About Vicente

I started meditating in 1990, while using a holistic approach to recover from anxiety and depression. Meditation became an integral part of my life and led me to several other practices that helped me heal, grow and expand. I am grateful for the opportunity to support others and help them benefit from those practices like i did.

My Background

Training

Triple Vagal Method for trauma release, Integrated Somatic Institute, US (200h)
Naad Yoga Teacher Training, Leo Cosendai, UK (200h YACEP)
Multiple Style Yoga Teacher Training, Shree Hari Yoga School, India (200h YACEP)
Sound Healing and Ceremony, The Yoga Forest, Guatemala (100h YACEP)
Yoga Nidra Teacher Certificate, Sampoorna Yoga School, India (50h YACEP)
YOQI Qigong Flow, Certified Associate Instructor, YOQI Yoga and Qigong School, Thailand (200h)
Meditation Teacher Training, Satyam Shivan Sundaran Meditation Teacher School, India (200h)
Intermediate and Advanced Sound Healing, Nepal (100h - Private Lessons)
Certificate in Applied Mindfulness, University of Toronto, Canada (80h)
Integrative Vibrational Therapy, Sound Therapy Yoga Therapy, Thailand (100hh)
Integrated Community Drumming Facilitator, Circles off Rhythm, Canada (30h)
Sound Healing with Singing Bowls, Satyam Shivan Sundaran Meditation Teacher School, India (30h)
Other Meditation Training : Compassion Cultivation Training, Transformative Mindfulness, Meta Meditation, Tibetan Buddhist Meditation, Meditation Practices Vietnam

Other Highlights

PhD in Adult Education
MA in Counselling Psychology
Diploma in Mental Health Counselling
25+ Years Working in Mental Health
Certified Life Skills Coach
Certified Enneagram Teacher
Five years in contemplative community

Call

416 827 7117

karunameditation@gmail.com

About Our Sessions

All our sessions aim to help reset and retune your Autonomic Nervous System. They are designed to help you achieve a state of inner peace and calm, so you can live a more balanced and fulfilling life (parasympathetic dominance). Read below to learn more.

What is the Autonomic Nervous System

Autonomic Nervous System (ANS) is the part of our Central Nervous System responsible for regulating involuntary body functions such as breathing, heart rate, and digestion. The ANS is comprised of three parts: the sympathetic nervous system, the parasympathetic nervous system, and the dorsal vagal complex. Dependind on which of these three parts is active, you feel differently and experience life in a different way.

Can you tell me more about each of the three parts of the ANS and how they make me feel?

The parasympathetic part of the ANS is responsible for the "rest and digest" response. When activated, it slows down heart rate, constricts pupils, and increases digestive activity. This response is important for conserving energy and promoting healing. When the parasympathetic nervous system is activated, people feel calm, relaxed, and content. They experience a slower heart rate, deeper breathing, and constricted pupils. They may also feel a sense of well-being and a greater ability to focus.

The sympathetic part of the ANS is responsible for the "fight or flight" response. When activated, it prepares the body to respond to a perceived threat by increasing heart rate, rapid and shallow breathing, dilating pupils, and releasing adrenaline. This response is important for survival in dangerous situations. When the sympathetic nervous system is activated, people may feel anxious, stressed, or fearful. They may also feel a surge of energy and a heightened sense of alertness.

The dorsal part of the ANS is responsible for the "freeze" response. When activated, it slows down heart rate, lowers blood pressure, and reduces breathing rate. This response is important for conserving energy and avoiding danger. When the dorsal vagal complex is activated, people may feel disconnected, numb, or dissociated. They may experience a slower heart rate, shallow breathing, and lowered blood pressure. They may also feel a sense of helplessness or hopelessness.

Q: How does the autonomic nervous system work?

The autonomic nervous system is designed to move smoothly between the three states, parasympathetic, sympathetic and dorsal, depending on the body's needs and the circumstances in your surroundings. In response to stress or danger, the sympathetic state is activated, which increases heart rate, blood pressure, and respiration, among other things. The dorsal state, associated with freeze or shutdown responses, may be activated in extreme situations, such as trauma or abuse. Once the stressor or danger has passed, the parasympathetic state is activated, which promotes rest and relaxation, allowing the body toprocess the experience and recover. However, the body can become stuck in one of the stress sates, leading to negative mental, emotional and physcial health consequences. It's important to be able to identify which is your dominant state and maintain a healthy balance between these states. You can train your nervous system and strengthen its ability to effectively fluctuate between the three states as needed.

How do i know if i am stuck in one of the stress states?

The sympathetic and dorsal states are supposed to be temporary states that an individual experiences when there is stress and or danger. However, depending on personal experiences and life’s circumstances, some individuals can become stuck in a sympathetic or dorsal state. This can happen to people who experienced adverse childhood situations, are living under chronic stress and/or have a history of trauma, among other factors. Individuals stuck in a sympathetic state usually experience muscle tension, anxiety, and a heightened sense of alertness and ongoing hypervigilance. They may also experience difficulty sleeping, digestive issues, and a weakened immune system. Other signs of being stuck in a sympathetic state include irritability, restlessness, and a tendency to overreact to situations. People in this state may also experience a decrease in libido, as well as changes in appetite and weight. People stuck in a dorsal state usually feel numb, disconnected, and disengaged from the world around them. They may also experience fatigue, low energy, and a lack of motivation. Additionally, they may have difficulty with memory and concentration, and may struggle with feelings of hopelessness and helplessness.

How can your sessions help me?

Our sessions, combined with regular practice of the techniques learned, can help you return to a parasympathetic state, and over time, achieve parasympathetic dominance. Parasympathetic dominance is when an individual’s parasympathetic nervous system is the predominant active part of the nervous system. When a stressful event happens, either sympathetic or dorsal nervous system is activated, but when the event is over, they return to a “parasympathetic state”. Achieving a state of parasympathetic dominance is important for overall health and well-being. When the body is in a parasympathetic state, it is able to rest, process situations and emotions, and heal. This can lead to a number of benefits, including reduced stress and anxiety, improved digestion, better sleep, and a stronger immune system. Being in a parasympathetic dominance can also help individuals feel more connected to themselves and others, be more open and creative, solve problems better, and can promote a sense of inner peace and calm. To achieve a state of parasympathetic dominance, individuals can engage in a variety of practices and incorporate them into their daily lives. Sound healing, somatic trauma release, meditation, slow movement, drumming, chanting, affirmations, breathing practices, restorative yoga and yoga Nidra are all examples of practices that can help individuals achieve a state of parasympathetic dominance. These practices can strengthen the nervous system's ability to effectively fluctuate between the three states in response to life circumstances, and shift from one to the other as circumstances change. Through these practices, individuals can take control of their own wellness and live a more balanced and fulfilling life. By engaging in these practices regularly and incorporating them into their daily lives, individuals can learn to regulate their own nervous system and achieve a state of parasympathetic dominance, leading to emotional well-being and spiritual growth.