Practical Resources for Everyday Regulation
Books, practice cards, and free guided somatic lessons to settle the nervous system and build quiet resilience.
You can’t travel every week. You need practices that work on an ordinary Monday morning.
While immersive experiences shift your perspective, simple daily rituals support your foundation. Below is a curated collection of books, aspiration decks, and guided audio sessions designed to help you release physical tension, clear mental noise, and settle back into your body wherever you are.
“A beautiful book in its simplicity; it’s accessible writing and practices. Every page is an invitation to reconnect to the great eternal wisdom of the Tao as a much-needed antidote to the pressures and striving of our amped up world and nervous system.“
—Kay Goldstein, author, psychotherapist, chef/entrepreneur
Many people try to overcome mental stress by thinking harder. Embodying the Tao turns that approach upside down, translating classic Taoist principles into direct physical cues that help your nervous system settle without strain.
Rooted in everyday physiology, this practical guide offers simple somatic inquiries and easy-to-follow movements to help you conserve energy, release chronic holding patterns, and move through daily life with steady, unforced momentum.
Body-First Wisdom: Learn why softening physical tension quiets the analytical mind.
Everyday Micro-Practices: Concrete physical tools you can use in just a few minutes at home, in the office, or out in nature.
Non-Dogmatic Philosophy: Timeless Taoist perspectives stripped of esoteric language and translated into practical physical habits.
“Amy Colvin offers a crisp, readable, actionable roadmap to a more thoughtful, compassionate, happier you. A gem of a book and a powerful way to start each morning.”
—Laszlo Bock, former SVP of People Operations at Google and author of Work Rules!
Analytical, action-oriented people often worry that self-compassion implies being “soft” or losing their edge. In reality, harsh inner dialogue keeps your nervous system trapped in a chronic stress response.
Drawing on my long-time Taoist meditation practice and my background facilitating Stanford University’s Compassion Cultivation Training (CCT), this book offers 66 brief, practical exercises to reframe internal criticism, navigate setbacks with self-compassion, and build genuine emotional stamina.
Quiet the Inner Critic: Practical ways to interrupt the rumination and self-judgment that keep you awake at night.
Build Everyday Resilience: Develop habits to navigate challenges with emotional composure instead of depletion.
Physical Cues for Mental Ease: Simple somatic adjustments to release jaw and shoulder tension and open up mental clarity.
The Origin Story:
My somatic methodology wasn’t created in a vacuum. It was refined inside the high-pressure environment of Google, where I launched the MindBody Awareness program in 2011 to help engineers manage stress and increase focus.
“Being aware of what my physical body needs while my brain is busy coding has helped me significantly reduce stress, not get so worn out, and enjoy my job.” — Google Engineer, attending my MindBody Class (2013)
Read the original 2013 Case Study on The Google Blog.
I have spent the last 13 years refining those early methods into the programs I offer now.
The Cultivating Compassion Practice Deck
When stress hits, the brain tends to replay the same worries and reinforces physical tension patterns. The Cultivating Compassion Deck gives your nervous system a physical, visual circuit breaker.
Featuring original animal archetype artwork paired with uplifting inspirations, each card provides an immediate focal point to interrupt mental spinning.
Morning Anchor: Pull a single card with your morning tea to establish a quiet, steady tone for the day.
Midday Reset: When you notice physical tension or cognitive overload creeping in, draw a card to reset your outlook.
Journal Prompt: Use the grounding cue on each card to untangle mental static and reflect on your baseline.
“These cards have a unique way of setting a positive tone for my day and helping me stay focused on my path to inner peace.” ~ Taylor M.
Free Guided Somatic Resets
Short audio practices to help your body release tension in 20 minutes or less.
For Calming Rumination:
For Morning Energy:
For Deep Rest:
For Internal Harmony:
Conversations on Somatic Resilience
In-depth interviews and discussions exploring nervous system regulation, qigong, and neurobiology.
On True Resilience: Armor vs. Boundaries—Why physical and emotional “armoring” drains vital energy, and how yielding like bamboo creates durable strength without brittleness.
On Breaking Stagnation:
Doing Less to Gain More:
On Somatic Reprogramming: