S2E09: Family Caregivers Need Care Too: A Trauma-Sensitive Guide on How to Incorporate Movement Into Your Days

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If you are or will be a family caregiver, this episode is for you! Did you know that over 53 million Americans provide unpaid care to a family member, often neglecting their own health and well-being? Many report high levels of stress and burnout. It's time we address the often-overlooked need for caregiver self-care. Today, we're exploring a trauma-sensitive approach to incorporating movement into your daily routine. Our guest will share practical strategies to help caregivers prioritize their own physical and mental well-being, even in the midst of their demanding roles.
This month we’re diving into the role of movement in daily self-care for family caregivers. To review this topic, I have the privilege of interviewing Janis Isaman.
As the founder of My Body Couture, a one-on-one private movement studio, Janis Isaman is a Trauma Sensitive Movement Specialist focused on providing customized, personalized body-focused services to clients with chronic pain, illness, injuries and other movement limitations.
She is a leader in approaching mental health and wellness from a body-first lens. Her trauma credentials include the Compassionate Inquiry® psychotherapy approach developed by Gabor Mate, Trauma Center Trauma Sensitive Yoga (TCTSY), Somatic Experiencing® International developed by Peter Levine and Trauma Research Foundations Traumatic Stress Certiicate Program with Bessel van der Kolk.
Some of her exercise, bodywork and movement certifications include STOTT Pilates, Yamuna® Body Rolling, Paul Grilley yin yoga, Leslie Kaminoff Principles and Practice, Rainbow Yoga and Critical Alignment (CA) Yoga and Therapy.
She has additional designations from Precision Nutrition and the Institute of Integrative Nutrition and has completed coursework in Forrest Yoga, Functional Synergy and Eat, Breathe, Thrive.
Janis is known for her whole-body approach to movement, focused on addressing the root cause of limitations and aesthetic concerns. Her practical, functional and discipline-agnostic approach blends physical and evidence-based mental health modalities into a relatable, innovative and effective body sustainability program. This approach offers clients education and usable tools and has changed how thousands have related to the experience of their own bodies.
Janis is a keynote speaker and has been a guest on over 250 podcasts since 2020. She is an award-winning writer for Elephant Journal and has been quoted as a health expert in Reader’s Digest, Prevention, Women’s Health, Cosmopolitan, Working Mother, Sparkpeople, MyFitnessPal and Beachbody.
She also leads professional teacher training to help other movement professionals gain certifications and to help studios add new modalities to their programming.
In her personal life, she is a mother and passionate community volunteer with the Calgary Stampede, 17th Avenue Business District, Heritage Park and Kids Up Front.
She holds a Bachelor’s degree from the University of Alberta. Together, we’re discussing a trauma-sensitive approach to incorporating movement into your daily routine as a family caregiver.

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