Hello, I’m Heather.
I’m a certified nervous system coach, performer, clown teacher, filmmaker and writer.
Whether you need support in getting back into the world after a traumatic event, overcoming procrastination in creative projects, or learning how to give public speeches with less fear and more fun, I would be honored to teach you the tools of Polyvagal Theory so you can experience freedom from physical, mental, and emotional pain—both on and off the stage.
Each session or package is tailored to your specific needs. Do you have a solo show in your heart ready to be born, a book half way written, or a play that you want to bring to the stage? I’d love to bring my years of experience and thoughtful support to your creative projects in combination with nervous system regulation tools so that process feels embodied, empowered and joy-filled.
Book a free discovery call or drop me a message
During my certification with the Polyvagal Institute, I learned practical science-based applications for treating trauma survivors. While I’m not a therapist, the institute welcomed me as a professional clown, where I shared my passion for helping performers who suffer off the stage with addiction, negative self views, chronic pain and illness—challenges I knew too well before finding Polyvagal Theory.
Polyvagal Theory at its core is about aligning your body with your soul in order to be the truest you—which also happens to be at the core of clowning.
In more scientiific terms, Polyvagal Theory is how your body automatically shifts between different states—calm and social, alert and defensive, or shut down—based on whether it perceives safety or danger, connection or isolation. The work focuses on the vagus nerve, or the soul nerve, which connects your brain to many parts of your body, including your heart, lungs, and digestive system.
The truest you is easy to be, but sometimes hard to find when your nervous system remembers a time when it was not safe to be that beautiful simple you. Healing is meant to be fun—and fun is meant to be healing. So let’s have some fun and give your beautiful nervous system the support and listening it needs to feel well again.
Each session or package is tailored to your needs, combining movement, sound, creative play, and education to help you understand what your nervous system needs—and when it needs it.
Please reach out to see if we are a good match to work together and to create a package that fits your specific needs.
Book a free discovery call or drop me a message
Bio:
Heather Theresa Craig is a multidisciplinary artist and educator with extensive training in Polyvagal Theory and clowning. She has completed a certificate program in Polyvagal Theory in Therapy: Practical Applications for Treating Trauma, led by Deb Dan LCSW, and completed the clown teachers training workshop with Christopher Bayes. Heather brings a wealth of performance experience and a compassionate approach to teaching, helping performers attune their nervous systems for more authentic and impactful performance as well as a more authentic, balanced and aligned personal life.
“Heather is an enthusiastic, patient and FUN facilitator in all things clown and polyvagal theory. Her introduction to this work helped me take the steps towards healing my panic disorder. She is also a great listener who will meet you where you are on that day. Her knowledge of clown perfectly blends with the techniques needed to reset your nervous system.She presents materials in a clear and easily accessible manner. Heather’s sensitivities create a safe enviornment to explore and learn on your terms. ”
“I’ve been through the gamut of health coaches and holistic healers, so I have a unique understanding of how difficult it is to find ones I can trust wholeheartedly with my sensitive body and soul. Heather is one of these individuals; she was certainly put on this earth to help guide others.
Not only is Heather well-educated about human kinesiology and autoimmunity, but she also applies her own lived experience as an invisibly ill person and her background in comedy/performance to her teachings, cultivating an atmosphere that is peaceful yet electric. She radiates a healing energy and is simply a delight to be around.
Heather has a keen understanding of how evolution, neuroscience and psychology pertain to the vagus nerve’s role in fear response, emotion regulation and social connection. Her Polyvagal Theory lessons and activities have had an instrumental impact on how I navigate my life as a chronically ill person in the world. The way I carry myself has fundamentally improved as a result of her guided meditations and gentle exercise sessions. Heather has taught me how to befriend and regulate my nervous system, allowing me to become more grounded and in tune with myself and my body. All the while, embracing my inner child’s desire to come out and play! ”