Life, Values & Legacy: Our Chat with Dee Wagner of Stone Mountain

We recently had the chance to connect with Dee Wagner and have shared our conversation below.

Good morning Dee, we’re so happy to have you here with us and we’d love to explore your story and how you think about life and legacy and so much more. So let’s start with a question we often ask: Are you walking a path—or wandering?
The multi-generational trauma healing method I originated helps people take mindful steps, so I am definitely walking a path. The method is called Chi for Two. Chi is energy. Chi is the life-force in and around the body. The words “for Two” bring attention to how our life force is affected by our two-person interactions.

When a client, or student or employee practices Chi for Two with their Embodiment Coach, or teacher, or boss, even the wandering steps can become mindful. Over 40 professionals have now mindfully stepped into our two-year Chi for Two Embodiment Coach training program!

Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
The Chi for Two Embodiment Coach training program is approved by ISMETA (International Somatic Movement Education and Therapy Association). More and more people are beginning to be interested in somatics—the study and awareness of sensations, movements and experiences. Chi for Two helps us become mindful of how our two-person relationships affect the sensations in our bodies, which are the origin of our movements.

Embodiment Coaching helps leaders from every field better understand the people they serve. We have coaches who are psychotherapists, bodyworkers, teachers, engineers and business leaders.

Appreciate your sharing that. Let’s talk about your life, growing up and some of topics and learnings around that. What’s a moment that really shaped how you see the world?
When I learned about scientist Stephen Porges’ polyvagal theory, everything I had done in my personal therapy journey and my journey as a psychotherapist fell into place. The polyvagal theory helps us understand our nervous system functioning. Have you ever felt like a person was getting on your last nerve?

As I began to write and present on polyvagal theory, I saw that my understanding of polyvagal theory was different than even Stephen Porges who created the theory! That sent me on a research journey, which has been very difficult at times, and very validating at times.

Was there ever a time you almost gave up?
No. My body has guided me, one step at a time. I have had many big sensations in my body, and I might have given up but I have had the Chi for Two practices to guide me. The practices create symbolic redos of unfinished infant/parent interactions like Reach for help and Push for stability. These are infant/parent dances: When we Reach for help and Push for stability, ideally there is the help and stability we need. However ideal rarely happens so it is wonderful that we can come back to these important infant/parent dances in therapy—somatic therapy.

So a lot of these questions go deep, but if you are open to it, we’ve got a few more questions that we’d love to get your take on. Is the public version of you the real you?
Yes. I sense that the value of polyvagal theory is that polyvagal theory helps us recognize an active state that is not Fight/Flight. This active state is called Play/Dance. In my therapeutic journey, I have learned to move mobilized with Play/Dance. I have learned to acknowledge when the sensations in my body awaken a hunger Chi for Two practices and to role model using Chi for Two therapeutically to find Play/Dance mobilization.

Before we go, we’d love to hear your thoughts on some longer-run, legacy type questions. What is the story you hope people tell about you when you’re gone?
I have researched the existing science and shared my understanding with other experts and with Porges himself, the creator of polyvagal theory. In that journey, I have found validation for my understanding.

I have six peer-reviewed journal articles about my understanding of nervous system functioning. That is validating. I hope Chi for Two will become a way of living for all people. Chi for Two creates servant leadership, which creates sustainable business practices by providing somatic conflict resolution. Hey, why not dream big?

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Image Credits
John Cargile

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