Workshop aims to support local caregivers by teaching self-compassion

LEAVENWORTH – Awake Bodies Pilates Studio will host a five-week workshop to help caregivers learn how to take care of themselves while caring for others. It will be every Wednesday from 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m., starting Feb. 28.

The workshop is called “Self-Compassion for Caregivers” and will be led by Danelle Paulick, a midwife and massage therapist (MSM, LM, LMT), and Jenelle Landgraf, a Behavioral Health Therapist and meditation instructor (MSW, LSWAIC). The workshop is not only for professional caregivers but also for parents, teachers, healthcare professionals, or children taking care of ailing parents.

“We're gearing it toward all different kinds of caregivers, like people who for their work or in their day-to-day life are caring for other people, because they often then are not taking the time to have compassion for themselves. They often are holding other people's needs above their own,” said Paulick.

The sessions will facilitate group discussions, meditation, and craniosacral massage therapy while following the framework of “The Mindful Self-Compassion Workbook” by Kristin Neff and Christopher Germer. 

“I love the work that Danelle and Janelle do…Taking care of others is costly in so many ways and especially to our nervous systems, our physical bodies. Our bodies need to move in ways outside of our patterns. We need stillness for our minds to heal and self-compassion for our nervous system,” said Hali Fiano of Awake Bodies.

Through counseling and meditation, Landgraf will lead caregivers in building mindfulness, managing stress, and cultivating connections with other caregivers. Paulick will focus on the mind and body connection by helping caregivers understand how their everyday tasks and emotions can have physiological effects. Paulick will introduce craniosacral massage therapy to help reduce the residual effects of physical injuries or negative experiences on the body through somato-emotional release.

“A lot of times you have to push aside your own well-being, or at least your own responses to situations in order to deal with the actual situation, and this is to offer a space to explore that and release any negative emotions that have been held in the body, or patterns of self-criticism, so everyone can that comes can be better at their day-to-day jobs,” said Paulick.

By developing this awareness and coping mechanisms, Paulick says it can build greater emotional resilience, compassion, and self-esteem in caregivers, preventing burnout and strengthening relationships.

“If you know someone that is working hard to care for others, perhaps purchasing this for them as a gift and offering to be there with the person that needs care while they can attend would be a gift that goes far beyond the candle or casserole,” said Fiano.

The workshop will take place at Awake Bodies, 217 14th Street, Unit D, in Leavenworth. The workshop costs $250 and will occur every Wednesday night from Feb. 28 to Mar. 27. Limited spots are available for signup until Feb. 21. Those interested can contact Danelle Paulick at danelle@livingnourish.com.

Taylor Caldwell: 509-433-7276 or taylor@ward.media