098: The Body Knows: Unlocking the Power of Somatic Healing with Antonia Dolhaine

Have you ever wondered how life's unexpected turns could lead you into a path of profound self-discovery and healing?

In this episode of Mystical Sisterhood, I sit down with Antonia Dolhaine, a former Cirque du Soleil acrobat turned Somatic Depth Coach. Their conversation offers an insightful exploration into Antonia's transformative journey and the unique perspective she brings to her coaching practice.

Rooted in her childhood experiences on Bone Island—a place where the very walls of her house served as her jungle gym—Antonia's story is one of resilience. She shares memories of an upbringing marked by frequent mobility and emotionally immature parents, which honed her survival instincts and later transformed into an ability to deeply attune to her environment and her clients' needs. Her story is a testament to how adverse experiences can become powerful tools for healing and growth when we learn to view them through a new lens.

The pandemic served as a pivotal moment for Antonia. An injury combined with the shutdown of entertainment left a void that she courageously filled with her innovative spirit. Thus, her coaching business was born—a venture she describes as initially accidental but later reveals its profound purpose as she embraced the natural flow of breath work and intentional conversation guiding her clients through personal transformations.

Antonia describes the beginnings of her coaching career as an organic development, where clients were drawn to the pre-and post-breathwork conversations they had with her. Despite her initial reluctance due to her own insecurities about coaching, she found this role enriched her and her clients’ lives, leading her to formalize her skills through certification and supervision.

A notable aspect of Antonia's philosophy is her connection with nature, which underscores her practice. She highlights that our bodies are part of the earth, governed by the same universal laws that guide the natural realms. Her work emphasizes reconnecting with these fundamental patterns to aid in healing and personal evolution. So much of her practice revolves around learning to attune to our physical selves, addressing nervous system dysregulation, and thereby finding peace and presence in our own bodies.

Antonia’s journey is a reminder of the profound power inherent in personal evolution. Encouragingly, she reinforces that the capacity for adaptation and growth lies within us all, shaped by an ingenious lineage of survival. To journey with her is an invitation to attune to your inner wisdom and embrace the inherent intelligence of your being.

We talk about:

• 00:00 Intro
• 03:38 Early Life and Influences
• 06:23 Pandemic Pivot: Starting a New Business
• 08:40 Discovering Coaching Through Breath Work
• 12:37 Integrating Various Modalities
• 17:18 Nature and Somatic Healing
• 21:34 Dream Work and Nervous System Regulation
• 22:12 Healing PTSD Nightmares with Dream Therapy
• 22:36 Understanding Somatic Dream Work
• 24:45 Morning Pages: A Tool for Dream Recall
• 28:59 Exploring Grounded Spirituality
• 33:00 Addressing Burnout and Energetic Debt
• 38:23 The Journey of Somatic Healing

Resources mentioned in this episode:

• The Mystical Sisterhood Community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/mysticalsisterhood
• Creator Connections: https://www.maureenspielman.com/events 

About the Host: 

Maureen Spielman is the Founder of Mystical Sisterhood, a podcast dedicated to bringing more joy, healing and expansion to the world. She is a Soul Psychology coach who supports women through one-on-one coaching, groups and workshops. 

Connect with Antonia 

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/antoniadolhaine/ 
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/antoniadolhaine/ 
• Website: https://www.antoniadolhaine.com/

Connect with Maureen 

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/maureenspielman/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/mysticalsisterhood
• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list 
• Website: https://www.maureenspielman.com
• Email Maureen at hello@maureenspielman.com to inquire about coaching, podcasting & speaking engagements
• Mystical Sisterhood Creator Connections - meetups on Tuesday mornings to seed and grow your next creation

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