Neuroscience for Change Makers

We require inner capacity to deal with our increasingly complex environment and challenges. Inner development is required for change. Join Jax Wechsler and a small group on a learning journey where we will explore how current understandings in neuroscience relate to the four dimensions of change - Being, Relating, Envisioning and Enacting. 

Each week we will consider a different dimension, discuss neuroscience-related phenomena and learn related practices that can support us to navigate change in our work and life. How we interact with the world, each other, how we make sense and navigate change is influenced by our nervous systems. Neuroscience examines the relationship between body, mind, brain and behaviour. It can help us better understand our sensations, ourselves, how we relate, how we learn, how we behave, and how we can work with change. 

* Enjoy an EARLY BIRD discount till September 23

WHAT YOU WILL LEARN

Week 1 : BEING : The Nervous System, Polyvagal Theory & Embodied Self-awareness

• First, we will focus on our own own ways of Being.
• Learn about Polyvagal Theory and the relationship between body, mind, vagus nerve, brain and the nervous system.
• We will map our own nervous systems to become familiar with what it feels like when our nervous systems are regulated and dysregulated.
• We will learn ways to bring our own nervous systems from dysregulation to regulation through embodied self-awareness, bringing you greater choice in each moment.

Week 2 : RELATING : Safety, Communication & Co-regulation

• Relationships are an important dimension of change. We will next focus on how we relate with ourselves, each other and our contexts.
• Learn about how humans are linked through our nervous systems, how feelings of safety and our nervous system are related, and how safe connection enhances communication, creativity, collaboration and cognition.
• We will consider ways to create greater safety, leading to better communication, collaboration, higher order thinking and creativity.
  

Week 3 : ENVISIONING : Collective & Creativity Cognition

• Change requires us to see and act differently. Visioning is important for individuals and groups to motivate and guide change. 
• This week we will consider the relationship between our neurobiology, our creativity and our openness to change and learn practices for unlocking creativity individually and in groups.
• We will learn some strength-based and visioning practices to consider how they support individuals and groups move towards change. 

Week 4 : ENACTING : Acting, Learning and Reflecting

• In the final class we will consider how we can create conditions to enact change.
• We will examine how humans learn and what helps make learning stick and discuss practical ways to enhance learning and support reflective practice.
• Together, we will consider how to create transformative learning experiences (including ways of being, relating and envisioning) that give rise to change.

WHO IS THE LEARNING JOURNEY FOR?

This learning journey is for people interested in inner development practices and ways of being. The more we can sense and see, the more aware we are. The more aware we are, the greater choice we have in each moment, and the greater our capacity to affect change in the world. 

The program has an experiential component and is suited to those who enjoy applied learning and experimenting with new practices. The group will learn and reflect together in four weekly classes over a month. The class size will be small.

COURSE FORMAT

• The course will be held online on Zoom for 2 hours a week over 4 weeks.
• A workbook with class notes, practices and links to readings and resources will be supplied to support your learning.
• Each week, you will have some experiential homework that will take up to one hour to complete. Please ensure you carve out a bit of time each week for this to get the most from the course.
• A Slack/or WhatsApp group will be set up to share experiences, resources or to ask questions.

ABOUT JAX WECHSLER

Jax is fascinated by change and how to support systems and social transformation. She has been working within social design and change for 20 years as an educator, facilitator, consultant and coach. A lifelong learner, Jax has a Masters in Design by research, focused on human-centred innovation within organisations, and is constantly learning and refining her practice. Jax's practice is also influenced by Systems Thinking, Living Systems, Asset Based Community Development, Futures and TheoryU. She has always been intrigued by how people see the world, evidenced by her undergraduate studies in Religious Studies where she studied Aboriginal Religion and Buddhism. 

More recently, Jax has been focused on developing skills related to inner development, studying Trauma Informed Practice, Somatic Coaching/Embodiment Practices, Neuroscience, Family Constellations and Non-Violent Communication. She is also interested in indigenous and earth-based spirituality and healing practices, and has spent time training with an indigenous healer in Peru.  Currently, Jax is training as a Process Oriented coach and is working towards her Associate Certified Coach (ACC) certification with the International Coaching Federation (ICF).

If you have any questions about the course feel free to get in touch.