What does it look like to come from a place of wholeness – fully embodied and aligned with our core values? And why is it so hard in this day and age to feel whole? In this episode of What the Fundraising, we start that conversation with an understanding of our nervous systems. Today’s guest, Gabriel Kram, is a convener of The Restorative Practices Alliance, Co-Founder of the Academy of Applied Social Medicine, and Founder and CEO of Hearth Science, Inc. In this conversation, Gabriel explains the powerful benefits of cultivating a state of balance rooted in our thoughts, reactions, and connection with others.

Gabriel walks us through polyvagal theory and breaks down the difference between sympathetic, ventral, and dorsal responses in our bodies. He also uses water in its various states as a powerful visual to help us identify the states (often reactive) in which our bodies are living at any given time. Once we understand this framework, it’s easier to find the right practices to move us towards harmony. There is a process to achieving this balance, and Gabriel has some wonderful tools to help us get started. You won’t be advised simply to be more mindful (which can mean so many things) or told you’ve got to keep your body from being fidgety (nervous systems do that). 

True self-care, explains Gabriel, is about so much more than any particular posture or activity. It’s about a deeper dive into our ancestrally-inspired human responses, deeply embedded traumas that extend well beyond our personal lived experiences, and the role of social connection in creating safe spaces where we can rest, reset and heal. We wrap up the episode with some actionable tips for coming back to our bodies and staying there. 

EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS:

(03:30) About Gabriel’s work.
(04:55) What exactly does it mean to live in our wholeness? 
(06:40) The two ways humans tend to separate themselves from wholeness.
(07:33) About the neurological implications of feeling connected.
(08:53) The dorsal state is one of physiological paralysis.
(10:04) Polyvagal theory and our autonomic nervous system.
(11:40) An explanation of our three primary states of being.
(13:25) Gabriel breaks down the attributes of paralysis.
(16:05) The connection between these states and fundraising.
(17:51) How to navigate anxiety and aroused states when fundraising.
(18:16) Ventral and sympathetic states.
(20:37) Neural exercises help to keep our nervous systems balanced.
(22;10) Our resistance to practices that bring us back into our bodies.
(26:16) Self-care vs. community care. 
(29:37) Principles and practices to help manage your body when it’s in a “steam” state.
(33:16) Further thoughts on the dorsal state and how to come out of it.
(38:36) Learn more about Gabriel and Restorative Practices Alliance. 

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