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Sara Banyan

@sarabanyan

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Trauma healing one story at a time. Coach

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Someone recently sent me a message asking how I was doing. She said she hadn’t seen me post in a while.

I was so happy to hear from her—and so excited by the news she shared with me. It reminded me that sometimes you can have an impact on someone’s life in just a few minutes, and the ripple of that connection can be felt long after.

I haven’t known what to say here lately—or felt like I had the space to say it. And yet, this community means so much to me.

The truth is, I’ve been buried in a world of healing and taking a deep dive into childhood sexual abuse.

I know—it’s not a super-fun subject. It can be a conversation stopper, which I have experienced. Probably because I’ll talk about it anywhere, with anyone, at any time.

To me, it’s a heck of a lot better than talking about the weather.

But it’s not for everyone, that’s for sure.

It is, however, what I’m here to talk about—and that’s exactly what I’m going to do.

Just not today.

Today, it’s enough to say that I am a survivor. I am here. I am healing. And I can’t wait to share with you the work I’ve been doing.

I think the world needs it.

I know it does.

Sending anyone reading this a big hug and a lot of love. by @sarabanyan

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24 days ago

Life is beautiful ❤️ by @sarabanyan

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2 months ago

I came home to face the place where it happened.
I know we are stronger than our deepest shame when we bring it to the light.
I have been fighting my whole life. And it was time to stop.
To stay. To listen. To learn so that I can lead.
You are not the thing that happened to you.
I Believe You — film and book coming soon. by @sarabanyan

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6 months ago

What a year it has been.

I closed my acting studio after nineteen years of being a coach.
I applied to graduate school and was rejected.

Someone asked me why I was applying in the first place. It was an excellent question.

“Legitimacy,” I said.

He paused.
“Well… don’t you already have that?”

I began writing that day.

My book on trauma healing will come out next year alongside the film I Believe You, which I have been working on for over three years. Link in bio if you are able to contribute it’s greatly appreciated 🙏🏻🫶🏻.

I opened a 501c A Place To Call Home Org. Which will be a healing space for kids aging out of the foster system. I’m looking forward to focusing my attention fully on what’s next…
while loving what has been.

I am taking more time away from social media, which has started to feel like one long advertisement, and returning to nature, to presence, to the bigger picture.

Finding my inner voice, the one that is free from trauma and impostor syndrome, feels like I am just beginning to live.

And it is beautiful.

My goal is to help as many people as I can while I am here. To do that, I need time away from stimulation and from noise.

The quiet, at first, feels like withdrawal. Hurky jerky. Uncomfortable.

But through yoga, breath, and listening with curiosity, I reach the other side more quickly now.

Thank you to anyone who read this far. And to those of you who have messaged me about a post, please know it means more than you realize.

I will be offline for a few weeks.

Wishing you a restorative time and a New Year filled with purpose and hope.

Fall in love with life.
And most importantly, with yourself.

Much love,
Sara by @sarabanyan

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9 months ago

Wishing you and yours love and light from me and Bella. 🤍🌲💕🙏🏻🦋 by @sarabanyan

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9 months ago

“Leave the world alone, you gain it.”
Vedanta Treatise

There is so much coming out right now that can be deeply triggering. So I am off my phone more.

A year and a half ago, I made a personal choice to step away from prescription medication so I could learn how to self regulate. Part of that choice means being mindful of how much stimulation I take in. And truthfully, we are surrounded.

For me, this looks like slowing down. Getting quiet. Listening to my thoughts. Rewiring the negative ones.

Being in LA has me feeling untethered. And in many ways, I am. I am taking a giant leap into the unknown.

People keep asking what is next as I transition into healing work and the nonprofit world.

My answer has not changed.

“I don’t know the next step. I just keep taking one.”

We are all figuring out what works during our time here. There is no single right way, only finding your own. Be gentle with yourself. Take time for breath and connection. The holidays can bring a lot to the surface, and the world can feel unsteady. Find your peace. Protect your nervous system.

It is going to be ok. 🤍🦋🐦‍🔥 by @sarabanyan

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9 months ago

India met me where I was and asked me to face what I still carried.

It’s taken me some time to post. I was told that India will have you face yourself, and in many ways that was my experience.

The day I arrived, an uprising began. Within days the hotel gates were closing and police were called. I was at the epicenter. It was surreal to be unable to go out and still continue the planned yoga sessions with a teacher named Sony.

In my last session, Sony had me stare at a flame and encouraged me to forgive and let go. My body began to shake. My left shoulder jumped involuntarily. Tears streamed down my face.

“Ok, ok let’s stop,” she said thirty minutes in. “What are you experiencing?”

My answer was simple.

“You said forgive everybody… does that include those who harm children? Do we forgive them when what I experienced was evil?”

I took a breath and centered myself. “And I have forgiven, or I wouldn’t be where I am. That was just the PTSD. Honestly, Sony, I’m really good.”

Inside, something began to shine again. Deeper this time. I felt completely and utterly good. Something I’ve been working toward for a long time. Filled with sunshine and gratitude. Regulated. Walls dropping.

Sony paused, tilted her head, and said softly, “You are a very deep thinker. An old soul, I think.”

I left early the next morning to get out of that area of Mumbai. I was able to see old students and meet new friends. Mainly, I spent time with myself in quiet while surrounded by the loudest city I’ve ever known.

I spoke with many of the people who make these beautiful hotels and experiences possible. The ones who clean, serve, carry, and care. We need to do better by them. Everyone deserves a living wage and a quality of life.

I came back trusting and loving on a deeper level.

Now, as I transition fully into trauma healing and bringing I Believe You to the world, I want to encourage anyone still reading this to begin fully and completely listening to your inner voice—outside of imposters.

Take your time with your healing journey.
Trust that no matter what happens, we will be ok.
Breathe.
Listen.
And stare into the flame #Love #Healing #Hope #IBelieveYou #TraumaRecovery #❤️ by @sarabanyan

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a year ago

Sometimes all it takes is not giving up. And being brave enough to ask for help.

For the past three years I’ve been creating a film for survivors of childhood and teen SA trauma. It’s called I Believe You-formerly Transforming Trauma. Trigger warning

This project began because I spent most of my life searching for answers. Wondering what was wrong with me. The truth is, I wasn’t broken. I was rewired by abuse. And that wiring shaped everything. How I saw myself, how I loved, how I survived.

Now, after years of healing and facing it all, I’m grateful for every part of the journey that brought me here. Because it led to this work. To a place where I can help others find their way too.

I believe survivors will change the world.

If you’re able to donate or share, every tax deductible gift helps us finish this film and reach the people who need it most. 🔗 in bio. #♥️ #traumahealing #compassion #filmfunding #kindness #heal #SA #survivor #love #understanding #listen #ibelieveyou by @sarabanyan

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a year ago

How are you all doing?
Some of you may have seen that I wrote a book @datingfordudes….
I had a lot of advice for dudes after being on the dating circuit. And while some married folks may dream of freedom, most of the ones I know are rocking it! They love being married in a way that’s super inspiring. So many single people are searching for our person and it can feel harder than ever to meet and find magic.
Some of the time I still feel a tad pathetic for not being in a relationship. I’ve been judged for that. So silly. It needs to be embraced and celebrated. I’ve learned to love being single. I’ve had some good times. But it takes a certain kind of strength to go home to your fur kid and yourself after spending time with friends who are going home to partners…Especially when the world is on fire. Yet that has made me strong. And given me purpose. I’ve been working on things I’ll be proud to share.
Three years ago I met a Dr. in Costa Rica. We connected 😉A year later he moved back to India. We kept in touch. After three years of kissy messages, I thought it was time to see if this was my guy. He gave me dates. I booked the flight. He ghosted me a few weeks ago. Turns out @Virgin doesn’t offer airline credit. Which is not cool in today’s world and I’m not paying for travel insurance bs…. Here is the thing, I’m grateful. Because now, I’m not going for him. I’m going for me. For the collective and community. My Tree family. To learn. And to heal.
This is what rewiring looks like. You face some fear. You reassure, rewrite and rewire. You don’t collapse back into the old story. You keep choosing the new path.
Traveling solo is not always that Eat Pray Love thing. When you’re surrounded by families and couples, it can be hard to feel at peace and in love with life…. But hard is not impossible :). #DatingAfterHealing
#Ghosted #YesIloveThisSweatshirt
#SoloButStrong #Rewire
#TravelToHeal #LoveLifeIsTheWork #Light
#HealingInMotion
#TheLanguageOfInvisibleScars
#LoveAfterTrauma
#RewiringMyLife
#♥️ by @sarabanyan

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a year ago

So many things are happening while I’ve been in a bit of a cave.
I’ve been working hard and keeping my energy inward. Letting go of judgment, releasing expectation. Being and observing.
It’s allowing a level of evolution I’ve not experienced.
I’m revisiting trauma every day to find the path toward deep healing, so that I can help more people.
It’s painful but also filled with moments of clarity and light. Choose to save you.
No course or magic will do that for you.
It takes getting quiet. Facing you.
It takes going against the speed and noise of the world, and turning inward. And allowing your own breath and energy to be the medicine. You can do this. Take your time. You can’t rush your healing.
The world will be here in beautiful chaos, ready for your light and your fight when you emerge stronger than before.
Lead with love.
Start with love for what is within.
#Healing #TraumaRecovery #Work #Rewire #ToLoveYourself #Warrior #EarthTime #YouAreWorthy #SA #Compassion #GiveWithLove #HappyGiving #WeCanMakeADifference #Love #♥️ #🦋 by @sarabanyan

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a year ago

Time for change. Lead the charge or rise with the wave. Women must be valued, respected, and heard.
#ItsTime by @sarabanyan

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a year ago

I’ve gotten quiet lately.
A bit bear.
A bit caterpillar.

I’ve been in mourning—
letting go of a company I spent 15 years building,
finding new partnerships,
going out on my own,
shedding relationships.

Realizing that some people aren’t meant to last a whole book,
or even an entire chapter.
Sometimes one sentence changes everything.
And a lesson is gained.

As a single woman walking this world,
I’m finding it’s easier now to go against the current.
And it’s turning out to be quite wonderful.

A year ago this July, I was challenged to fall in love with life—
and it’s been a heck of a journey.

I don’t have a lot to say right now.
I’ve been writing elsewhere, and I’ll be stepping away from social media for a bit.

There’s so around mental health now —
and I want to be intentional with mine.

So for now, I’m focused on healing.
Physically. Emotionally.
So I can fully emerge when the timing is right.

The work I’ve been practicing:
Surrendering and trusting.
Letting go.
Stopping the force.
Finding flow.
Slowing down.
Self-soothing.
Turning love inward.

Calming and healing my nervous system.
Breathing.
Releasing.
Exhaling.
Resetting.
Reworking my internal world.

It’s been humbling.

To anyone reading this, I’m sending you so much love.

I stopped waiting for something to happen to make me feel better—
and started wiring my system to feel better now.
Today.
From within.

It’s a really cool feeling.
Ty @mariposa.pictures for this shoot 🫶🏻🤍
#Love
#mentalwellbeing #life #traumahealing #traumainformedcare #breath #hope #lessons #workinprogress #♥️ by @sarabanyan

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a year ago