Guest post – Instead of just learning about regulation, we got to feel it

Our first guest blog post following our event on 29 March, the Science of Rhythm and Regulation, with Brendan McKiernan and Anna Mitchel. Thanks so much to Ciara Crotty

I spent the day at a workshop exploring polyvagal theory through movement, voice, and connection
with Brendan McKiernan and Anna Mitchell— and honestly, it was exactly what my nervous system
needed.

Instead of just learning about regulation, we got to feel it. Noticing shifts in my body, understanding
my own patterns, and realising how much safety comes from being with others.

The singing was the part that surprised me most. There was something so simple and powerful
about voices blending — a kind of soft, shared regulation I didn’t know I’d been craving. I left feeling
lighter, more connected, and reminded of how deeply social our nervous systems really are.

Grateful for the facilitators, the group, and the sense of ease I carried home. If you’re curious about
nervous system work that’s experiential, playful, and genuinely connecting, this is such a beautiful
place to start. Check out the Gingko Collective for more experiences like this.

Ciara Crotty RGN, MA in Art Therapy
Ciara is an art therapist and Transforming Touch Practitioner with a deep interest in developmental trauma and somatic healing.