Welcome to another episode of the Soul Care for Therapists Podcast! In this episode, Dawn Gabriel and her guest Chris McDonald have an insightful conversation on holistic self-care. Chris is a therapist, yogi, podcaster, meditation teacher, and author. Chris shares his personal and professional journey, highlighting his passion for holistic care and helping therapists incorporate holistic practices into their work. They discuss their shared experiences as podcasters and the importance of practicing what they preach. Personal and Professional Journey Chris McDonald is a therapist, yogi, podcaster, meditation teacher, and author. She shares his experience of juggling various roles in his life, acknowledging the challenges that come with it. Despite the occasional chaos, Chris finds fulfillment in his work. He runs a small group practice and hosts the Holistic Counseling Podcast, which has been nurturing for two years. Her podcast aims to grow its audience and provide more offerings for therapists. Chris particularly enjoys helping therapists with self-care and teaching them holistic practices to use with their clients. Passion for Yoga and Meditation Chris's journey into yoga and meditation started gradually. As a school counselor, she initially learned about breathwork during a teacher retreat. She noticed the positive impact it had on her students, allowing them to calm themselves. However, Chris realized that breathwork alone wasn't always sufficient. She discovered the power of combining breathwork with movement, which deepened the healing experience. Alongside this, Chris began exploring meditation by joining a local Buddhist group. Through consistent practice, she learned valuable lessons in maintaining daily practice and incorporated these practices into his personal lifestyle and therapeutic work. Teaching and Practicing Self-Care Dawn and Chris discuss the common tendency among therapists to teach mindfulness and self-care skills while neglecting their own practice. Chris emphasizes the importance of therapists actively engaging in the practices they teach. She admits that even as a teacher, she often uses practices as a band-aid, only turning to them when he's having a bad day or trouble sleeping. However, Chris encourages therapists to develop a regular self-care routine and integrate mindfulness, yoga, and meditation into their daily lives. By practicing what they preach, therapists can experience the transformative power of these holistic practices and better support their clients. Holistic Practices in Session As a therapist, Chris integrates various holistic practices into his sessions. She considers breathwork, meditation, and yoga as the trifecta of holistic self-care. Dawn states being mindful and present is difficult. “It's like we are asking people to slow down and get mindful, and that's so different than. Level up and hustle and do this thing next.” These practices help ground clients and promote mindfulness, slowing down the fast pace of their lives. Chris clarifies that the yoga he teaches isn't focused on fitness or flexibility but centers on calming the nervous system through mindful movements. He also incorporates brain spotting and polyvagal theory into his work, recognizing the importance of psychoeducation in helping clients understand and benefit from these practices. People do not realize how fast they are going and the permission and skills to slow down can be life-changing.  Conclusion Dawn and Chris conclude their conversation by emphasizing the importance of being true to oneself. Chris's decision to have a small group practice, despite external pressure to expand, exemplifies his commitment to his own well-being and soul care. They discuss how holistic practices challenge the culture of constant hustle and encourage individuals to slow down, be mindful, and find balance in their lives. By embracing holistic self-care, individuals can discover the transformative power of mindfulness, yoga, and