Why HealingPerspectives?
It has been my experience that healing comes in many forms and from various directions.
“perspective taking” has been and continues to be one of the core element of this ever evolving and moving process for me.
If we assess our degree of healing by how present we can truly be to ourselves and our environment in any given moment, it might seem paradoxal that the ability to “look at” or “perceive” ourselves and our world from many different standpoints may be such an intrinsic and liberating part of the journey…
Not “le racourci qui ralonge” as a young boy from Quebec once called a proposed shortcut… but the detour that brings us straight home.
Maybe because we have taken the time, to take in the view…
When we are able to stand back and feel ourselves as part of the vast landscape of life, The Macro and the Micro…
it is my experience that an innate sense of purpose & direction arises from within, to meet the needs of the moment, for the greater good of all living beings, including our own.
But sometimes… our experience is overwhelming & we can’t see the wood for the trees…
At such times, when life has sent us reminders that we have been working from reaction and compensation rather than choice.. and we have burst the banks of our capacity for resilience;
what helps us get back to a felt sense of flow and harmony?.. of inner guidance, value, purpose, true self and destiny?
At points of crisis, where danger meets opportunity, often the most difficult thing to do is to slow down.
And yet this is probably the major factor in our potential for healing & growth.
When life has given us reason to pause… This is where the scope and flexibility
that multiple perspectives afford come into play.
Healing relationship
It has often been said that : “As we get wounded in relationship, so we heal in relationship”. This is the first perspective that any transformative, trauma informed coaching context offers: a therapeutic relationship of trust and respect, where we can take the time to relearn about how to relate to ourselves and others with more spaciousness and ease.
The developmental perspective
“Making sense” of what happened to us as children is often part of the journey. Taking stock of the things that happened that should not have happened, & those that should have happened but didn’t, (the traumas of abuse and neglect) helps us deconstruct how we have learned to deal with life. When these “coping” “survival” “protective” adaptations lead us towards burn out and illness, contacting these experiences in a felt way brings on the compassion for ourselves that will foster true and durable change in the way we view and inhabit our lives.
The existential perspective
Taking responsibility for ourselves, how we feel and take ownership of our reactive states and projections in our relationship to ourselves and our world, is often the third leg of any healing journey. Once we have owned and forgiven ourselves for where we came from, we as human beings have the unique opportunity to transform and bring more compassion and consciousness into our world. Buddhist psychology and many other spiritual teachings can help us integrate the parts of us that still live in the past, to the wider perspective of the true-Self that is ever part of the connective tissue of life…
Anchored in a cellular sense of belonging, we can then
become who we were meant to be.
The Somatic Perspective
Underlying all those domains of integration is the somatic layer, the embodied reality that informs everything we perceive through the lens of how our nervous system has learned to thrive and survive. Making space and time to connect to our “felt-sense”, tuning into how our bodies regulate or protect when faced with the challenge of showing up in a safe relational context, is the basis upon which we start to heal biologies often “retuned by trauma”.
As human beings we are multi-faceted, multi-layered, complex systems capable of self-healing when the conditions are right and ripe… and as we belong to multiple connective systems, those conditions may require both inner and outer changes.
Where we decide to start is dependent on our priorities as unique beings in unique circumstances.
Delphine Grandjouan: who am I?
My name is Delphine Grandjouan, I have been a fashion and bridal designer for 25+ years, finding in a creative career the inner development and structure that suited my needs, capacities and limitations as an introvert.
At some point though my history of developmental trauma came crashing down on me, through a relationship breakup that completely made me loose my sense of worth, in myself and my life.
From this depth of despair, I was lucky to have staunch, support that enabled me to start a quest for understanding and release that has lead me to learn from many amazing and wonderful teachers, whose work inspire and inform my practice as a trauma informed somatic transformative life coach.
From Dan Siegel I have learned about attachment and domains of integration.
From Stephen Porges and Deb Dana about theoretical and applied polyvagal theory.
And from Peter Levine the practicum and purpose of what Deb Dana calls: “healing the world one nervous system at a time”.
Gabor Mate and Sat Dharam Kaur, have provided me with a map and context from which to orient my sense of possibility regarding: healing in a “toxic culture”: How our world creates our mind, and our mind creates our world, and the role of the original “ trauma of disconnection “, as the fundament upon which all other traumas build.. Often locking us in lonely patterns of avoidance, distraction and dissociation, rooted in negative core beliefs and repressed emotions. And finally how only radical self-compassion and self-responsibility can ever make us whole..
My mentor Luke Sniewski, has made clear for me how much the level of disconnection and reconnection of my mind and body is the ever present gage upon which I can measure my post traumatic growth.
The Joy of meeting colleagues and teachers at the Belfast Trauma Summit 2024t
I integrate to my transformative life coaching sessions both the Somatic Experiencing and Compassionate Inquiry approaches, in which I have gained certification.
And work in a polyvagal conscious, IPNB (InterPersonalNeuroBiology), IFS (Internal Family Systems) and trauma informed context, adapting to the needs and capacity of my clients in an intuitive relational way, where words are only part of the congruent exchange.
Along with the psychological, emotional and somatic work I have personally undertaken in the last Eight years, I have found that my connection with nature has been a huge part of my personal journey towards reconnecting with a sense of value in and care for my life… as part and parcel of this interwoven and what Dan Siegel would call “intra-connected” whole.
Spending time in nature, feeling both the boundless joy of connection with trees, rivers, creeks, lakes and ocean, plants and animals, and the pain of the pressure we as humans are putting on the health of all living beings, is for me an essential part of my embodied spiritual practices.
The service I offer:
I offer trauma-informed, transformative life coaching sessions online through Zoom.
We often start with a 20 min introductory session where you can ask questions about the process. If you want to share more about what has called you to seek support, a stand alone one hour session will provide more space and experience to feel into what package might suit you best. Most of all it is a moment for feeling into the connective space and tasting the quality of rapport between us.
As we decide to proceed further, the structure of our work together can take the form of isolated one off sessions or more continuous work, shorter or longer sessions (55 0r 85 minutes) depending on your wishes and needs.
I facilitate different payment plans to suit your intention.
For more information: Feel free to contact me @ delphine.grandjouan@gmail.com
Client testimonials:
“I really feel that our sessions have helped me a lot with (re)connecting with myself. I have had a hard time allowing myself to be vulnerable for quite some time.
Being able to talk with you, an objective and such warm person, really made me feel safe to do so: to put things into perspective again, and allow to up the self-care.
For that I am deeply grateful to you.” J.D.
“Delphine, Thank you so much (from the bottom of my heart) for the potency and places we have been able to meet, touch and explore in our time and sessions together. It’s been such a wonderful and powerful experience. “ K.R.
“Thank you so much for your sessions! It really help me find myself! “W.L.
Client testimonials:
« Throughout our sessions, Delphine skilfully guided me in exploring the barriers holding me back in life, while imparting invaluable tools to resource myself and enhance my self-compassion during challenging moments.
One aspect of her approach that stood out to me was her use of orienting at the beginning of each session, grounding me and setting a supportive foundation for our work together. Her expertise and compassionate guidance have truly made a positive impact on my journey of self-discovery and growth. » (C.P.)
“Thanks for all your help over the last couple of months. I really appreciate your kindness, guidance and time. It’s helped me get back on track .“C.M.
As I practice therapeutic modalities in a coaching context, Here are Some of the reasons and aspirations that may prompt you to seek my support:
- Facing, accepting and/or creating life changes.
- Nurturing self-care & resilience in the face of life stressors.
- Fostering a sense of self support, personal safety and ease.
- Accessing motivation & a sense of purpose, passion and meaning in your life.
- Creating compassion for all parts of us: reparenting our vulnerable aspects.
- Accompanying physiological illness, chronic pain, emotional overwhelm, anxiety, depression, grief, despair.
- Awareness and expression of personal needs, reconnecting with healthy anger & boundaries, giving the inner critic a break.
- Releasing emotional blocks, integrating mind and body.
- Listening to, understanding and valuing our body’s wisdom.
- Retuning the nervous system, restoring choice, finding existential equilibrium.
You might connect with any, all or none of these… the most important is Your personal intention and I am here to make a safe space for it.
Looking forward to meeting you, and sharing healing perspectives together!….
My credentials
- Somatic Experiencing Practitioner Certification includes: 216-hour, 3year in person training with Ireland SE, as part of SE international.
- Compassionate Inquiry Practitioner certification includes: Compassionate Inquiry, year-long 240-hour professional training by Sat Dharam Kaur and Gabor Mate, and Compassionate Inquiry Mentorship program (142 training hours, 200 practice hours and mentoring)
- Transformative Life Coaching Diploma, ICF approved ADTC LEVEL 2 by Animas (UK) 139 training hours, 40 practice and mentoring hours)
- Certificate in Counselling and Psychotherapy, 200hour(Level 8), Merit, CCSTI Cork Counselling Services Training Institute accredited by Coventry University.
- Certificate in Therapeutic Play Skills, FETAC 6N4705 (Level 6) Distinction, CTC (Children’s Therapy Centre, Co. Westmeath)
- Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy
Continuing Education & Personal development
- Peter Levine, Healing Trauma.
- Mindsight Institute, Dr Dan Siegel: 6 months Comprehensive course in Inter-Personal Neuro-Biology, Attachment and Interpersonal Neurobiology in couples therapy.
- Thomas Hubl, The Collective Healing Journey.
- Bonnie Badenboch, Nurturing the heart with the brain in mind.
- Richard Schwartz, Introduction to Internal Family Systems & IFS circle
- Deb Dana, a year of Polyvagal Theory & Polyvagal Theory unpacked Janina
- Fisher, The living Legacy of Trauma
- Addiction, Beyond mainstream treatment masterclasses: Stephen Porges, Janina Ficher, Laurence Heller, Steve Hoskinson, Jan Winhall.
- Arielle Schwartz & Stephen Porges: Applied Polyvagal theory in Yoga
- Sat Dharam Kaur: Sutradhar, Beyond Addiction in person and online, Kundalini Yoga 200h teacher training in Amritsar, India.
The practice of Kundalini Yoga has been the second leg of my search for embodied spiritual practices.
Practicing with Sat Dharam Kaur since 2021 has been an instrumental part of my journey towards trauma healing, self awareness and acceptance.
I have been lucky to take part in the first edition of her Saibhang Institute’s newly minted 200h Kundalini Yoga Teacher Training, in Amritsar India in November 2024, and have since then graduated as a Kundalini Yoga Teacher Level 1.
I am offering weekly classes and an upcoming series of programs that blend psychological and nervous
system regulation teachings with with theme related Kundalini practices (Pranayam, Kriya, Mantra).
Yoga Offerings
What is the purpose of Kundalini Yoga?
The primary aim of a class is awareness.
Awareness of our own body, on a physiological and energetic level.
- By Working with the breath or Prana, as we rhythmically move our body and rest, we alternatively stimulate sympathetic and para-sympathetic functions and retune the Nervous System towards safety.
- By practicing Locks (contraction of lower, middle and higher centers to clean potential energetic blocks), we rebalance our glandular system and Chakras or energetic vibratory centers, clearing the path for our life force to rise and transform… as we open up to more subtle energetic perceptions.
- By experiencing chanted sound currents, we open up to our true nature as interconnected energetic being, in tune with every aspect of creation, every living being.
What does a Kundalini Yoga class look like?
We start with opening mantras, as an opportunity to turn within and reconnect with our energetic vibration.
We then practice a Pranayam (controlled breath exercise), followed by a Kriya (complete set of movement with a particular physiological, energetic, emotional purpose) and Savasana (relaxation).
We finish with a Mantra (chanted prayer or sound current, that works on particular energy centers and opens us up to receiving energetic guidance from the universe).
The duration of a class is 90 minutes.
Weekly Kundalini Yoga Classes take place on Zoom, they are by donation.
If you are a beginner, I invite you to book a private or small group session with me. We will go through the basic practices and Asanas to make sure you have a basic understanding of techniques, how your body responds, exploring modifications if the need arises. You can then integrate my regular classes…
Alternatively Programs such as:
the Perspectives on Healing through trauma informed Kundalini Yoga Weekend introduce the practices to a larger group and preview further speciality programs focussed on particular psychological, physiological and emotional teachings.
If you wish to learn about days and times for the weekly classes, and timetable and fees for workshops or private classes, please email me on delphine.grandjouan@gmail.com.
Healing Perspectives Kundalini Yoga programs,
Offer psycho-educational perspectives on somatic regulation through the practice of Kundalini Yoga.
Perspectives on Healing through trauma informed Kundalini Yoga
Introductory Online Weekend Workshop:
The goal of this introductory weekend is to familiarise you with the fundamental practices of Kundalini Yoga in the context of Nervous System regulation.
With a main focus on: The Breath, Autonomic Nervous system & Window of Tolerance, Alignment of the spine, The Knots and Locks, Kundalini Energy & the Chakra system.
Who is this for?
Anyone seeking to understand and befriend their nervous system.
Anyone seeking tools for personal resourcing and self-regulation.
Especially supportive for people involved in a conscious self-healing journey, as a means to deepen the somatic perspective and understand how it is underlying and supporting all other levels of healing.
How we Heal? 8 week Intensive:
The weekend is followed by an 8 weeks practice intensive, combining teachings with regular weekly Kundalini Yoga classes, where we delve deep into: How we Heal.
Through the lens of Polyvagal theory, Inter-personal Neuro Biology, Somatic Experiencing,
Attachment theory and Internal Family Systems, we explore layers of healing.
And get oriented to our inner landscape, possibly opening up to the type of integration that might be most fitted to our personal needs at this moment.
Organised around Deb Dana’s principle of healing as reconnection with Self, Others, World and Spirit.
With Dan Siegel’s 8 Levels of Integration to guide the process.
We will explore our relationship with our Ventral vagal system, our Freeze, Flight and Fight responses,
And once we envision what it means to reconnect to ourselves from a vertical and bi-lateral stand-point, engage with our growing rapport to inner coherence and inter-connectedness.
How does our experience of being human change as our physiological, narrative, identity and relational integration, evolve away from adaptation to threat?
What might it feel like to greet the world with integrated body and mind?
The intention is to let the body speak and guide us towards inner knowing and intuitive wisdom, as we engage our cognitive minds with basic teachings and let the somatic and emotional integration happen through sustained Kundalini Yoga practices over two months.
With a chance to learn and share in a community of safe, respectful, committed others.
Respect, is both the end and means of the practice.
Respect for our beautiful earth, its mountains and forests, its oceans, lakes and rivers.
Our plant and animal brothers and sisters, our own kin and ourselves.
In that light it is good to remember that all Practices suggested are invitations to lean in a particular direction with concentration and awareness of your own internal rhythm, emotional state and physical limitations in any given moment. Listening to the body and whether it says yes or no is what will affect the most change, remembering that visualisation is as effective as exercising when we have to mind parts of our body that may have been previously injured.
As we learn to make this a practice of caring for ourselves, and our planet, we truly enter our Sat Nam, our True Identity.