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In this episode of Living a Life in Balance, Abdullah Boulad sits with Emi Lizuka, Mindfulness and Somatic Experiencing Therapist at The Balance, to explore how awareness, compassion, and safety shape the way we heal.

Emi shares her personal journey of overcoming narcissistic abuse and single motherhood, and how those experiences led her to teach mindfulness and trauma-informed practices. She explains how self-compassion, co-regulation, and body awareness can transform the nervous system and rebuild a sense of connection to ourselves and to those around us.

Together, they discuss what safety truly means, how empathy works in the brain, and why being authentic with ourselves is the foundation of emotional healing.

🔗 Tune in for a heartfelt conversation on trauma, mindfulness, and the gentle power of presence.

About Emi:
Emi is an experienced mindfulness and somatic therapist. Her work integrates neuroscience, compassionate inquiry, and trauma-informed care to help individuals reconnect with their bodies, cultivate self-compassion, and restore balance through awareness and understanding.

00:00:00 Introduction & Emi’s Healing Philosophy
00:02:01 Self-Compassion & Mindfulness Practice
00:08:15 Surviving Narcissistic Abuse & Single Motherhood
00:14:24 Post-Separation Healing 
00:15:55 Becoming a Mindfulness Teacher
00:17:53 Neuroscience of Empathy
00:21:54 Defining Mindfulness
00:24:24 Trauma Studies & Co-Regulation
00:28:31 Essence of Compassionate Inquiry
00:31:53 Triggers, Social Media, and Public Life
00:38:56 Somatic Experiencing & Safety
00:42:13 Defining Safety & Connection
00:45:27 Trauma, Ownership, and Empowerment
00:48:07 Cultural Differences in Connection
00:51:09 Self-Authenticity
01:00:45 Practicing Self-Compassion
01:05:15 Why We’re Hard on Ourselves
01:06:32 Parenting, Vulnerability, and Holding Space
01:14:19 Mindful Communication & Presence
01:22:04 Client Transformations
01:24:25 Final Wisdom: Savour the Moment

For further mental health information and support, visit The Balance RehabClinic website: https://balancerehabclinic.com/ 
 
Follow Abdullah Boulad:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/abdullahboulad/ 
https://www.instagram.com/abdullahboulad/ 
 
Follow Emi Lizuka:
https://www.instagram.com/mindfulnesswithemi 
 
You can order Abdullah’s book, ‘Living A Life In Balance’, here: https://www.amazon.com/stores/author/... 
 
Follow The Balance RehabClinic:
https://www.linkedin.com/company/thebalancerehabclinic/

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