YRMC Heartbeat EP006: Take Five to Thrive No. 1 with Cheryl Van Demark: Showing Up

Hello and welcome to the Take 5 to Thrive Podcast where you will listen to simple 5 minute practices, that you may use anywhere in the course of your day, to settle and center yourself if you start feeling overwhelmed. 

I am your host, Cheryl Van Demark with Dignity Health YRMC Physical Rehabilitation Services.  I share these Take 5 to Thrive practices with you based on my forty plus years in health care, integrated with a life long interest in the science of mind body medicine, certification in MBSR ( mindfulness based stress reduction) and my extensive training as a yoga therapist. 

No one but you knows how it truly feels in body, mind and spirit to meet whatever challenges are present in your life, or to show up every day here as an member of our health care team, or perhaps to be someone receiving our patient services . 

I originally wrote this Take 5 to Thrive series in a dedication to the memory of my brother, Glenn Barr – who died at age 56 from cancer, shorty after making it to retirement after a 25 year career in law enforcement as a corrections officer, Federal Marshal and member of a Fugitive Apprehension Team in LA.  He loved being part of this brother and sisterhood despite the often dangerous work; however, repeated or prolonged activation of the physiology launching our stress response  from any source ultimately limits our ability to thrive. 

My intention for you taking time to listen today is to learn something that helps YOU reconnect with the sacred, inner place of ease that is always present within and from which you may thrive.