Whether brutally or quietly, acutely or chronically, life inevitably brings us some experiences that aren’t solvable problems, much as we love to think otherwise.  Especially internally, they just can’t be extinguished, defeated, fixed, or avoided for long.  We might think of these as problems not to be solved but ones that, paradoxically, must be dissolved.  Where we cannot assert dominance, we must find healthy surrender; where we cannot escape ourselves inside, we must shift the relationship itself; what cannot be changed must be transformed. It’s a life skill that’s seldom even identified, let alone taught. But it’s what makes the fundamental difference in the earlier-referenced adage We either have our feelings or they have us. What we can’t sit with skillfully, we run from — but we tend to take that pain with us. Sooner or later, the apparent solution becomes painful, too.

In my experience, few practices help us work with dissolution so directly or powerfully as the g.r.a.c.e. sequence.

What is it?

The word “grace” is an acronym that spells out the components of Gather, Reach, Amplify, Connect, and Elevate, the basic steps of the sequence.  Taken together to work on one’s own material, the process is at once a breathing meditation, a method for neurological grounding and self-regulation, and a profound practice for self-healing. Many would describe it this as a way to extend psychotherapy and trauma treatment. Many more see it as a way to deepen their meditation, mindfulness, or self-compassion. And many others, simply an especially powerful way to pray when you’re hurting. It is all of those things at once, curiously, and I have found it to be wonderfully versatile regardless of need, background, beliefs, or non-beliefs.

With proper training, the g.r.a.c.e. sequence also becomes a powerful therapeutic or coaching modality for use in many settings to help others on many levels. I have been deeply surprised by how much can shift in very little time through this approach, and colleagues who have trained with me have said the same. Whether we are addressing the pain we hold or the patterns that hold us, this process can make all the difference.

Where did this come from?

The g.r.a.c.e. sequence arose out of a remarkable request more than 15 years ago: A client who needed to move away asked me to put together the unique blend of Eastern and Western approaches we had used successfully together into something he could use on his own. The notion bordered on the absurd to me at first, but he was so earnest and so convinced it could be done that I promised to try. We had only a week before he was to leave.

What arrived when I meditated on the subject seemed too simple to work, and yet arrived in what felt at the time like a “locked file.” No other answer would come, and I couldn’t seem to edit it in my mind to save my life until many years later. When the following Friday came, I had no choice but to teach what I had. Thankfully — much more to my surprise than his — it worked. And worked beautifully. With emails from afar, he shared that he could use it himself to continue and even deepen work we had done together. We recently caught up after many, many years and he shared he still uses it frequently and, in his view, it’s changed the course of his life. I have to believe him — I have found no less myself in my own life and in teaching it to many others.

In a time where stress levels are measured at an all-time high and tragic events like those here in Nashville have become a national epidemic, I see the g.r.a.c.e. sequence belongs in the world, now more than ever.

When might I use this? 

This practice can be used to help us with our current experience (e.g., overwhelm or sadness or anxiety), with elements of one’s past, and most certainly with how we imagine the future. But the g.r.a.c.e. sequence is wonderfully efficient for building our reserves of wellbeing (through building what’s known as “vagal tone” and more), so it’s great to use even when there’s no sense of crisis. There are many advanced uses for g.r.a.c.e.work as well. Stay tuned for more information about those after you have learned the basics.

How can I learn?

The g.r.a.c.e. sequence is best learned through direct coaching or a group learning experience. Please reach out to me if you’d like to explore either, including individual, private group training for communities or treatment teams, and courses offered throughout the year.

Coursework begins with the Foundations 1 course where the Sequence is learned first as a practice for self-care; this is the prerequisite for all other courses. Additional self-care courses to be scheduled soon will include building a daily practice, using the Sequence to support goal-directed work, and much more.

For those who want to learn to use this process to help others, Level One and Level Two begin and deepen that learning. Collaborative supervision is available to support development beyond courses, and specialty workshops are in development with specific adaptations for:

• The Mental Health community, for individual work and crisis response

• Bodyworkers (e.g., physical therapy, massage, cranio-sacral work, etc)

• Physicians and nurses

• Yoga teachers

• Certified coaches

• The Recovery community, and

• Parents

Please share your interest in any or all of the above to receive updates about upcoming availability. Your information will of course never be shared, sold, or spammed. Thank you so much for your trust and interest! 🙏🏻