Join us for a relaxing, meditative soundbath with guide Gina Ammar!

Join us for a relaxing, meditative soundbath with guide Gina Ammar!

When: Sunday, March 30th, 2:30-4:30pm **The sound bath will take place from 3-4pm. Please arrive before 3pm!**

Where: A private garden in Pasadena. You'll receive the event address after you submit this form!

Things to bring: We will be sitting/laying on the ground during the soundbath-- please bring a yoga mat, blanket, pillow, and/or whatever you need for a comfortable laying experience! Since we’ll be outdoors, we also recommend dressing in layers to stay warm!

Food/Drink: We’ll be supplying light refreshments! Feel free to bring any other snacks/drinks that you’d like to share!

About Gina Ammar:

Gina Ammar is not just a holistic therapist; she’s a guide on your journey to wholeness. With a passion for integrating diverse knowledge into a cohesive therapy approach, Gina has dedicated her life to helping others achieve mindset mastery and overall wellness. Her own wellness journey inspired her to create Elevate Mindset Mastery, where she combines ancient wisdom, modern science, and spiritual guidance to help clients reset their minds, renew their bodies, and rejuvenate their souls.

At the heart of Gina’s practice is the belief that the mind isn't just in your head—it's woven throughout your entire body. This understanding unlocks the power of your whole system, transforming the way you live and achieve your goals. Gina’s approach focuses on present feelings and sensations to uncover root issues, allowing for deep, lasting change.

A note about COVID/general safety: We will be outside and expect everyone to take the necessary precautions to maintain everyone's health. If you have any (contagious) symptoms, please do not attend. Masking is optional. By attending this event, you agree not to hold LADN or the homeowners liable for any risks (COVID or otherwise) associated with gathering. Thank you for understanding, and please feel free to reach out with any questions.

Join us for LADN's new Teen Support Group facilitated by clinical psychologist Dr. Samantha Levy!  We welcome all teens (13-18) with dysautonomia who live in California to attend this group.  If you are a dysautonomia patient over the age of 18, we ask that you attend our monthly adult patient support group, which typically occurs on the 4th Saturday of the month.

Date: Thursday, March 27th, 2025

Time: 4:15-5:15pm 

Location: Zoom

Sign up: Sign-ups are required for this meeting - please click the button below. If you have any questions, please email us at LADN@la-dn.org.

About Dr. Samantha Levy:

Samantha Levy, Ph.D. is a clinical psychologist who received her Ph.D. from Georgia State University in the Child and Family specialty track. During her clinical, child centered internship at UCLA, she became involved with the Pediatric Pain Program. Subsequently, she obtained her postdoctoral training there. Depending on the specific situation, Dr. Levy works either with whole families, individual children/teens/young adults, or parents. She employs an array of psychological orientations (e.g. CBT, play therapy, mindfulness, hypnotherapy, ACT, IFS), to help the children/teens with their pain and any accompanying emotional issues. She helps the families understand the connection between the physical pain and emotional difficulties (mind/body connection). She teaches parenting skills and helps parents facilitate their child’s difficult, courageous journey back to functioning more fully in the world again. Dr. Levy runs multiple parent groups at the nonprofit Creative Healing for Youth in Pain (CHYP). She is also a contributor to the CHYP parent blog.

Join us for our monthly support group for dysautonomia patients living in California. Our support group provides a space for patients to share their experiences related to dysautonomia, as well as an opportunity to provide and receive support from others living with this condition. This meeting will take place in a virtual format via Zoom.

Date: Saturday, March 22nd

Time: 1:00-2:00pm

Location: Zoom

Sign up: Please sign up at the link below. Please email us with any questions at LADN@la-dn.org.

Support Group Disclaimer:

Please note this is a patient-run support group. It is not facilitated by a licensed medical or mental health professional. Talk with your doctor before implementing any advice from the group.

Join us for a virtual Mindful Movement Workshop on Friday, March 14th, 5:00-6:00pm, with instructor Lian Norris! Sign up here!

About this workshop:

Lian will be teaching a 1 hr “mindful movement” class for the LADN community! The intention of this class is to provide a safe space for people to explore gentle movement, breath work, and mindfulness while in the comfort of their own homes! This class will utilize both a yoga mat (or any cushion/carpet/rug you may have at home!) and chair to provide various adaptations to fit individuals physical needs. Beginners are welcome! 

Optional Donation: 

This workshop is free for LADN members! However, if you are in a position to make a small donation to help cover the instructor fee for this workshop, we would greatly appreciate it! Donations can be made here!

Suggested items to bring to this workshop: (It’s ok if you don’t have everything!)

• Water/beverage as needed

• Yoga mat (or towel/rug/carpet/cushion)

• Yoga blocks (or throw pillows)

• Yoga blanket (or towel)

• Yoga strap (or towel/belt)

• Chair that doesn’t move -- preferably something light, like a folding chair you can move easily

Other tips: It may be beneficial to position your camera so Lian can see your whole body to be able to provide better individual guidance during the practice! (It is also totally fine if you prefer to have your camera off!)

Sign up for this workshop here! Do you have specific body pain or tightness you’d like to address, positions you’d like to do, or general questions for Lian? Shoot us an email before March 14th, and we’ll let Lian know ahead of time!

About Lian:
Lian is a Los Angeles based yoga instructor and occupational therapist giving compassionate, inclusive, and holistic care to people of all ages, genders, and physical / cognitive abilities. Lian trained In Boston at Down Under School of Yoga. 

Lian specializes in lifestyle certified sensory enhanced trauma-informed yoga training and specializes in working with people with dysautonomia and related health conditions. Her goal is to meet others where they are in their journey of self-discovery. She is passionate about teaching the nourishing benefits of yoga to be applied on & off the mat!  

Sign up for this workshop here to receive the Zoom link!

Disclaimer: By attending this workshop, you understand and acknowledge that the stretches and movements in this class may cause personal injury or exacerbation of symptoms, and you agree not to hold LADN liable for any harm caused by performing the recommended positions/stretches/movements.

Join us for our monthly support group for dysautonomia patients living in California. Our support group provides a space for patients to share their experiences related to dysautonomia, as well as an opportunity to provide and receive support from others living with this condition. This meeting will take place in a virtual format via Zoom.

Date: Wednesday, March 5th, 2025

Time: 12:00-1:00pm 

Location: Zoom

Sign up: Please sign up at the link below. Please email us with any questions at LADN@la-dn.org.

Support Group Disclaimer:

Please note this is a patient-run support group. It is not facilitated by a licensed medical or mental health professional. Talk with your doctor before implementing any advice from the group.

Join us for LADN's Caregiver Support Group facilitated by clinical psychologist Dr. Samantha Levy! 

We welcome all dysautonomia caregivers (parents, spouses, friends, family, etc.) living in California to attend. The caregiver group is a space for open and supportive discussion related to caring for an individual with dysautonomia. We ask that patients please utilize our other offerings instead of attending this group. Patients are welcome at the monthly support group that typically occurs on the 4th Saturday of the month.

Date: Monday, March 3rd, 2025

Time: 1:00-2:00pm 

Location: Zoom

Sign up: Please sign up through the link below. Please email us with any questions at LADN@la-dn.org.

About Dr. Samantha Levy:

Samantha Levy, Ph.D. is a clinical psychologist who received her Ph.D. from Georgia State University in the Child and Family specialty track. During her clinical, child centered internship at UCLA, she became involved with the Pediatric Pain Program. Subsequently, she obtained her postdoctoral training there. Depending on the specific situation, Dr. Levy works either with whole families, individual children/teens/young adults, or parents. She employs an array of psychological orientations (e.g. CBT, play therapy, mindfulness, hypnotherapy, ACT, IFS), to help the children/teens with their pain and any accompanying emotional issues. She helps the families understand the connection between the physical pain and emotional difficulties (mind/body connection). She teaches parenting skills and helps parents facilitate their child’s difficult, courageous journey back to functioning more fully in the world again. Dr. Levy runs multiple parent groups at the nonprofit Creative Healing for Youth in Pain (CHYP). She is also a contributor to the CHYP parent blog.

Join us for an informative and interactive discussion with Dr. Sahib Khalsa!

Webinar Topic: Interoception and the Heart-Brain Connection in POTS: Initiating an Interactive Dialogue 

When: Monday, February 24th, 12-1pm

Where: Zoom (Register here for the link!)

Description: Interoception—the brain’s ability to sense and interpret signals from within the body—plays a key role in the connection between the heart and brain. In this session, we’ll explore how interoception may contribute to symptoms of POTS and other conditions characterized by dysautonomia and discuss new research on the neurocardiac mechanisms of the condition. This will be an interactive conversation, inviting participants to share their experiences and insights to help shape future research.

About Dr. Sahib Khalsa: Sahib Khalsa, MD, PhD, is a psychiatrist and neuroscientist specializing in interoception—the brain’s ability to sense and interpret internal bodily signals—and its role in mental and physical health. He is an Associate Professor in Residence, Director of Anxiety Disorders Research, and holds the West Innovation Chair at the Semel Institute for Neuroscience and Human Behavior at UCLA. He also directs the Healthy Hearts Behavioral Medicine Program, an interdisciplinary collaboration with the UCLA Cardiac Arrhythmia Center focused on addressing the mental health needs of individuals with heart conditions. Clinically, Dr. Khalsa specializes in treating anxiety and stress disorders, particularly in individuals with cardiac arrhythmias. His research explores how the brain perceives bodily signals during stress, using techniques such as brain imaging, computational modeling, and pharmacological and non-pharmacological interventions. By identifying how these mechanisms contribute to conditions like POTS, his work aims to develop new neuroscience-based treatments that improve symptoms and enhance quality of life.

Join us for our monthly support group for dysautonomia patients living in California. Our support group provides a space for patients to share their experiences related to dysautonomia, as well as an opportunity to provide and receive support from others living with this condition. This meeting will take place in a virtual format via Zoom.

Date: Saturday, February 22nd, 2024

Time: 1:00-2:00pm 

Location: Zoom

Sign up: Please sign up at the link below. Please email us with any questions at LADN@la-dn.org.

Support Group Disclaimer:

Please note this is a patient-run support group. It is not facilitated by a licensed medical or mental health professional. Talk with your doctor before implementing any advice from the group.

Join us for LADN's new Teen Support Group facilitated by clinical psychologist Dr. Samantha Levy!  We welcome all teens (13-18) with dysautonomia who live in California to attend this group.  If you are a dysautonomia patient over the age of 18, we ask that you attend our monthly adult patient support group, which typically occurs on the 4th Saturday of the month.

Date: Thursday, February 20th, 2025

Time: 4:15-5:15pm 

Location: Zoom

Sign up: Sign-ups are required for this meeting - please click the button below. If you have any questions, please email us at LADN@la-dn.org.

About Dr. Samantha Levy:

Samantha Levy, Ph.D. is a clinical psychologist who received her Ph.D. from Georgia State University in the Child and Family specialty track. During her clinical, child centered internship at UCLA, she became involved with the Pediatric Pain Program. Subsequently, she obtained her postdoctoral training there. Depending on the specific situation, Dr. Levy works either with whole families, individual children/teens/young adults, or parents. She employs an array of psychological orientations (e.g. CBT, play therapy, mindfulness, hypnotherapy, ACT, IFS), to help the children/teens with their pain and any accompanying emotional issues. She helps the families understand the connection between the physical pain and emotional difficulties (mind/body connection). She teaches parenting skills and helps parents facilitate their child’s difficult, courageous journey back to functioning more fully in the world again. Dr. Levy runs multiple parent groups at the nonprofit Creative Healing for Youth in Pain (CHYP). She is also a contributor to the CHYP parent blog.

The LADN SickLit Book Club meets quarterly to discuss books that are either written by authors who have experience with chronic illness and disability or deal with those themes in their writing. By celebrating SickLit, our aim is to see shared experiences reflected in literature - both the challenges and the triumphs of life with illness. 

On Tuesday, February 17th from 5-6:30 pm, we will meet to discuss The Framed Women of Ardemore House by Brandy Schillace. You are welcome to attend whether you've read the book or not! We will send out a Zoom link to LADN members that week (please email us if you’d like to join LADN!).

The book is available in paperback, audible, and kindle from Amazon or your local bookseller (such as Vroman’s) and hopefully at your local library too! If you are unable to find it to lend and cannot afford a copy, please email us, and we'll help you get a copy!

The Framed Women of Ardemore House Description:

A sharp, savvy mystery about an autistic editor who inherits a crumbling English estate, only to find herself at the center of a murder investigation when a family portrait vanishes and a dead body turns up.

Jo Jones has always had a little trouble fitting in. As a neurodivergent, hyperlexic book editor and divorced New Yorker transplanted into the English countryside, Jo doesn’t know what stands out more: her Americanisms or her autism.

After losing her job, her mother, and her marriage all in one year, she couldn’t be happier to take possession of a possibly haunted (and clearly unwanted) family estate in North Yorkshire. But when the body of the moody town groundskeeper turns up on her rug with three bullets in his back, Jo finds herself in potential danger—and she’s also a potential suspect. At the same time, a peculiar family portrait vanishes from a secret room in the manor, bearing a strange connection to both the dead body and Jo’s mysterious family history.

With the aid of a Welsh antiques dealer, the morose local detective, and the Irish innkeeper’s wife, Jo embarks on a mission to clear herself of blame and find the missing painting, unearthing a slew of secrets about the town—and herself—along the way. And she’ll have to do it all before the killer strikes again…

Join us for a virtual Mindful Movement Workshop on Friday, February 14th, 5:00-6:00pm, with instructor Lian Norris! Sign up here!

About this workshop:

Lian will be teaching a 1 hr “mindful movement” class for the LADN community! The intention of this class is to provide a safe space for people to explore gentle movement, breath work, and mindfulness while in the comfort of their own homes! This class will utilize both a yoga mat (or any cushion/carpet/rug you may have at home!) and chair to provide various adaptations to fit individuals physical needs. Beginners are welcome! 

Optional Donation: 

This workshop is free for LADN members! However, if you are in a position to make a small donation to help cover the instructor fee for this workshop, we would greatly appreciate it! Donations can be made here!

Suggested items to bring to this workshop: (It’s ok if you don’t have everything!)

• Water/beverage as needed

• Yoga mat (or towel/rug/carpet/cushion)

• Yoga blocks (or throw pillows)

• Yoga blanket (or towel)

• Yoga strap (or towel/belt)

• Chair that doesn’t move -- preferably something light, like a folding chair you can move easily

Other tips: It may be beneficial to position your camera so Lian can see your whole body to be able to provide better individual guidance during the practice! (It is also totally fine if you prefer to have your camera off!)

Sign up for this workshop here! Do you have specific body pain or tightness you’d like to address, positions you’d like to do, or general questions for Lian? Shoot us an email before February 14th, and we’ll let Lian know ahead of time!

About Lian:
Lian is a Los Angeles based yoga instructor and occupational therapist giving compassionate, inclusive, and holistic care to people of all ages, genders, and physical / cognitive abilities. Lian trained In Boston at Down Under School of Yoga. 

Lian specializes in lifestyle certified sensory enhanced trauma-informed yoga training and specializes in working with people with dysautonomia and related health conditions. Her goal is to meet others where they are in their journey of self-discovery. She is passionate about teaching the nourishing benefits of yoga to be applied on & off the mat!  

Sign up for this workshop here to receive the Zoom link!

Disclaimer: By attending this workshop, you understand and acknowledge that the stretches and movements in this class may cause personal injury or exacerbation of symptoms, and you agree not to hold LADN liable for any harm caused by performing the recommended positions/stretches/movements.

Join us for our monthly support group for dysautonomia patients living in California. Our support group provides a space for patients to share their experiences related to dysautonomia, as well as an opportunity to provide and receive support from others living with this condition. This meeting will take place in a virtual format via Zoom.

Date: Wednesday, February 12th

Time: 12:00-1:00pm 

Location: Zoom

Sign up: Please sign up at the link below. Please email us with any questions at LADN@la-dn.org.

Support Group Disclaimer:

Please note this is a patient-run support group. It is not facilitated by a licensed medical or mental health professional. Talk with your doctor before implementing any advice from the group.

Join us for LADN's Caregiver Support Group facilitated by clinical psychologist Dr. Samantha Levy! 

We welcome all dysautonomia caregivers (parents, spouses, friends, family, etc.) living in California to attend. The caregiver group is a space for open and supportive discussion related to caring for an individual with dysautonomia. We ask that patients please utilize our other offerings instead of attending this group. Patients are welcome at the monthly support group that typically occurs on the 4th Saturday of the month.

Date: Monday, February 3rd, 2024

Time: 1:00-2:00pm 

Location: Zoom

Sign up: Please sign up through the link below. Please email us with any questions at LADN@la-dn.org.

About Dr. Samantha Levy:

Samantha Levy, Ph.D. is a clinical psychologist who received her Ph.D. from Georgia State University in the Child and Family specialty track. During her clinical, child centered internship at UCLA, she became involved with the Pediatric Pain Program. Subsequently, she obtained her postdoctoral training there. Depending on the specific situation, Dr. Levy works either with whole families, individual children/teens/young adults, or parents. She employs an array of psychological orientations (e.g. CBT, play therapy, mindfulness, hypnotherapy, ACT, IFS), to help the children/teens with their pain and any accompanying emotional issues. She helps the families understand the connection between the physical pain and emotional difficulties (mind/body connection). She teaches parenting skills and helps parents facilitate their child’s difficult, courageous journey back to functioning more fully in the world again. Dr. Levy runs multiple parent groups at the nonprofit Creative Healing for Youth in Pain (CHYP). She is also a contributor to the CHYP parent blog.

Join us for our monthly support group for dysautonomia patients living in California. Our support group provides a space for patients to share their experiences related to dysautonomia, as well as an opportunity to provide and receive support from others living with this condition. This meeting will take place in a virtual format via Zoom.

Date: Saturday, January 25th, 2024

Time: 1:00-2:00pm 

Location: Zoom

Sign up: Please sign up at the link below. Please email us with any questions at LADN@la-dn.org.

Support Group Disclaimer:

Please note this is a patient-run support group. It is not facilitated by a licensed medical or mental health professional. Talk with your doctor before implementing any advice from the group.

Join us for LADN's new Teen Support Group facilitated by clinical psychologist Dr. Samantha Levy!  We welcome all teens (13-18) with dysautonomia who live in California to attend this group.  If you are a dysautonomia patient over the age of 18, we ask that you attend our monthly adult patient support group, which typically occurs on the 4th Saturday of the month.

Date: Thursday, January 23rd, 2025

Time: 4:15-5:15pm 

Location: Zoom

Sign up: Sign-ups are required for this meeting - please click the button below. If you have any questions, please email us at LADN@la-dn.org.

About Dr. Samantha Levy:

Samantha Levy, Ph.D. is a clinical psychologist who received her Ph.D. from Georgia State University in the Child and Family specialty track. During her clinical, child centered internship at UCLA, she became involved with the Pediatric Pain Program. Subsequently, she obtained her postdoctoral training there. Depending on the specific situation, Dr. Levy works either with whole families, individual children/teens/young adults, or parents. She employs an array of psychological orientations (e.g. CBT, play therapy, mindfulness, hypnotherapy, ACT, IFS), to help the children/teens with their pain and any accompanying emotional issues. She helps the families understand the connection between the physical pain and emotional difficulties (mind/body connection). She teaches parenting skills and helps parents facilitate their child’s difficult, courageous journey back to functioning more fully in the world again. Dr. Levy runs multiple parent groups at the nonprofit Creative Healing for Youth in Pain (CHYP). She is also a contributor to the CHYP parent blog.

Due to the devastation of the fires, we will be holding an additional support group meeting this Monday, January 13th at 6pm PST on Zoom (in addition to our regularly occurring events). 🩵💜 We invite all LADN community members to join us. The Zoom link was sent to our email list. If you're not on our email list, feel free to reach out at LADN@la-dn.org for the link.⁠

Date: Monday, January 13th, 2024

Time: 6:00-7:00pm 

Location: Zoom (No sign up required. The Zoom link was emailed out)

Please email us with any questions at LADN@la-dn.org.

Support Group Disclaimer:

Please note this is a patient-run support group. It is not facilitated by a licensed medical or mental health professional. Talk with your doctor before implementing any advice from the group.

Join us for a virtual Mindful Movement Workshop on Friday, January 10th, 5:00-6:00pm, with instructor Lian Norris! Sign up here!

About this workshop:

Lian will be teaching a 1 hr “mindful movement” class for the LADN community! The intention of this class is to provide a safe space for people to explore gentle movement, breath work, and mindfulness while in the comfort of their own homes! This class will utilize both a yoga mat (or any cushion/carpet/rug you may have at home!) and chair to provide various adaptations to fit individuals physical needs. Beginners are welcome! 

Share your feedback about what exercises you prefer/enjoy in the class on this brief survey!

Optional Donation: 

This workshop is free for LADN members! However, if you are in a position to make a small donation to help cover the instructor fee for this workshop, we would greatly appreciate it! Donations can be made here!

Suggested items to bring to this workshop: (It’s ok if you don’t have everything!)

• Water/beverage as needed

• Yoga mat (or towel/rug/carpet/cushion)

• Yoga blocks (or throw pillows)

• Yoga blanket (or towel)

• Yoga strap (or towel/belt)

• Chair that doesn’t move -- preferably something light, like a folding chair you can move easily

Other tips: It may be beneficial to position your camera so Lian can see your whole body to be able to provide better individual guidance during the practice! (It is also totally fine if you prefer to have your camera off!)

Sign up for this workshop here! Do you have specific body pain or tightness you’d like to address, positions you’d like to do, or general questions for Lian? Shoot us an email before January 10th, and we’ll let Lian know ahead of time!

About Lian:
Lian is a Los Angeles based yoga instructor and occupational therapist giving compassionate, inclusive, and holistic care to people of all ages, genders, and physical / cognitive abilities. Lian trained In Boston at Down Under School of Yoga. 

Lian specializes in lifestyle certified sensory enhanced trauma-informed yoga training and specializes in working with people with dysautonomia and related health conditions. Her goal is to meet others where they are in their journey of self-discovery. She is passionate about teaching the nourishing benefits of yoga to be applied on & off the mat!  

Sign up for this workshop here to receive the Zoom link!

Disclaimer: By attending this workshop, you understand and acknowledge that the stretches and movements in this class may cause personal injury or exacerbation of symptoms, and you agree not to hold LADN liable for any harm caused by performing the recommended positions/stretches/movements.

Join us for some wintery holiday fun! RSVP here!

What: LADN’s annual holiday party & white elephant gift exchange! Holiday-themed attire encouraged!

When: Saturday, December 14th, 2-4pm

Where: A private garden in Pasadena. RSVP here to receive the event address!

Optional White Elephant Gift Exchange: We’ll be playing an (optional) white elephant gift exchange game! If you’d like to participate, please bring a wrapped gift (with value $25 or less) that has no tags/labels. White elephant gifts can be silly, impractical, serious... or just about anything!

Food/Drink: We’ll be supplying holiday cookies and hot chocolate! Feel free to bring any other snacks/drinks that you’d like to share!

A note about COVID/general safety: We will be outside and expect everyone to take the necessary precautions to maintain everyone's health. If you have any (contagious) symptoms, please do not attend. Masking is optional. By attending this event, you agree not to hold LADN or the homeowners liable for any risks (COVID or otherwise) associated with gathering. Thank you for understanding, and please feel free to reach out with any questions.

Join us for a virtual gentle yoga workshop on Friday, December 13th, 5:00-6:00pm, with yoga teacher Lian Norris! Sign up here!

About this workshop:

Lian will be teaching a 1 hr gentle online yoga flow class for the LADN community! The intention of this class is to provide a safe space for people to explore movement, breath work, and mindfulness while in the comfort of their own homes! This class will utilize both a yoga mat (or any cushion/carpet/rug you may have at home!) and chair to provide various adaptations to fit individuals physical needs. Beginners are welcome! 

Optional Donation: 

This workshop is free for LADN members! However, if you are in a position to make a small donation to help cover the instructor fee for this workshop, we would greatly appreciate it! Donations can be made here!

Suggested items to bring to this workshop: (It’s ok if you don’t have everything!)

• Water/beverage as needed

• Yoga mat (or towel/rug/carpet/cushion)

• Yoga blocks (or throw pillows)

• Yoga blanket (or towel)

• Yoga strap (or towel/belt)

• Chair that doesn’t move -- preferably something light, like a folding chair you can move easily

Other tips: It may be beneficial to position your camera so Lian can see your whole body to be able to provide better individual guidance during the practice! (It is also totally fine if you prefer to have your camera off!)

Sign up for this workshop here! Do you have specific body pain or tightness you’d like to address, positions you’d like to do, or general questions for Lian? Shoot us an email before October 25th, and we’ll let Lian know ahead of time!

About Lian:
Lian is a Los Angeles based yoga instructor and occupational therapist giving compassionate, inclusive, and holistic care to people of all ages, genders, and physical / cognitive abilities. Lian trained In Boston at Down Under School of Yoga. 

Lian specializes in lifestyle certified sensory enhanced trauma-informed yoga training and specializes in working with people with dysautonomia and related health conditions. Her goal is to meet others where they are in their journey of self-discovery. She is passionate about teaching the nourishing benefits of yoga to be applied on & off the mat!  

Sign up for this workshop here to receive the Zoom link!

Disclaimer: By attending this workshop, you understand and acknowledge that the stretches and movements in this class may cause personal injury or exacerbation of symptoms, and you agree not to hold LADN liable for any harm caused by performing the recommended positions/stretches/movements.

Join us for LADN's Caregiver Support Group facilitated by clinical psychologist Dr. Samantha Levy! 

We welcome all dysautonomia caregivers (parents, spouses, friends, family, etc.) living in California to attend. The caregiver group is a space for open and supportive discussion related to caring for an individual with dysautonomia. We ask that patients please utilize our other offerings instead of attending this group. Patients are welcome at the monthly support group that typically occurs on the 4th Saturday of the month.

Date: Monday, December 9th, 2024

Time: 1:00-2:00pm 

Location: Zoom (We'll email out the Zoom link a few days beforehand -- there's no need to sign up in advance. If you're not on our email list and would like to attend, please send us an email to LADN@la-dn.org.) 

About Dr. Samantha Levy:

Samantha Levy, Ph.D. is a clinical psychologist who received her Ph.D. from Georgia State University in the Child and Family specialty track. During her clinical, child centered internship at UCLA, she became involved with the Pediatric Pain Program. Subsequently, she obtained her postdoctoral training there. Depending on the specific situation, Dr. Levy works either with whole families, individual children/teens/young adults, or parents. She employs an array of psychological orientations (e.g. CBT, play therapy, mindfulness, hypnotherapy, ACT, IFS), to help the children/teens with their pain and any accompanying emotional issues. She helps the families understand the connection between the physical pain and emotional difficulties (mind/body connection). She teaches parenting skills and helps parents facilitate their child’s difficult, courageous journey back to functioning more fully in the world again. Dr. Levy runs multiple parent groups at the nonprofit Creative Healing for Youth in Pain (CHYP). She is also a contributor to the CHYP parent blog.

Join us for our monthly support group for dysautonomia patients living in the Los Angeles area. Our support group provides a space for patients to share their experiences related to dysautonomia, as well as an opportunity to provide and receive support from others living with this condition. This meeting will take place in a virtual format via Zoom. Please email LADN@la-dn.org if you are interested in attending and would like to receive the meeting link.

Support Group Disclaimer:

Please note this is a community organized support group. It is not facilitated by a licensed medical or mental health professional. Talk with your doctor before implementing any advice from the group.

Join us for a live webinar on Mastering POTS: Understanding its Mechanisms & Lifestyle Approaches to Symptoms Relief with Dr. Cynthia Thaik, board-certified cardiologist and founder of Holistic Healing Heart Center!

Date: Friday, November 22

Time: 12:00-1:00pm

Location: Zoom. Registration is required for this webinar! You will receive the Zoom link once you register.

About this talk:

In this talk, we'll demystify Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome (POTS), explaining its root causes and how the body's autonomic responses contribute to symptoms. We’ll focus on empowering patients with practical, non-pharmacological interventions to manage POTS, starting with hydration, nutrition, and tailored exercise plans. Stress management techniques and strategies for rebalancing the autonomic nervous system will also be explored. Exploring the powerful impact of lifestyle changes, this session will offer actionable tools to improve well-being and regain control over daily life.

About Dr. Thaik:

Dr. Cynthia Thaik is an experienced and trusted internist and cardiologist and the author of the book, Your Vibrant Heart: Restoring Health, Strength and Spirit from the Body’s Core. As founder of the Holistic Healing Heart Center, she combines her extensive training in traditional Western Medicine with a wide array of evidence-based alternative therapies. Having trained at two of the country’s most prestigious medical schools, Harvard University and the University of Chicago, Dr. Thaik always seeks to understand and treat the root cause of health issues and focuses on prevention. She is not only praised by patients for her extensive knowledge and skill but also her willingness to listen and answer questions. She understands how lifestyle choices, environmental exposures, and genetics, uniquely influence each patient’s health. Her therapeutic recommendations draw on extensive modalities including the latest in advanced cardiology diagnostic tools, nutritional support and supplements, lifestyle, sleep patterns, and mindfulness practices.

Join us for an in-person support group with therapy dogs from Love on a Leash! *RSVP required!*

Date: Saturday, November 16th

Time: 1:00-3:00pm (Love on a Leash volunteers and therapy dogs will be in attendance from 1-2pm, but we welcome you to stay and hang out until 3pm!)

Location: We will be meeting in an outdoor garden at a private residence in Pasadena. Please RSVP here to receive the address!

This will be a very laid back, non-traditional support group! This support group is an opportunity to connect and chat with other LADN members while enjoying the comfort of volunteer therapy dog teams from local chapters of Love on a Leash!

Disclaimer: We will be outside and expect everyone to take the necessary precautions to maintain everyone's health. If you have any (contagious) symptoms, please do not attend. Masking is optional. By attending this event, you agree not to hold LADN liable for any risks (COVID or otherwise) associated with gathering. 

This is a patient organized support group. It is not facilitated by a licensed medical or mental health professional. Talk with your doctor before implementing any advice from the group.

Volunteers and therapy dogs from local chapter of Love on a Leash will be present at this event. LADN is not liable for any incidents related to the presence of Love on a Leash volunteers and dogs. 

Thank you for understanding, and please feel free to reach out with any questions. Email us with questions or concerns at LADN@la-dn.org.

The LADN SickLit Book Club meets quarterly to discuss books that are either written by authors who have experience with chronic illness and disability or deal with those themes in their writing. By celebrating SickLit, our aim is to see shared experiences reflected in literature - both the challenges and the triumphs of life with illness. 

On Tuesday, November 12th from 5-6:30 pm, we will meet to discuss Get a Life, Chloe Brown by Talia Hibbert. You are welcome to attend whether you've read the book or not! We will send out a Zoom link to LADN members that week (please email us if you’d like to join LADN!).

The book is available in paperback, audible, and kindle from Amazon or your local bookseller (such as The Ripped Bodice) and hopefully at your local library too! If you are unable to find it to lend and cannot afford a copy, please email us, and we'll help you get a copy!

Get a Life, Chloe Brown Description:

“Chloe Brown is a chronically ill computer geek with a goal, a plan, and a list. After almost—but not quite—dying, she’s come up with six directives to help her “Get a Life”, and she’s already completed the first: finally moving out of her glamourous family’s mansion. The next items?

• Enjoy a drunken night out.
• Ride a motorcycle.
• Go camping.
• Have meaningless but thoroughly enjoyable sex.
• Travel the world with nothing but hand luggage.
• And... do something bad.

But it’s not easy being bad, even when you’ve written step-by-step guidelines on how to do it correctly. What Chloe needs is a teacher, and she knows just the man for the job.

Redford ‘Red’ Morgan is a handyman with tattoos, a motorcycle, and more sex appeal than ten-thousand Hollywood heartthrobs. He’s also an artist who paints at night and hides his work in the light of day, which Chloe knows because she spies on him occasionally. Just the teeniest, tiniest bit.

But when she enlists Red in her mission to rebel, she learns things about him that no spy session could teach her. Like why he clearly resents Chloe’s wealthy background. And why he never shows his art to anyone. And what really lies beneath his rough exterior…”

Join us for a virtual gentle yoga workshop on Friday, November 8th, 5:00-6:00pm, with yoga teacher Lian Norris! Sign up here!

About this workshop:

Lian will be teaching a 1 hr gentle online yoga flow class for the LADN community! The intention of this class is to provide a safe space for people to explore movement, breath work, and mindfulness while in the comfort of their own homes! This class will utilize both a yoga mat (or any cushion/carpet/rug you may have at home!) and chair to provide various adaptations to fit individuals physical needs. Beginners are welcome! 

Optional Donation: 

This workshop is free for LADN members! However, if you are in a position to make a small donation to help cover the instructor fee for this workshop, we would greatly appreciate it! Donations can be made here!

Suggested items to bring to this workshop: (It’s ok if you don’t have everything!)

• Water/beverage as needed

• Yoga mat (or towel/rug/carpet/cushion)

• Yoga blocks (or throw pillows)

• Yoga blanket (or towel)

• Yoga strap (or towel/belt)

• Chair that doesn’t move -- preferably something light, like a folding chair you can move easily

Other tips: It may be beneficial to position your camera so Lian can see your whole body to be able to provide better individual guidance during the practice! (It is also totally fine if you prefer to have your camera off!)

Sign up for this workshop here! Do you have specific body pain or tightness you’d like to address, positions you’d like to do, or general questions for Lian? Shoot us an email before October 25th, and we’ll let Lian know ahead of time!

About Lian:
Lian is a Los Angeles based yoga instructor and occupational therapist giving compassionate, inclusive, and holistic care to people of all ages, genders, and physical / cognitive abilities. Lian trained In Boston at Down Under School of Yoga. 

Lian specializes in lifestyle certified sensory enhanced trauma-informed yoga training and specializes in working with people with dysautonomia and related health conditions. Her goal is to meet others where they are in their journey of self-discovery. She is passionate about teaching the nourishing benefits of yoga to be applied on & off the mat!  

Sign up for this workshop here to receive the Zoom link!

Disclaimer: By attending this workshop, you understand and acknowledge that the stretches and movements in this class may cause personal injury or exacerbation of symptoms, and you agree not to hold LADN liable for any harm caused by performing the recommended positions/stretches/movements.

Join us for LADN's Caregiver Support Group facilitated by clinical psychologist Dr. Samantha Levy! 

We welcome all dysautonomia caregivers (parents, spouses, friends, family, etc.) living in California to attend. The caregiver group is a space for open and supportive discussion related to caring for an individual with dysautonomia. We ask that patients please utilize our other offerings instead of attending this group. Patients are welcome at the monthly support group that typically occurs on the 4th Saturday of the month.

Date: Monday, November 4th, 2024

Time: 1:00-2:00pm 

Location: Zoom (We'll email out the Zoom link a few days beforehand -- there's no need to sign up in advance. If you're not on our email list and would like to attend, please send us an email to LADN@la-dn.org.) 

About Dr. Samantha Levy:

Samantha Levy, Ph.D. is a clinical psychologist who received her Ph.D. from Georgia State University in the Child and Family specialty track. During her clinical, child centered internship at UCLA, she became involved with the Pediatric Pain Program. Subsequently, she obtained her postdoctoral training there. Depending on the specific situation, Dr. Levy works either with whole families, individual children/teens/young adults, or parents. She employs an array of psychological orientations (e.g. CBT, play therapy, mindfulness, hypnotherapy, ACT, IFS), to help the children/teens with their pain and any accompanying emotional issues. She helps the families understand the connection between the physical pain and emotional difficulties (mind/body connection). She teaches parenting skills and helps parents facilitate their child’s difficult, courageous journey back to functioning more fully in the world again. Dr. Levy runs multiple parent groups at the nonprofit Creative Healing for Youth in Pain (CHYP). She is also a contributor to the CHYP parent blog.

Join us for a virtual Halloween move night!

Date: Wednesday, October 30th at 7:00pm (*this is the DELAYED date — originally scheduled for Tuesday, October 29th!)

We’ll be streaming Practical Magic over Zoom! Grab your salty popcorn & electrolyte beverage, and tune in for a fun movie with the LADN community from the comfort of your couch!

There is no need to sign up for this event! We’ll be emailing out the Zoom link to all LADN members the week of the event. If you’re not on our email list and want to attend, please send us a message at LADN@la-dn.org!

Join us for our monthly support group for dysautonomia patients living in the Los Angeles area. Our support group provides a space for patients to share their experiences related to dysautonomia, as well as an opportunity to provide and receive support from others living with this condition. This meeting will take place in a virtual format via Zoom. Please email LADN@la-dn.org if you are interested in attending and would like to receive the meeting link.

Support Group Disclaimer:

Please note this is a community organized support group. It is not facilitated by a licensed medical or mental health professional. Talk with your doctor before implementing any advice from the group.

Join us for a virtual gentle yoga workshop on Friday, October 25th, 5:00-6:00pm, with yoga teacher Lian Norris! Sign up here!

About this workshop:

Lian will be teaching a 1 hr gentle online yoga flow class for the LADN community! The intention of this class is to provide a safe space for people to explore movement, breath work, and mindfulness while in the comfort of their own homes! This class will utilize both a yoga mat (or any cushion/carpet/rug you may have at home!) and chair to provide various adaptations to fit individuals physical needs. Beginners are welcome! 

Optional Donation: 

This workshop is free for LADN members! However, if you are in a position to make a small donation to help cover the instructor fee for this workshop, we would greatly appreciate it! Donations can be made here!

Suggested items to bring to this workshop: (It’s ok if you don’t have everything!)

• Water/beverage as needed

• Yoga mat (or towel/rug/carpet/cushion)

• Yoga blocks (or throw pillows)

• Yoga blanket (or towel)

• Yoga strap (or towel/belt)

• Chair that doesn’t move -- preferably something light, like a folding chair you can move easily

Other tips: It may be beneficial to position your camera so Lian can see your whole body to be able to provide better individual guidance during the practice! (It is also totally fine if you prefer to have your camera off!)

Sign up for this workshop here! Do you have specific body pain or tightness you’d like to address, positions you’d like to do, or general questions for Lian? Shoot us an email before October 25th, and we’ll let Lian know ahead of time!

About Lian:
Lian is a Los Angeles based yoga instructor and occupational therapist giving compassionate, inclusive, and holistic care to people of all ages, genders, and physical / cognitive abilities. Lian trained In Boston at Down Under School of Yoga. 

Lian specializes in lifestyle certified sensory enhanced trauma-informed yoga training and specializes in working with people with dysautonomia and related health conditions. Her goal is to meet others where they are in their journey of self-discovery. She is passionate about teaching the nourishing benefits of yoga to be applied on & off the mat!  

Sign up for this workshop here to receive the Zoom link!

Disclaimer: By attending this workshop, you understand and acknowledge that the stretches and movements in this class may cause personal injury or exacerbation of symptoms, and you agree not to hold LADN liable for any harm caused by performing the recommended positions/stretches/movements.