Anxiety and Fear – They're Not Only in the Mind: Somatic-Cognitive Strategies for Emotion Regulation (JS1D25)

Please only register for one of the two formats: On-Land or Online.

Registration closes at 9:00am (Pacific Time) on October 18, 2025. A waiting list will be created if the program fills early. A recording* will be available following the program. Continuing Education credits? (see details below).

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Description:
Fear and anxiety are natural responses to unsettling conditions, which we all face. While often experienced as emotional states, they are closely linked to physiological patterns in the body, and therefore can also be addressed through somatic and mindfulness-based practices shown to support emotional regulation. The Buddha said, “In whomever mindfulness immersed in the body is not developed, not pursued, Māra gains entry, Māra gains a foothold.” In Buddhist tradition, Māra is the force of delusion and unskillful thinking, and gains power over us when we aren’t embodied. Fortunately we can be.

The body isn’t deluded or confused—it’s present. Returning to the body can support clarity and grounding. The body registers sensations before the mind forms thoughts, and can serve as a reliable source of presence and groundedness in any moment. In this daylong online retreat you will learn guided imagery and breath awareness practices, commonly used in mindfulness-based interventions, to support nervous system regulation. You will come away with tools that can be integrated into daily routines to support ongoing emotional resilience and self-awareness. By bringing compassionate attention to fear and anxiety, we may relate to them with greater perspective, supporting emotional balance and well-being.

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Sliding Scale: Our sliding scale options for this program include financial support for our teachers. Please consider paying at the highest rate that you can afford: your generosity supports teachers as well as Spirit Rock and your fellow practitioners who need to pay less.

On-Land Sliding Scale: (JS1D25)**
Benefactor – $310
Sustainer – $235
Basic – $140
Scholarship Rate (BIPOC, M/K) – $70
**Volunteer/Work Exchange opportunities, which include full or partial Scholarships, may be available for the in-person program. For more information, please contact the Volunteer Coordinator at volunteering@spiritrock.org.

Online Sliding Scale: (JS1Z25)***
Benefactor – $175
Sustainer – $95
Basic – $75
Scholarship Rate (BIPOC, M/K) – $45
***Online Program: All are welcome! No one will be turned away for lack of funds as space allows. For more information, please email Registration@spiritrock.org no later than 12:00pm (NOON) PT on the day prior to the program date.

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*Important Notes:

Access to Recording

• Registration includes unlimited access to this program’s recording. You must register by the deadline above. The recording will be available in ~10 days after the program.

On-Land Attendees

• The on-land program will take place in the Community Meditation Center (CMC) in the Great Hall.
• Bring a lunch and a water bottle. Lunch is not provided.
• This is NOT a residential retreat. Overnight accommodations are not provided.

COVID Safety Protocols for non-residential programs: details here.

Cancellation Policy for On-Land: Daylongs, Multiday Programs (1-3 days), Family Programs, CE fees:

• NO REFUNDS.
• Open Credit or Donation to Spirit Rock = cancel 2 or more business days prior to program (Pacific Time)
• No Open Credit = cancel less than 2 business days prior

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Continuing Education (CE) credit available:
This program offers 4 CE credits for $40 for psychologists, and California-licensed MFTs, LCSWs, LEPs, LPCCs, nurses, and chiropractors. Please review our Continuing Education information page to determine if your association or board will accept credits offered by Spirit Rock.****

Teachings are appropriate for health care professionals as well as the general public. This program offers clinicians evidence-based techniques for regulating fear and anxiety through somatically-informed and mindfulness-based practices. It supports clinical well-being by introducing strategies to rebalance the nervous system and reduce psychological distress. The tools presented can also be adapted for clinical use with clients experiencing trauma-related anxiety or chronic fear responses. Psychologists and other health care providers will strengthen both their self-regulatory capacities and their ability to guide clients through empirically supported interventions that integrate body-based awareness with cognitive restructuring.

Learning Objectives for participating health care professionals-
At the end of the program, you will be better able to:

• Describe the role of interoceptive awareness for early detection and reduction of anxiety and stress.
• Apply breath-focused mindfulness practices to support nervous system stabilization.
• Describe mindfulness-based strategies that can be used to identify and disrupt habitual cognitive patterns associated with anxiety, fear, and tension, and improve emotional regulation.

Continuing Education content level: Introductory

****Please note:

• For full Provider information, and additional CE information, including attendance requirements, cancellation, and grievance policies, please visit our Continuing Education Credit information page.
• For those with a different license than listed above, or with a license from a different board or association than listed on our CE info page, please contact your licensing board or association directly to request pre-approval/acceptance of CE credits offered at Spirit Rock. Spirit Rock does not confirm applicability of credit for those with licenses different than those listed.
• Co-sponsor Mindful CECs is a provider approved by the California Board of Registered Nursing, Provider Number CEP17985 for 4 contact hours.
• Potential Conflict of Interest Statement: This instructor may have authored publications relevant to the subjects covered in this course. The instructor might reference these publications during the course, and they may receive financial compensation if these publications are purchased.
• Credit is awarded for instructional time only and does not include extended silent meditation, if offered.

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