Philosophical Approaches to Self-Care - BCASW...Philosophical Approaches to Self-Care Joani Mortenson, MSW, RSW, RYT November 11, 2011 ... • Wise Belly Breathing • Mindfulness

Philosophical

Approaches to

Self-Care Joani Mortenson, MSW, RSW, RYT

November 11, 2011

To pay attention, that is our

endless and proper work.

~ Mary Oliver

Presence & Inquiry

Show Up, Be Present, Tell Your Truth

~ Susan Armstrong

Be curious, not certain

~ Tokla Shaw

Overview

• Introduction to Mindfulness

• Review of Social Work Ethics

• Introduction to Yoga Philosophy

• Exploration and Inquiry

• Boundaries

• Tyranny of Niceness

• Integrative Nutrition

• Self-Care as Ethical Practice

• Exploration and Inquiry

Mindfulness & the Body

Mindfulness

• Jon Kabat-Zinn (Wherever you go, there you are)

• Attention, Present Moment Awareness, Attunement

• Breath & Breathing

• Creates changes in brain structure

• Increase immunity, mediates autonomic CNS response

• Emotional, Psychological Hygiene

• Wise Belly Breathing

• Mindfulness Practice

Ethics: Personal & Professional Boundaries

• Ethics are subjective

• Ethics inform decisions (as well as indecision)

• Tend towards meeting needs

• What are your unmet needs?

• Social Workers:

• Instrument of Practice

• Renewable Resource

• Codes of Conduct, Rules of Engagement, Terms of

Reference

BCASW Social Work Code of Ethics

1. Best interest of the client

2. Respect intrinsic worth

3. Integrity and objectivity

4. Maintain competence

5. No exploitation

6. Protect confidentiality

7, 8, 9, 10, & 11

Integrity: social congruence, promote excellence

Advocacy: promote social justice & personal agency

Yoga Theory

8 limbs of Ashtanga Yoga

• Samadhi ~ Absorption

• Dhyana ~ Meditation

• Dharana ~ Concentration

• Pratyahara ~ Sense Withdrawal

• Pranayama ~ Breath Control

• Asana ~ Postures

• Yama ~ Restraints

• Niyama ~ Observances

Yamas: Restraints

• Restraints in times of Unrestraint

• The richest 20% of the world now receives 150 times the

income of the poorest 20%

• Yamas are not about what not to do, but rather what to

do

• Commodification of improvement

• Never “Good” Enough

Yamas

Social Ethics guidelines which mediate/determine attitude,

behaviour.

• Ahimsa: non-injustice, non-violence, right action,

kindness, thoughtfulness

• Satya: truthfulness, non-lying, personal integrity

• Asteya: non-stealing, not-overindulging desires

• Brahmacharya: moderation, conscious use of energy

• Aparagraha: non-possessiveness, greedlessness, non-

coveting, charity, cultivate simplicity

Niyamas

Personal Ethics which mediate/determine self-purification,

self-regulation, and how we relate inwardly.

• Saucha: purity, cleanliness, internal purity, rest,

meditate

• Santosha: contentment, non-attachment, gratitude,

acceptance of how things actually are

• Tapas: austerity, discipline, self-control, orderly life,

purification

• Svadhyaya: self-study, self-inquiry, contemplation, inner

knowing

• Ishvara Pranidhana: devotion to Creation, natural world

alignment, dedication and service

Boundaries:

• Why do we need them?

• Who do they serve?

• Boundary setting is a critical part of compassion

• Cultivate radical self-acceptance vs judgement

• What informs your boundaries?

What informs my boundaries?

• Feelings

• Attitudes and Beliefs

• Behaviours

• Choices

• Values

• Limits

• Talents

• Thoughts

• Desire

• Love

Presence

• Presence is the stability of our body-mindfulness

• How to be fully present?

• Breathe

• Relax

• Feel

• Watch

• Allow

Tyranny of Niceness

• “Nice”: What does „nice‟ look like?

• Nice is not...

• “Nice”: Latin necius, “ignorant”, French nescire, “not to

know”

• Nice is „silencing‟ oneself, colluding with „ignorance and

not knowing‟

• Opposite of truth-telling

• Social construction of femininity, gender roles

• Social Work as nurturing vs nice

Motivations of “Niceness”

• Protection from outside threats

• Fear of non-acceptance or abandonment

• Fear of being seen as inadequate

• Fear of giving offence

• Fear of retribution

• Protection from inside threats

• Guilt

• Shame

• Self-hatred

The Language of Niceness

• Saying Yes, Feeling No

• Saying No, Feeling Yes

• Accepting responsibility or blame that isn‟t yours

• Giving away responsibility that is yours

• Making oneself small

• Offering too much

• Acts of kindness

• “Deep down in every human heart, there is mercy and

generousity” ~ Nelson Mandela

Paradox of Niceness

• Save Time

• Avoid Conflict

• Mitigate Confrontation

• Crave:

• Ease

• Harmony

• Congruence

Antidote for „niceness‟:Holding Space

• What does “Holding Space” mean?

• Creating safety

• Trust

• Empathy

• Acceptance

• Faith

• Willingness

• Welcoming the „whole self‟

• Comfort with messy-ness

Boundaries and Courage

• Ordinary Courage vs Extraordinary Courage

• That still small voice that says, I will try again tomorrow.

• Courage comes through acting courageous

• Swimming, Courag-ing

• Caveat: Safety

• Brene Brown, Social Worker: vulnerability

• http://www.ted.com/talks/brene_brown_on_vulnerability.

html

•

Primary and Secondary Nutrition

• Health is a long-term

journey

• Integrative Nutrition

• Primary Nutrition

• Cravings

• Crowding: One Thing

• Balance

Integration: Self-Care as Ethical Practice

• How to take what you know and apply it

• Creating a personal & professional toolkit

• Transformational Questions to ask yourself:

• What nourishes you in your practice and your life?

• How can you get more of that?

• What are you willing to commit to in order to be more

nourished? Who can you ask for help?

Thank you…

…for Showing Up, Being Present & for Telling Your Truth

References & Resources:

• Adele, D. (2009). The yamas and niyamas: Exploring yoga’s ethical practice. Duluth, MN: On-

Word Publishing.

• Brown, B. (2010). The gifts of imperfection: Your guide to a wholehearted life. Centre City, MN:

Hazeldon.

• Brown, B. (2010). Ted Talks: The power of vulnerability. On-line:

http://www.ted.com/talks/brene_brown_on_vulnerability.html

• Kabat-Zinn, J. (2007). Wherever you go, there you are. Hyperion.

• Kornfield, J. (2008). The wise heart: A guide to the universal teachings of Buddhist psychology.

New York, NY: Bantam Dell.

• Lasater, J. (2000). Living your yoga: Find the spiritual in everyday life. Berkley, CA: Rodmell

Press.

• Rosenthal, J. (2008). Integrative nutrition: Feed your hunger for health and happiness. New York,

NY: Integrative Nutrition Publishing.

• Sommers, E. (2005). The tyranny of niceness: unmasking the need for approval. Toronto, ON:

The Dundurn Group

• Stone, M. (2009). Yoga for a world out of balance: Teachings on ethics and social action. Boston,

MA: Shambala Publishing.

• Trinity Yoga Teacher Training Manual (2010). Trinity Yoga On-line: Vernon & Kelowna Studios

http://trinityyogacenter.com/index.php