Internal Family Systems

Internal Family Systems (IFS) is a more recent tool in my toolbox. Over several years, I immersed myself in trainings and eventually became certified both as an IFS Practitioner and a Somatic IFS Practitioner (SIFS). As I delved more deeply, I fell in love with the model and the ways it can be integrated into yoga therapy. IFS is an approach to psychotherapy that is also used by practitioners in various healing disciplines.  SIFS offers a deeper embodiment. Both offer a framework and process that complement yoga and yoga nidra in a beautiful way. 

An Internal Family Systems approach is a complement to Yoga Therapy

Have you ever had to make a decision where part of you wanted one thing, and part of you wanted another? IFS provides us a way to get to know these parts; our different aspects that make up who we are.  As we open to our internal world with curiosity and compassion, we get to know ourselves even more.  Over time, we can come to welcome all of our parts, and even those of others.  This even helps us in our relationships and activities in the world.

The IFS process is a perfect complement to yoga therapy, especially the practice of meditative self-inquiry.  As we inquire into these parts of ourselves, we also become aware of that which is aware of the parts.  This Self Essence is that within us that is whole and complete, just as we are.  From the Self, we can witness and come into our relationship with our parts.  Parts can learn to trust the Self for guidance and leadership, coming into collaboration for a richer, more integrated life. This understanding opens us to the possibility that we are inherent goodness, part of a larger wholeness that is more vast than our selves.  There is nothing to fix or push away, even our resistance is welcome.  

This exploration can be woven into our yoga practices, whether they be yoga movement, co-meditation, and/or yoga nidra.  Each supports the other, offering the possibility of deeper healing, resilience, and more ease in life.