Blog Posts
How Nervous System Healing Helped Me Move From Anxiety to Ease
What Is Vitalism and Why Does It Matter?
Have you ever wondered why we cannot fully understand someone's mood, pain, or even digestion from simply looking at one system of the body?
Vitalism says that the whole is greater than the sum of it's parts. In essence, a living being is not just a mechanical sum of cells, organs, and systems—but is animated by a vital force or innate intelligence that organizes and guides life.
In dis-ease this intelligence distorts itself in an effort to understand the input of life, and in healing this intelligence reorganizes itself through release, reconnection, and nerve system recalibration.
My First Experience With Nervous System Recalibration
I had just begun to understand these concepts while under the care of a gentle intuitive chiropractor during graduate school. At that time, I was pretty uncomfortable in my own skin, anxiety was a baseline and high tension was the norm. Each nervous system healing session was a push and pull between deeper breaths and the discomfort. It took me several months to begin to experience a new reality where longer exhales and a more relaxed outlook were suddenly surprisingly common.
A Life-Changing Trip That Shifted My Path
After about a year, I truly felt like a different person. I not only seemed to recalibrate after lifelong anxiety to ease but shook off the compounded stress of graduate school and started to remember my dreams, the real ones that led me there soul-first to begin with. This was around the time that I was introduced to one of my mentors, Sukhi Muker, read his book, Beyond Body, Beyond Mind and was invited onto a humanitarian trip where I met him and other practitioners offering this style of care in person.
This trip was incredible impactful, it blew my heart open serving underprivileged communities, and it was a speedy track to personal/spiritual development and personal evolution.
There was a moment where the experienced practitioners offered us hands-on healing. While I lay on the table one afternoon with my eyes closed I felt a contact made on my left foot that was like lightening jolt. It felt like my entire system shifted and re-organized around this point. I later got the chance to ask my practitioner what this was, I was told it was a "pillar" pattern, essentially the culmination of not just one pattern that was ready to process and integrate but a sum of about 20 patterns that were collapsed as dormant energy and now set in motion for greater flow of my energy, communication, and overall vitality.
The Birth of Heart of Life
From that moment on the week proceeded to be life changing for me, from the heartfelt journaling, service from my own hands, receiving hands-on integration, and truly prioritizing my vitality. I made powerful intentions that shifted the course of my life that week.
When returning back to my current reality, I felt a bit as if I had outgrown it, in just a matter of seven days.
I had to make some hard choices to let things go and move on, and I got to start working on my actual deep seeded dreams - one of which is Heart of Life, as you know it today.
Your Invitation to Reconnect With Your Vitality
I share this to inspire and spark the glimpses of hope, healing, and dreams in you.
While everybody's path is unique, we each share special gifts that are innate to only us. I believe it's our job to uncover them, to be the best we can be.
I've been working on relaunching my course with foundational concepts I learned on this trip and took forward into my life over the coming years. The principles inside are both the groundwork that allowed me stability, and a foundation to take life in a new direction, as well as the baseline that I return to again and again throughout my life.
I have had the pleasure of sharing this course with folks in the past and have really enjoyed witnessing those that are brand new to this process lay a solid foundation, and those experienced in it to receive gems and fine tune their process exponentially enhancing their vitality.
*More details coming your way soon*
Wherever you are this week, bring all of yourself to the table this week, let's connect the parts both past and present and enhance the whole of who you are so you can shine.
Ready to explore your own path of reconnection and vitality? Sign up for my newsletter or stay tuned for details on my upcoming course.
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With love & appreciation,
Dr. Jessica
How Past Trauma Can Show Up as Physical Tension in the Body
Why Old Trauma Can Show Up as New Pain
A Personal Example: Cranial Tension and Breastfeeding Memory
A few weeks after our positive pregnancy test with baby number two, I started to experience an intense jaw and cranial discomfort (tension pattern). Perhaps in another life, without my awareness of how the nervous system works, I would've thought it seemly came out of nowhere.
However, because I view our bodies as a brilliant storage chest full of both growth and experience, as well as unprocessed events that were simply too much to handle at one point in time, I felt a familiar resonance with this tension pattern. It drew me right back to early breastfeeding days with my son. For us, it was a bit of a challenging start, I remember tears from discomfort and receiving less sleep meant I carried the anticipatory tension more than I would've prior to a broken sleep cycle.
Healing by Feeling: Moving From Reaction to Integration
With this flood of information I was able to see this tension pattern for what it is. An opportunity to reprocess the stress my body was carrying, a chance to re-pattern so that I can live from the present moment with this next little one instead of repeating the pain of the past.
Without this awareness, it's really common for folks to spiral into stories of aging, chronic pain patterns, and living from the lens of the past.
There is absolutely nothing wrong with this, it's simply not the entire picture!
Somatic Healing Tools: What You Can Try This Week
This week, I invite you to explore where something you experience present day may be tied to a part of you in the past. It could be anything from distress in a close relationship, to tension patterns, to playing small to due to a past traumatic experience. How may you be repeating the cycle versus processing through it for good?
Even I witnessed some apprehension around my tension pattern when it came to the surface, hearing a voice of fear that "this may be my future again." Then I gracefully decided to move past it, to embrace the feelings, fears, and make space to integrate - to become whole with them. Although I know the trajectory of integrative healing well, I still didn't hold any expectations on myself or the discomfort I experienced. I simply allowed myself to be present with the process of feeling, witnessing the beliefs I held, and eventually granting my nervous system new direction.
In time this pattern dissolved completely, and gave me new spacious capacity and awareness to explore my present reality and new experiences.
If you’ve been noticing physical patterns that feel emotionally or energetically familiar, I’d love to support you in unpacking them gently. Learn more about care options at Heart of Life, or reach out to connect one-on-one.
Let’s embrace the power of our own internal healing capacity and open new possibilities.
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With love & appreciation,
Dr. Jessica
Trust what’s inside
I've has this new little ritual with my son over the spring season, whilst sitting in our front yard we'll pick flowers for a 'flower blessing spray' we craft (Shout out to Tami Kent and her book, Mothering from your Center, where we got the idea).
As a part of the creative process, we infuse our blessing spray with intention or prayers. When I asked my 4.5 year old son what he'd like to infuse this blessing spray with, and he replied "I am grateful to be me!"
Later, I looked up the qualities behind the California Poppy that he has picked and read from flower essence society: "Positive qualities: ability to be with oneself despite pain, discomfort or anxiety; knowing the source of light and warmth within oneself; radiant heart-centered spirituality."
I was in awe that he perfectly translated this essence into his vocabulary.
If you follow Heart of Life on social media you may have noticed my dive into flower essences over the past couple of months since meeting the founder of Lotus Wei, Katie. They gently work on peeling back the subtle layers and entraining the nervous system to embody new patterns, much like the work we do together.
What I'm finding I love most about them is the ability to remind ourselves of the intuitive qualities we already possess. The ability to tap into just what we need in any given moment, and the reminder that these resources are always around us - never out of reach. Next time you look at a flower, imagine it's beauty being just the blessing you need in this moment.
It's easy to live with doubt or disbelief in today's world. Often we would rather seek council from someone else then ourselves, but this pure simple connection articulated by my toddler was a special reminder that we all have it within us. Can you remember your pure innocence, your open heart to put yourself out there and take a risk in knowing or not knowing?
This week, I invite you to explore where you trust yourself and where you may doubt yourself. What, if anything, is clouding your inner guidance?
Try tuning into your inner joyful child and exploring what they see/hear/sense around you.
From this place, what tension patterns relax, and how does your heart/body/intuition speak to you?
Bring your inquires to the table this week, and we'll support you in coming into your pure, whole, wise nature in your session this week.
Let’s embrace connection and open to trust ourselves deeper.
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
With love & appreciation,
Dr. Jessica
A ripple of relaxation
You are enough,
I was recently listening to a teaching by Lynne Twist who wrote "the soul of money,"
she was speaking on something she calls the principle of sufficiency.
Essentially it comes down to the act of knowing we already have enough to live, love, and give meaningfully. And with that shift in viewpoint we begin to seek less, experience and offer more from what naturally abounds from us.
Hearing this created a ripple of relaxation in my body, so much of our world is built upon the idea that we need more, and it's never enough. I'm talking even beyond finances, and within the context of our healing.
Our cultural programming would have us believe that we need every gadget under the sun, that somehow one more thing will be the answer - but those that have truly healed or met abundance would tell you that it didn't come from what they accumulated but what they felt and experienced within.
This week, I invite you to explore those sticky hidden narratives that are keeping you on the hamster wheel of never feeling good enough, or never feeling like you have enough.
Try on the belief that you have enough to live, love and give meaningfully.
From this place, what tension patterns relax, what new opportunities can you see, and how does your heart/body/soul feel?
Bring compassion and honestly as your explore this week, and we'll support you in integrating into your true, whole, worthy nature in your session this week.
Let’s gently connect and open to new possibilities.
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
With love & appreciation,
Dr. Jessica
It's more than a feeling,
You know that gut feeling, voice, or curiosity that comes out of no where?
The need to go for a walk at a certain park, the name of an old friend you surprisingly feel like calling, or the desire to make a different turn that suddenly brings you by a perfect coffee shop you wouldn't have seen otherwise.
The one that maybe doesn't make sense in your mind, or mixes up your normal routine?
These special moments are like messengers, and when we first hear them we may brush them off or wonder where that thought came from.
However, I'm sure you've followed one - and felt the magic of stepping into a curious space, breaking out of habit, and trusting the unknown.
When were "wired" it can be hard to hear this voice, so take a moment today to get quiet or move mindfully and check in with the part of you that's wise, that's playful, curious, and believes something special is meant for you this week.
Bring the sticky parts that don't want to slow down or resist change, and the playful and curious parts into your session this week.
Let’s gently unwind and create new possibilities that support us from the inside out.
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
With love & appreciation,
Dr. Jessica
This created a ripple of relaxation
You are enough,
I was recently listening to a teaching by Lynne Twist who wrote "the soul of money,"
she was speaking on something she calls the principle of sufficiency.
Essentially it comes down to the act of knowing we already have enough to live, love, and give meaningfully. And with that shift in viewpoint we begin to seek less, experience and offer more from what naturally abounds from us.
Hearing this created a ripple of relaxation in my body, so much of our world is built upon the idea that we need more, and it's never enough. I'm talking even beyond finances, and within the context of our healing.
Our cultural programming would have us believe that we need every gadget under the sun, that somehow one more thing will be the answer - but those that have truly healed or met abundance would tell you that it didn't come from what they accumulated but what they felt and experienced within.
This week, I invite you to explore those sticky hidden narratives that are keeping you on the hamster wheel of never feeling good enough, or never feeling like you have enough.
Try on the belief that you have enough to live, love and give meaningfully.
From this place, what tension patterns relax, what new opportunities can you see, and how does your heart/body/soul feel?
Bring compassion and honestly as your explore this week, and we'll support you in integrating into your true, whole, worthy nature in your session this week.
Let’s gently connect and open to new possibilities.
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
With love & appreciation,
Dr. Jessica
Trust what's inside,
I've has this new little ritual with my son over the spring season, whilst sitting in our front yard we'll pick flowers for a 'flower blessing spray' we craft (Shout out to Tami Kent and her book, Mothering from your Center, where we got the idea).
As a part of the creative process, we infuse our blessing spray with intention or prayers. When I asked my 4.5 year old son what he'd like to infuse this blessing spray with, and he replied "I am grateful to be me!"
Later, I looked up the qualities behind the California Poppy that he has picked and read from flower essence society: "Positive qualities: ability to be with oneself despite pain, discomfort or anxiety; knowing the source of light and warmth within oneself; radiant heart-centered spirituality."
I was in awe that he perfectly translated this essence into his vocabulary.
If you follow Heart of Life on social media you may have noticed my dive into flower essences over the past couple of months since meeting the founder of Lotus Wei, Katie. They gently work on peeling back the subtle layers and entraining the nervous system to embody new patterns, much like the work we do together.
What I'm finding I love most about them is the ability to remind ourselves of the intuitive qualities we already possess. The ability to tap into just what we need in any given moment, and the reminder that these resources are always around us - never out of reach. Next time you look at a flower, imagine it's beauty being just the blessing you need in this moment.
It's easy to live with doubt or disbelief in today's world. Often we would rather seek council from someone else then ourselves, but this pure simple connection articulated by my toddler was a special reminder that we all have it within us. Can you remember your pure innocence, your open heart to put yourself out there and take a risk in knowing or not knowing?
This week, I invite you to explore where you trust yourself and where you may doubt yourself. What, if anything, is clouding your inner guidance?
Try tuning into your inner joyful child and exploring what they see/hear/sense around you.
From this place, what tension patterns relax, and how does your heart/body/intuition speak to you?
✨ Bring your inquires to the table this week, and we'll support you in coming into your pure, whole, wise nature in your session this week.
Let’s embrace connection and open to trust ourselves deeper.
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
With love & appreciation,
Dr. Jessica
From burnout to breakthroughs
What's actually leading you?
There was a time in my early 20s when I was focused on running for fitness. It began as a challenge to myself—can I actually accomplish this goal I set?
Backstory: as a teenager, I was active and athletic, but I had been diagnosed with exercise-induced asthma. That, along with growing anxiety, made running feel nearly impossible.
We’re taught that it's the action alone that creates results—just do the thing.
But that misses a critical component: our nervous system and emotional state.
When I started pushing myself to overcome this “obstacle,” it felt like no matter what I did, the outcome was the same: a measly mile, panting and exhausted.
Ever felt that way? In your career, your healing, your relationships, parenting... where you keep hitting the same wall despite trying your best?
Things shifted when I started understanding how my nervous system was influencing everything.
The nervous system is our processing system. What it can’t process in real time builds up—until we meet it later.
So each time I challenged myself to run, my body was replaying old thoughts ("this is going to be hard") and emotions ("will I be okay?"), pushing me into protection mode and sabotaging my efforts—without me even realizing it.
If we only try to change our behavior without addressing the root—our wiring—we often keep recreating the same result.
When I began nervous system healing, I didn’t have much bandwidth for challenge.
I had to start with patience, compassion, and rebuilding from the inside out.
But slowly, capacity returned. I reintroduced running. And this time, it felt freeing.
I eventually trained for and completed a half marathon.
That moment—running 6 miles for the first time, then 13.1—was the most beautiful reminder that capacity is available.
Don’t give up on where you are right now.
Where in your life do you feel stuck in a loop or hitting the same ceiling?
Bring that into your session this week.
Let’s gently unwire and rewire from the inside out.
Everything is a learning moment,
This weekend in the kitchen, my partner got stressed and snapped at me.
One thing after another:
We missed a step in the recipe
We were trying to do too many things at once
Literally stepping on each other’s toes
And then… something started burning
What I noticed in the moment was this: with nervous system capacity, there’s space. A moment of pause in the middle of stress.
I could step back, see the situation clearly, feel compassion for both my partner and myself—remembering my worth and the kind of treatment I deserve—and move forward from that grounded place.
Without that capacity? I would’ve snapped too. I might have made it worse, taken it personally, or turned it into something it wasn’t.
But instead, I took a breath, supported where I could, and by the end of the meal, we’d met each other again—with laughter, connection, and ease.
This is the work:
Pausing.
Looking inward.
Letting life be our teacher in the everyday moments.
So… what is life teaching you right now?
Bring it to the table this week. Let’s integrate and grow through it—together.
From burnout loops to breakthroughs
What's actually leading you?
There was a time in my early 20s when I was focused on running for fitness. It began as a challenge to myself—can I actually accomplish this goal I set?
Backstory: as a teenager, I was active and athletic, but I had been diagnosed with exercise-induced asthma. That, along with growing anxiety, made running feel nearly impossible.
We’re taught that it's the action alone that creates results—just do the thing.
But that misses a critical component: our nervous system and emotional state.
When I started pushing myself to overcome this “obstacle,” it felt like no matter what I did, the outcome was the same: a measly mile, panting and exhausted.
Ever felt that way? In your career, your healing, your relationships, parenting... where you keep hitting the same wall despite trying your best?
Things shifted when I started understanding how my nervous system was influencing everything.
The nervous system is our processing system. What it can’t process in real time builds up—until we meet it later.
So each time I challenged myself to run, my body was replaying old thoughts ("this is going to be hard") and emotions ("will I be okay?"), pushing me into protection mode and sabotaging my efforts—without me even realizing it.
If we only try to change our behavior without addressing the root—our wiring—we often keep recreating the same result.
When I began nervous system healing, I didn’t have much bandwidth for challenge.
I had to start with patience, compassion, and rebuilding from the inside out.
But slowly, capacity returned. I reintroduced running. And this time, it felt freeing.
I eventually trained for and completed a half marathon.
That moment—running 6 miles for the first time, then 13.1—was the most beautiful reminder that capacity is available.
Don’t give up on where you are right now.
Where in your life do you feel stuck in a loop or hitting the same ceiling?
Bring that into your session this week.
Let’s gently unwire and rewire from the inside out.