ABOUT THIS EPISODE
Did you know that many "behavioral issues" in children aren't behavioral at all—they’re sensory?
Following up on our last conversation with Aaron about sensory integration, we’re taking a deeper dive into the specifics of how our nervous systems process the world around us. In this episode, host Maayan sits down with Lisa Danahy, founder of Create Calm, featured Hay House author, and international speaker with over 30 years of experience across education, healthcare, and community organizations.
Lisa breaks down the complex science of stress and human behavior into relatable, practical strategies you can use immediately in the classroom or at home.
The 8 Sensory Systems: Moving beyond sight, sound, smell, taste, and touch to explore Vestibular (balance), Proprioception (body awareness), and Interoception (internal signals like hunger or heart rate).
Behavior vs. Sensory Processing: Why a child's meltdown might actually be an unmapped hunger signal or a shrunk "window of tolerance"—and how to spot the difference between sensory modulation and discrimination issues.
Somatic Regulation Techniques: Experiential tools to ground the nervous system, including:
🎈 Balloon Breath: Aligning mind and body through intentional breath.
🤲 Body Tapping: Activating proprioception to feel "back inside the body."
🧺 The "Washing Machine": Using twisting and sound to release tension via vestibular engagement.
Co-Regulation in Practice: Why adult energy dictates child regulation, and how to use mindfulness for somatic awareness rather than behavior control.
Support for Neurodivergent Students: Effective, non-verbal physical "containers" (like weighted tools or child’s pose) for nonverbal or autistic learners.
Lisa Danahy is the founder of Create Calm, a Hay House author, and an international speaker. For over three decades, Lisa has dedicated her career to making stress science and nervous system regulation accessible, engaging, and transformative for educators, healthcare workers, and communities worldwide. Learn more about her work at Create Calm.
https://createcalm.org/
https://a.co/d/0bk52982
👉 Missed our previous episode on sensory integration with Aaron? Be sure to go back and give it a listen to get the full picture!
https://open.spotify.com/episode/5oHQllOf8ql7lGfjMf9rCT?si=-T4Kz7G7TOGJHU496Kw_ZA
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