Changing States

Changing our day doesn’t require changing our scenery (though that often helps, too!).  A simple scan of the body when doing any activity will help determine where you are and a simple read of this post will help you sort out how to nudge your self and your body back to balance.

Quickly check – what muscles are engaged right now.  Is your foot taught, or is your diaphragm or shoulders engaged?  Even when we think we’re resting we oftentimes are not and it isn’t until we tell ourselves to relax a specific muscle, do we actually do it (flashback to your first guided savasana – the resting pose at the end of a good yoga class).

To change your state, practice reorienting yourself with your parasympathetic nervous system (the under-appreciated system that’s associated with decreased heart rate and pain perception, increased restful sleep, and deep breathing.

The body’s sympathetic nervous system (think: fight or flight) is brilliant and serves to keep us alive in times of stress, but after prolonged engaged sympathetic responses, the body becomes fatigued, the immune system depleted, irritability, depression, distractions, elevated blood sugar and weight gain are known to follow.

Ok, I know how to take deep breaths.  How do I physically engage my parasympathetic system?

Enter (or re-enter) Yoga:

• Need to feel centered? Do seated/lying down postures.
• Stressed about a difficult conversation? Do chest openers (this also works to energize yourself)
• Need to get over some emotional heavies? Do hip openers and restorative poses 
• In search of patience?  Forward bends to the rescue:
• Seeking strength? Any standing or warrior pose will do: 
• Need a good cleanse? Do any matter of twists:

Sure, it’s hard to change your state of mind permanently, but you can keep health problems associated with heightened bodily stress at bay…and optimize your emotional health as well.  And bit by bit, we can change our state without changing our scenery.

Peace is within reach and is only a stretch a way.  This gentle reminder is brought to you by the sisters of House of Steep and Mind Your Body Oasis.