videos and resources to give your mind and body the rhythm and connection needed to regulate and learn. They are intended to be watched as “Brain Breaks” during the conference—to ensure the conference experience is rejuvenating and FUN.

Still need a ticket to the conference? Get it now!

Get Tickets

This playlist was carefully chosen to deepen your experience at Interconnected 2020. 

All of these things bring us rhythm––visual and auditory rhythm, specifically––which helps to regulate, organize, and integrate the entire brain. These videos are intended to regulate the most lower regions of the brain so that our brain and body can connect with self and others and are capable of concrete and abstract learning and thought.  With so many options you can “choose your flavor” – we hope you enjoy!

Deep Breathing Shapes Animation 

Rapping Dr. Seuss

Drumming flash mob

Bob Ross painting

Relaxing music and underwater scenes

Virtual Nature Walk

Newsies live on the New York Streets

Wheel Dance

Tongue Drum Binaural Beats

Idina Menzel “Defying Gravity” 

“True Colors” by Camden Voices choir

Evolution of Dance video

Lord of the Dance, Michael Flatly

Anna Kendrick “Cups”

Family Lockdown Boogie

Funky American Woodcock

Virtual Train Ride

Rotterdam Philharmonic Orchestra, distance symphony

Acapella “I wanna dance with somebody”

OK GO “This Too Shall Pass” music video 

Frozen II “Show Yourself”

Redwood National Forest Virtual Hike

Buddhist Monk, The Beatles “Yellow Submarine” 

Jimmy Fallon, found sound, “Don’t Stand So Close to Me”

Hania Rani on the shores of Iceland

Anderson Paak “Don’t Slack” music video

“The Rhythm of the Horse” by Thomas Newman

Frozen II “The Next Right Thing”

Proposal flash mob 

Crackling fireplace

Natural scenery and sounds

OK GO “I won’t let you down”

Kaleidoscope

Rain Drums

We hope that this playlist sets the stage for your inner healing and the deep connections you will build at Interconnected 2020.

Still need a ticket to the conference? Get it now!

Get Tickets

The post A Playlist for Rhythm and Regulation appeared first on Natural Lifemanship.

While this makes attending the conference more convenient, it may cause you to experience symptoms related to Zoom Fatigue—exhaustion that comes with focusing intently on a computer screen for too long. 

Don’t worry…we’ve got a plan for that!

This entire conference was designed with you in mind, and that includes avoiding Zoom Fatigue. We’re going to keep you moving, engaged, and connected the entire time! Here’s how.

Keep Moving

Many of the presentations were designed to keep your body and mind flowing through rhythm and regulation. So we highly encourage you to participate as if you were right there standing in front of each live presenter. Stand up, sit down, and keep moving! This will allow you to stay engaged and invigorated throughout the conference. 

Unplug

This is YOUR time. Therefore we advise you to unplug from outside distractions during conference hours. As we would in person, we are asking you to turn off/ silence your cell phone. The more you treat your environment as you would a conference hall, the more you will receive from this life-changing experience. 

Get Grounded

Our Daily Healing Practices provide you with an opportunity to move, stretch, and connect deeper to yourself and those participating in the conference with you. We encourage you to attend each morning and evening to SHIFT your mind and body’s focus from the computer screen, inward. 

Connect with Living Beings

If possible spend time with other living beings! A person, an animal, a tree––we need others to regulate. Co-regulation is a biological imperative and will absolutely combat Zoom fatigue! If you can, take moments for physical closeness with a friend, an animal companion, or in nature. A plant, a tree, your God…these connections matter so much. 

Bonus Tip 

Turn off your video or use your speaker view during the conference. Only “be seen” when you want to see your body. This can help you to shift your focus away from watching yourself, to healing yourself. 

You can turn off “self view” – turn on your camera to ensure your lighting is good, and then hide “self-view”.

Together, we will transform the virtual experience into one of greater mindfulness, connectedness, and transcendence.

There is still time to register for Interconnected 2020!  I hope you can join us!

The post How to Avoid Zoom Fatigue During the Virtual Conference appeared first on Natural Lifemanship.

This moment lives on because it lives within me – it is part of every interaction I have. I try to allow the connection felt deep in my cells, found in moments like these, to inform every decision we make in Natural Lifemanship…even the decision we made this year to go virtual with our conference.   

If you want to know what to expect from the conference this year, I invite you to sense into this photo and embody this moment in time with me. With us.  

Breathe it in.

Pause.

Notice.  

Slow down.  

Breathe.  

In this moment, feel your connection to our little family. To your body. To your community. To the NL community.

Maybe explore these questions. . . What do you notice in your body?  Where do you feel that in your body?  What is the shape? Color? Texture? Sound?  What do you taste? Smell? Hear? Feel? When you notice that, what do you notice next?  And then next? And then next? Notice it all – around you and inside you.

Breathe it in, because this is a small taste of the connection we intend to create virtually through our conference this year. This photo represents the connection we carry for you and your clients, deep in our hearts, as we plan and prepare. I pray that as you sense into this moment with me, you become profoundly aware of how interconnected we really are.  

Goodness, 2020 thus far has brought immediate, and disparate change across the world, across the country, and across our individual lives. The nature of the pandemic has left us bound to our homes, sequestered from our places of work, of study, of worship, of life, of healing, of community. 

It is important that we acknowledge our physical separations AND fiercely endeavor upon a journey to recognize the boundless connections we maintain in our hearts without access to physical interaction.

2020 has taught us how interconnected we really are

Our virtual conference is a testament to that. From October 21st through the 25th, we will be streaming live daily healing practices, keynote presentations, workshops, performances and horse-human interactions. We are engaging in real time through a digital interface, grounding ourselves and connecting with each other through movement and rhythm. 

We can and we will heal in community, because it is through relationships that we heal, grow, and transform! If you’ve been with us for long, this is not news, but it is during the hardest of times that we are challenged to hold fast to what we know to be true, and practice what we preach.

Interconnected 2020 is an opportunity to engage, learn from the industry’s most illustrious speakers and practitioners, and earn up to 75 hours of CEs available through NBCC and NAADAC. (We’re diligently working to also be able to offer CEs through NASW…stay tuned!)  There are 75 workshops!  SEVENTY FIVE!

By participating in the conference, you will have access to over 90 hours of rich material from a variety of experts in the field on topics such as energetic and nutritional healing, attachment styles, horse behavior, consent, playfulness, movement, and so much more!  

Seriously y’all, check out the workshops, they are SO good!  We have chosen each workshop with you, your clients, and your legacy in this world in the forefront of our minds.

See the Conference Agenda here!

“Natural Lifemanship Conference is a must attend conference! Not only will you come away with a ton of knowledge, you will leave with new friends, new connections and a joyous soul!”

– Rebecca J. Hubbard, Owner, Pecan Creek Ranch

A Truly Experiential Event

We are definitely going to miss being together in person this year. But now more than ever, it’s critical that we find ways to be interconnected even when we’re not physically together. With that in mind, we’ve woven experiential opportunities into each day of the conference.

Not only will the conference be live, it will also include horse-human interactions (including client sessions!) in nearly every session.  We are filming these beforehand given that getting the internet out to our horses is often challenging.  These videos will be watched and discussed during workshops – I’m so excited about this!  

Our incredible lineup of speakers will guide you in real-time to practice embodying healing through rhythm, movement, and connection to yourself and others.

This will be an experience like no other! Truly!

Building Your Conference Agenda

We know that five whole days to attend a conference may not be feasible for all practitioners. We want to be accessible for our community. Therefore we have made the experience as customizable as possible by offering a myriad of workshops and healing practices throughout the day for you to choose from.  There will typically be 3 workshops happening at a time! 

• Through our Community Pass, you’ll have live access to the keynote speakers, at 9:15-10:45 each day. 
• The All-Access Pass allows you to enjoy each live section offered throughout the day according to your time and interest.  You will typically choose from three different workshops – choose what is best for you and your practice!
• And the VIP Pass offers you live access to each section of the conference each day, and recordings of the entire conference until January 31st, 2021, so you can revisit or explore the conference courses. 

Still need to purchase your ticket? Grab yours here. 

With each pass, you’ll have the opportunity to participate and earn CE hours. There are 90 hours of enriching material for you to enjoy and learn from! 

Check out our agenda and register today! 

The conference will be a full brain and body experience – no doubt.  I hope as you read this you were able to sense, feel, and think because that is what the conference will be all about.  It will be special and I hope you can join us!

The post What to Expect from the Interconnected 2020 Conference appeared first on Natural Lifemanship.

When the brain and body develop, there is a delicate balance between integration and differentiation.  Integration is the ability for the whole to work together toward a common goal – with this comes ease, a flow, and a balance.  However, integration can’t occur without differentiation. Different parts do different things – they specialize and get really good at what they do.  This is necessary for our brain and our body – indeed even our cells have to differentiate in order to work together.  This is important in any healthy relationship and an important part of secure attachment.  AND this is important for our little field of equine assisted psychotherapy and learning. We too have to differentiate to integrate.  

Differentiation can feel scary, painful, and competitive, but it is needed for the consumer and for the health of this field.  

Over the last 10 years we have done our best to differentiate gracefully, but unfortunately no one gets to skip adolescence.  ☺ Maturity requires that we know who we are and also how we fit into the greater community. To differentiate safely and responsibly we must always hold space for productive integration and collaboration.  After all, differentiation without integration will also lead to cell and neuronal death, causes major issues in the brain and body, AND in this field. 

At the 2019 NL Deep Dive Conference we are seeking to strike the balance between differentiation and integration as we collaborate with others in this field who are on the same journey.  We may not be on the same path or agree on every point, but our destination is the same. While NL has always integrated many different treatment modalities (and will continue to do so at this conference), this time around we seek to intentionally integrate with other EAP/L modalities.  

NL is a principle-based modality.  NL is a process, a framework, and a set of beliefs – a primary goal is to dig into the beliefs driving practice, which means NL can be paired with any model that honors our core beliefs.  There are so many modalities and organizations in this field that do, indeed, share core beliefs!  

If you’re new to the field and have been wondering where to start, the 2019 NL Deep Dive Conference is a great place to learn from many of the pioneers in this field.  If you’ve been with NL and want to broaden AND deepen your learning, this conference is for you!

Philip Tedeschi, with the University of Denver and The Institute for Human Animal Connection will offer a Keynote address.  Philip has done so much to make the world a better place for people and animals and I could not be more thrilled to learn from him.  Leif Hallberg, a renowned author and teacher in this field, will offer a keynote address and teach a workshop. We are in for such a treat!  Sara Schlote with EQUUSOMA will be teaching a workshop and guiding a retreat. I even get to co-present with her – well, mostly just support Sarah and learn, learn, learn!  Sara Sherman will guide a retreat in which NL is blended with the Equine Gestalt Coaching Method. This is going to be transformative, no doubt! Take a look at all the other presentations by those who are NL trainers, NL certified practitioners and equine professionals, and NL certification students!  My only complaint is that I can’t attend every workshop! 

I so look forward to powerful collaborations at this conference and in the future with many others!  We’re better together! 

2019 NL Conference

The numbers for this conference are limited to ensure intimacy and allow for experiential workshops.  If you want a free, SUPER COOL conference t-shirt sign up by the registration deadline before the shirts go to print.  Registration closes when the conference is full or by September 15th.  Sign up soon!

The post We’re Better Together: Development of the Field of Equine Assisted Practice appeared first on Natural Lifemanship.