JULIE SARGENT - Touch and Honoring the Animal Kingdom
A letter I received from Julie Sargent, Zero Balancing Practitioner in the ZB Teacher Training;
When the pandemic lockdown began, I was to begin a training to become a teacher of Zero Balancing (ZB). It was determined that the ZB teacher training would continue by utilizing a virtual format.The faculty and students were steadfast and resilient, finding ways to stay engaged and maintaining faith that in-person touch would eventually return. The community explored new ways to experience healing without touching. It was surprising to witness and experience the effectiveness of this virtual platform. While our connections deepened, we helped each other to relieve the stress of this difficult time. We shared stories from our living rooms and enjoyed meeting each other's extended family, including dogs, cats and birds.
I was fortunate to join with two fellow students with a mutual interest in working with animals. Beverly Peirson, a long time ZB practitioner and former veterinary technician, and Karine Jamet, a ZB practitioner and yoga teacher with a passion for animals. We began to collaborate and create a project of excellence; exploring using ZB with and on behalf of animals. We agreed that the therapeutic environment could be amplified by bringing animals into our awareness. It also provided another means to connect deeply with each other. Our passions were fueled while fulfilling our need for kinesthetic connection at the same time as providing our animals the touch they love and deserve. These conversations helped mitigate fear of the virus, transcending space and time and opening our hearts to connect with our clients and their beloved animal companions. The article “What We Need: Anuradha Roy on Animals and Touch in Lockdown” echoed our emotions as it features touch and honoring the animal kingdom.
On a larger scale, we discussed the possibility of using ancient shamanic rituals to experience and learn and connect to our “power animals”. We appreciate how this is in keeping with honoring indigenous peoples and their respect for all living creatures. In addition, this month Time magazine has Jane Goodall on the cover. She is adamant about keeping hope in these dark times in her new book. She has shown us the value of learning and being in community with animals reminding us that interdependence is key to our survival.
During the height of the pandemic, the world seemed to tune in to the natural environment to cope and to feel optimistic about the future. More animals were adopted from shelters than at any other time in recent history. Opportunities for animal healing arose at a personal level. My vet invited me to volunteer at her wolf refuge where I have found that using ZB has helped alleviate some chronic health issues for the furry four-legged residents. And at home, ZB has soothed my elderly dog's dementia, alleviating some agitation and random incessant woofing.
As our ZB community and the community of natural healthcare world-wide continues to grow and flourish, it is also likely that incorporating animal-assisted therapies may prove beneficial. Our skilled ZB conscious interface touch for the animals and their caregivers will continue to expand our healing circles. The ability to connect with special populations such as veterans, the elderly, those with special needs and trauma victims upholds our dedication to wellness for all.
Julie Sargent, LMT, CZB, BCTMB
Owner of Healing Dimensions Massage
Enjoying life in the white mountains of New Hampshire with her husband Gary, Bode dog, and CeCe the Siamese ..
Juliesargentshealingdimensions.com
ANURADHA ROY AND FRIEND