Indigenous Programs

The Resilient Spirit: Empowering Indigenous Healing

“The Resilient Spirit” is a program to create a safe and supportive space where participants can understand trauma and develop skills and tools to regulate their mind, body, and emotions, increase self-awareness, and release trauma. Everyone has experienced fear, insecurity, and trauma from our families, relationships, stress, anxiety, depression, addictions, wildfires, or residential schools that have affected our mental wellness and ability to feel safe and firmly grounded.

Our Support

We will listen to the experiences of rebuilding and validate their emotions.
We will promote and encourage self-care.
Support to join community rebuilding efforts and create a sense of purpose.
Educate and raise awareness about mental health.
Prioritize self-awareness in times of rebuilding and recovery.
As we move through each session, we will work on trauma, fears, and anxieties; therefore, participants who choose to “drop in” will not benefit the series entirely.

Participants Will Gain an Understanding of Trauma from the Facilitator “Lived Experience”

When we say lived experience, we mean knowledge based on our perspective, personal identities, and history, beyond our professional or educational experience. We lived experience is a portrayal of our personal experiences and decisions, as well as the knowledge gained from these experiences and choices.
A deeper awareness of key trauma-related concepts.
Understanding and practicing how to release mental and body traumas through yoga and cognitive behavioral techniques.
Yoga practices that’ll help bring a sense of safety, inner strength, stability, and empowerment to the participant.
Theoretical understanding of what happens in the brain.
Understanding of trauma’s effects on behavior.
Trauma impacts memory and tolerance.

Benefits of the Program

Some of the benefits of participating in the Program:
Understanding your trauma from a new perspective lens.
Increase self-awareness about trauma and the impact it has on the brain.
Tools and skills that can help you when you become anxious or disruptive.
Yoga practices retrain the body and rewire the brain to feel safe.
Experience the body sensations and positively reconnect to the body.
Learning to let go of the memories that no longer serve you and release traumas.
Feel empowered in your mind and body when dealing with trauma-related anxiety and depression.

What we do

Application of movement to release the trauma trapped in the body.
To help understand mental conditioning from clinical and holistic approaches.
To help release the mental trauma that is hindering in awakening emotional intelligence.
Learn different breathing and relaxation techniques to release the traumas.
Learn to connect and establish a personal inner relationship with the Creator.

EXAMPLE

Unraveling the Impact of Natural Disasters on Mental Health

Whether the trauma is caused by a single event, such as a forest fire or flood, an individual’s thoughts, feelings, and behaviors are filtered through their experience and perspectives.
We will listen to the experiences of rebuilding and validate their emotions.
We will promote and encourage self-care.
Educate and raise awareness relating to mental health.
Support to join community rebuilding efforts and create a sense of purpose.
Prioritize self-awareness in times of rebuilding and recovery.

Trauma and mental health can impact our everyday life in many ways.

For more information about the program and details, please get in touch with

Stacie Coutlee – scjcec@hotmail.com

We look forward to continuing our discussions, and more importantly, please do not hesitate to ask questions.

BENEFITS OF THE PROGRAM

Understanding trauma from a new perspective lens.
Increase self-awareness around trauma and the impact it has on the brain.
Yoga practices retrain the body and rewire the brain to feel safe.
Experience the body sensations and positively reconnect to the body.
Learning to let go of the memories that no longer serve you and release traumas.
Feel empowered in your mind and body when dealing with trauma-related anxiety and depression.

Participating with sincerity, dedication, and intention will offer the opportunity to respond to trauma with a different mindset.

INVESTMENT DETAILS

We will focus on facilitating a series where we will work with the participants and teach them the necessary practices. As we move through each session, we will work on trauma, fears, and anxieties; therefore, we recommend participants stay for the benefit of the whole program.

Please contact us for details.

SUPPLIES

The organization must provide:

Yoga mats, lunch, snacks, water, notebook, and pens. If not, the participants MUST bring their own.
Screen, projector, flip chart paper, and pens.
Any literature we discuss throughout the program will be shared via e-mail with all registered participants.

Program Co-ordinators

Stacie Coutlee

Stacie is a member of the Upper Nicola Band and a former member of the Chief & Council. In 2020, she graduated with her EMBA in Indigenous Business Leadership and is currently in a Degree Program for a Doctor of Philosophy in Civil Engineering. Stacie completed her 500 hrs Yoga Alliance Certified Yoga Teacher Training (RYT- 500).

Stacie was traumatized by the sudden demise of her one and only brother. She suffered severe panic attacks and anxiety. She also developed breathlessness and acute insomnia as well. With firm commitment, determination, and perseverance, she began the inner journey to learn about herself and embraced the tools to help her heal her restless fears. She took the support of The Happyness Center practitioners and was able to help her free herself from past traumas, including her fears and anxiety. Today Stacie continues to practice yoga principles and tools every moment of every day. She is a warrior in the Indigenous community who not only released her traumas and deep fears but is a great inspiration to the Indigenous women in healing their long-lasting traumas.

Stacie has gained experiential knowledge through time-tested yoga philosophy. She teaches yoga classes and other practical tools such as breathing, meditation, and contemplation that help build self-awareness, foster self-love and self-acceptance, and achieve inner balance. Stacie is passionate about sharing her experiences with the First Nations community, including those suffering from “Residential School.”

Sri Madhu Sai

Madhu Sai (RPC, C-IAYT, E-RYT 500, BECE) is a former monk, registered clinical counsellor, certified yoga therapist, experienced yoga teacher, and a Vedic astrologer. He has more than three decades of experience as a yoga therapist and Counsellor.

He aims to help people develop emotional intelligence, realize their true potential, and discover inner happiness. His main objective is to help clients discover their true authentic self to be self-sufficient enough to heal themselves. He offers Integrative wellness model that combines clinical theories and holistic methods to support clients. He is an addictions and mental health counsellor at ICDO addictions clinic and run support groups at The Happyness Center and A New Tomorrow Treatment Center. He partners with TRU (Social Work Department) in citizen’s science research. He aims to explore new directions through story telling and other research methodologies that empower communities in building and supporting inner resilience.

Integrative counselling and therapy use a scientific approach to implement spiritual methods and mindful practices. He combines clinical and holistic approaches. He believes in the whole person; if one part of life is not working correctly, all the other parts will be affected. He examines the mind-body association, including emotional and spiritual well-being. He combines evidence-based techniques and time-tested eastern philosophy, including CBT, Shadow work, Psychotherapy, and Yoga therapy and focuses on applicable practices.

He piloted several self-awareness programs in universities and corporations and has also opened meditation centers in several countries. Madhu Sai is a guest lecturer at Thompson Rivers University, Kamloops, BC.

FAQs

Common Questions About Mental Health

What Is Mental Health?

Mental health includes psychological well-being. It talks about how we manage our thoughts and feelings, how we handle our emotions for our emotional well-being, and how we help determine the ability to act and deal with stress, anxiety, and depression in our social environment.

What Are The Signs Of Burnout?

Burnout is caused by prolonged chronic stress. It can happen gradually at your workplace or while doing a job at home or outside in our relationships. It may manifest as physical, mental, or emotional exhaustion.Some of the sign to recognize burnout:

Feeling exhausted or drained
Lack of motivation
Increased feelings of frustration, cynicism, and apathy
Difficulties concentrating or focusing
Changes in sleeping or eating habits
Loss of interest in activities that were previously enjoyable
Decreased job satisfaction and productivity
Increased physical ailments, such as headaches, stomach problems, or body aches
Avoidance of social situations or isolating oneself
Use of unhealthy coping mechanisms such as alcohol or drugs

Why Do People Get Depressed?

Depression can include biological factors like genetics, or physical conditions such as hormonal imbalance. Major factors such as traumatic life experiences, social isolation, and loss of closed ones can contribute to one’s depression.Unresolved conflicts in relationships, chronic stress, and low self-esteem can contribute to depression.

Can You Prevent Mental Health Problems?

While it is not completely possible to prevent all mental health problems, however, seeking help at the early stages and taking steps to maintain good mental health can help reduce the risk of developing mental health issues.

Some of the steps may include eating a healthy diet, exercising regularly, getting enough sleep, managing stress, staying socially connected, and seeking professional help when needed.

1. Get enough sleep and exercise regularly.

2. Eat a healthy, balanced diet.

3. Talk to a mental health professional if you’re feeling overwhelmed or anxious.

4. Connect with friends and family and build a support system.

5. Avoid drugs and alcohol (In some cases excess caffeine)

6. Find activities that reduce mental stress, such as relaxation, yoga, mindfulness meditation, or deep breathing meditation.

7. Take time to travel, relax and do things you enjoy.

8. Learn coping skills to manage difficult emotions.

9. Make time for hobbies and activities that bring you joy.

10. Reach out for help if you need it.

How Do People Cope With Depression?

1. If one is feeling isolated or stressed, talk to a trusted friend or family member. It can be very helpful in managing depression.

2. When depressed due to loss of loved ones, then take support of a mental health professional (Psychologist, Counsellor, or Therapist) who can guide you through the grieving process.

3. Exercise regularly. One can go for walks in nature to stay connected. Daily physical activity and movement of the body can help reduce symptoms of depression and improve mood.

4. Eat a healthy diet. Eating a healthy, balanced diet can help improve mood and reduce symptoms of depression

5. Get enough sleep. Getting quality sleep on a regular basis can help reduce symptoms of depression.

6. Practice Discipline: Waking up on time, eating healthy on time, doing physical activities, and sleeping on time are very helpful to reduce symptoms of depression.

7. Relaxation techniques. Relaxation techniques such as muscle relaxation techniques, deep breathing meditation, yoga stretching movement, and mindfulness meditation can help reduce stress and improve mood.

8. Participate in activities. Participating in activities that bring joy and purpose can help reduce feelings of depression.

9. Connect with others. Connecting with people in the community and doing activities with them, as well as maintaining relationships with friends and family can help reduce feelings of isolation and improve overall mood.

How To Handle Anxiety?

Anxiety is a feeling of dis-ease, such as worry or fear of the future. It can be mild or severe depending on how we are managing our thoughts. It is a normal reaction to stress, but it can become a disabling condition when we are obsessed with the same thoughts and it interferes with our daily activities. Anxiety can be caused by a variety of things, including stressful life events, genetic predisposition, medical conditions, or an imbalance of chemicals in the brain. We can handle anxiety in a variety of ways.

1. Stay physically active: Physical movement or Exercise is an important part of managing anxiety. It helps to release endorphins, which are hormones that improve our mood and reduce pain and discomfort.

2. Practice relaxation techniques: Relaxation techniques such as muscle relaxation techniques, deep breathing meditation, yoga stretching movement, and mindfulness meditation can help to reduce stress and manage anxiety.

3. Get enough sleep: Lack of sleep can make anxiety worse, so it’s important to make sure you’re getting enough restful sleep regularly each night.

4. Reduce caffeine, alcohol and substance intake: Caffeine, alcohol, and some substances can stimulate, and increase anxiety levels. So it’s best to limit your consumption of these substances.

5. Talk to a professional: If your anxiety is severe or impacting your daily life, it’s important to talk to a mental health professional (Psychologist, Counsellor, or Therapist). A therapist or counselor can help you to manage your anxiety.