Publishers Weekly
07/24/2023
Yoga instructor Weinert debuts with an empathetic guide to healing personal trauma through somatic and narrative writing practices. Because “our stories live in our bodies,” Weinert’s six-stage program begins with physical activities, such as breath work, to “soothe nervous system and guide the body from a fight, flight, freeze or fawn response”; moves on to meditation and mindfulness; and later involves putting pen to paper—first to “heal and seek meaning” individually, and then to share work with a confidante, since true self-transformation requires “an outside source, perspective, and energy, the same way pollen alone can’t fertilize other flowers; it needs to be moved around by bees.” Weinert intersperses approachable, bite-size sections that cover all stages of the creative process, from setting intentions for one’s writing to getting published, along with flexible and compassionate exercises, many of which can be completed in a few minutes. For instance, readers can write a letter (to a lover, book character, or even a body part) as a “powerful first step toward connection, whether you send anything or not.” It’s ideal for creatives seeking catharsis or those looking to further develop their journaling practice. (July)
From the Publisher
Whether you want to write your way to healing or open yourself to deeper and more authentic writing, this book is a must-read.”—Resmaa Menakem, New York Times bestselling author of My Grandmother's Hands
“Narrative Healing is the potent creative medicine that we all need.”—Elizabeth Keenan, E, of E.G. Scott, author of The Woman Inside and In Case of Emergency
“This groundbreaking program shifts our perspective on healing and enables us to progress toward a path of complete well-being and show up as our best selves. At a time when our culture is deeply divided and suffering from complex trauma, Narrative Healing is a program for connection for everybody." —Jamia Wilson, bestselling author of Young, Gifted and Black
“Narrative Healing is a writing guide like no other. Lisa Weinert offers yoga, visualization, meditation, and other exercises as well as storytelling prompts to help readers establish an embodied writing practice. I’ll be recommending this book to my colleagues in healthcare.”—Suzanne Koven, MD, MFA, Writer-in-Residence, Massachusetts General Hospital and author of Letter to a Young Female Physician
“Lisa Weinert is a gifted word doula, helping us access healing through the power of storytelling. Narrative Healing is the book we need right now to foster connection and help heal our collective wounds.”—Shelly Tygielski, founder of Pandemic of Love, author of Sit Down to Rise Up
“With her masterful guidance, Lisa Weinert empowers readers to find their own voice, connect with their inner wisdom, and transform their lives through the power of storytelling.” —Justin Michael Williams, author of Stay Woke: A Meditation Guide for the Rest of Us
“Lisa Weinert’s generous spirit as a truth-seeker shines through the pages of Narrative Healing. This book is an invitation to grow and awaken your creative voice.”—Jenny Jackson, New York Times bestselling author of Pineapple Street
“Lisa Weinert teaches that storytelling is a basic right. Narrative Healing is a call to action for all of us to reach inside and ignite the power of our authentic voice in pursuit of our collective healing.”—Nicole Cardoza, founder of Reclamation Ventures, creator of Anti Racism Daily, and author of Mindful Moves
“Drawing on trauma research and years of experience, Weinert's approach to writing as a method for healing is both powerful and essential. Narrative Healing is destined to become a classic text in the mental health arena and beyond, offering a vital resource for anyone seeking to improve their physical, emotional, and mental well-being.”—Amanda Stern, author of Little Panic: Dispatches from An Anxious Life
“Lisa Weinert has the rare power to help people find their story. In Narrative Healing, she shares her gift for viewing the practice of writing as an act of mindful healing. A must-read for writers, aspiring writers, and those who are still struggling to find their voice.”—Ethan Nicthern, author of The Road Home: A Contemporary Exploration of the Buddhist Path
“Full of exercises accessible to any person with a body and a mind, Lisa Weinert's Narrative Healing is sure to help many people on their path to wellness. Lisa reminds us that there is no separation between body and mind, and that if we want to heal either one, we need to work with both.”—Nellie Hermann, Creative Director at the Program in Narrative Medicine at Columbia University
“Profound, inspiring, and accessible, the life-changing therapeutic principles of Narrative Healing are essential for anyone on a path of growth, personal healing and our collective-healing. Like a loving-friend, Lisa Weinert confidently and compassionately guides us through the process of holding space for ourselves, and listening deeply, so we can feel safe enough to greet, care for, and free not only our stories, but limiting beliefs, identities and traumas that are diminishing our health and the ability to feel connected and at ease in our bodies and lives. Narrative Healing is a path of liberation for all of us. —author of Deep Listening, Jillian Pransky
“Narrative Healing is an invitation to write your resistance into recovery and possibility. Lisa Weinert’s guidance inspires and catalyzes an inner wisdom that cuts deeper than words. It is an embodied journey back to the self.” —Kerri Kelly, author of American Detox
“Lisa encourages us, as artists of any medium, to look inside and pull inspiration from our own experiences. We each have a story to share, and these prompts and embodied practices are creative gold for all artists.”—Jessica Dimmock, Emmy Award-Winning Director
“Eloquent and deeply personal, Lisa Weinert bares her soul in this raw and powerful narrative of her own healing journey. A Godsend to professionals reeling from the upheavals that have hit the workplace and our lives since 2020, and how releasing our stories unleashes its healing virtues and deepens our sense of social connectedness.”—Kennedy Ihesie, Head of Global Diversity & Inclusion at AIG
“As a lifelong mover, and professional embodiment teacher, I've seen the power of somatic release to heal trauma firsthand. Lisa Weinert's experience with writing coupled with her dedicated practice in multiple movement modalities, has given her a unique lens in birthing the work of Narrative Healing. This is a must-read for anyone on a healing path or looking to actualize their true calling.—Karla Misjan, Movement Instructor and Manager of Experience at The Class
“No matter your role professionally, this book will transform your ability to communicate and inspire. Thoughtfully written with insight and compassion, Lisa Weinert’s Narrative Healing offers a roadmap to healing and leading in a post-pandemic world where empathy and resilience are the keys to business, creative and personal success.”—Susan McPherson, author of The Lost Art of Connecting: The Gather, Ask, Do Method for Building Meaningful Business Relationships
Library Journal
★ 07/01/2023
This first book from yoga teacher Weinert acknowledges that trauma is experienced differently by everyone, and those looking to heal will approach it differently. Through what she calls "narrative healing," the author seeks to help readers listen to their bodies and address their feelings. Weinert incorporates mindfulness techniques and writing prompts to help readers tell their stories. She also provides tips on how to use the book, encouragement to readers to be kind to themselves throughout the process, and modifications to make readers more comfortable. This book is ideal for those healing from trauma who want to use writing as a tool. Weinert includes an extensive list of notes and suggestions for further reading that should appeal to a variety of readers—from poetry to mindfulness, everyone can find a book here to continue their healing journey. Weinert's title is user-friendly and lends itself to being revisited repeatedly as needed. VERDICT This book is a must-buy for libraries looking to enhance their mental health collections.—Noelia Martinez
