Emily H: Before we go into the details, what is the most important, lasting transformation that you hope people will take away from your course?
Emily S: The most important takeaway is that upon completion, people will be empowered with the knowledge and practical tools to improve their sleep. The effect that a good night's sleep has on a person's physical, mental, and emotional state is astronomical. When you achieve restful sleep, the flow-on effect is improved relationships and a longer, happier, and more fulfilling life.
My intention is to give you a full toolbox of sleep and relaxation techniques that they can access anytime, making them second nature. I hope to inspire you to step back and take stock of what is and isn't working in your life. A simple change of perspective and clever guidance can reveal the hidden solution. I strongly believe this course contains all the information necessary to empower every individual to reclaim their ability to sleep well and ultimately live their best life.
Emily H: Can you share more about what inspired you to help people with sleeplessness on a global scale?
Emily S: The initial inspiration came from a very personal place: watching my beloved husband struggle so deeply with sleeplessness and seeing the negative impact it had on every part of his life. When he sleeps well, he's funny, charismatic, witty, energetic, never gets sick, and super fit. Watching his life become negatively impacted — from being anxious and agitated to tired and unwell — made me feel helpless.
Once I delved into the research, it became clear how widespread this problem is — with two-thirds of the world's developed nations being underslept. This compelled me to help globally. I realized that solving this sleeplessness epidemic could truly change the world. Sleep is grossly undervalued; it's the single most important thing we can do for our health, trumping both diet and exercise. I want to help people shift the modern perspective where being tired, stressed, and busy is often seen as a sign of value and success.
Emily H: Tell us about the holistic approach you take and what kinds of actionable techniques we will learn to achieve better sleep.
Emily S: There's no one-size-fits-all solution, which is why this course takes a comprehensive, holistic approach by exploring all the variables that might be affecting your sleep. We step through topics including diet, exercise, routine, gut health, and the ability to manage stress. I've combined the most up-to-date scientific research from the West with ancient Eastern techniques to deliver a full and holistic program.
Every day, you'll receive an informative written lesson, along with journal questions to help you determine the relevance of the insights to your own lives. The homework activities guide you to make achievable, daily changes that will build up to a huge positive shift by the end of the course. Plus, each lesson includes a short video where I offer helpful breathing techniques, simple exercises, and, most importantly, reassurance — I'm there as a friend along the journey. And the best part? The course includes 14 hour-long meditations specifically designed to be done in bed.
Emily H: Could you share more about your background, and how you integrate the whole-person perspective to support people in achieving this lasting health and healing?
Emily S: I've been working as a health coach, yoga, and mindfulness expert for the last decade, with clients ranging from ages 4 to 80. I've worked with clients around the world to help them achieve a healthy body and mind. My area of expertise lies in looking at the whole person — physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual — because regardless of what someone is seeking to treat, this is the only way to get lasting results.
I see each of us as an intricate tapestry woven by our genetics, thoughts, feelings, and experiences. My job is to help people step back, truly see every aspect of their tapestry from a non-judgmental perspective, and empower them to consciously weave the thread to create the life they want. When we embrace this full perspective, true health and healing can occur, and life can become more peaceful and easy.
Emily H: The daily 60-minute meditations sound like a wonderful feature. What are the unique benefits of these, and how are they different from other sleep aids people may have tried?
Emily S: While I was helping my husband, I noticed that many sleep meditations were more like audio books — serving as entertainment while the listener was in limbo between awake and asleep. I found those types of meditations could contribute to wakefulness rather than acting as a sleep aid. In this course, you're treated to a catalog of meditations featuring the most effective physical relaxation techniques known to man. I combine scientifically proven breathing and relaxation techniques, dreamy visualizations, and silence, which allows the listener to practice the technique on their own and gain their own intuitive insights.
For example, one meditation is a 60-minute yoga nidra practice. It's thought to be the deepest form of rest while being awake and is currently used by the military to help those suffering from PTSD find reprieve from their thoughts. Some meditations involve a journey deep within the subconscious mind to heal any emotional blockages that may be creating inner turmoil and preventing sleep. We also practice ancient breathing exercises that have stood the test of time and been confirmed by modern science; their potency will make them a beloved part of any person's evening routine.
