An oldie but a goodie! From obese, disabled and in pain, Arthur Boorman transformed with yoga! His motto: 1. START. 2. DON’T QUIT! I love that!!! Daily yoga and meditation practice WILL transform you too, from the inside out.
Esther is one of my inspiring yoga students! She sends me many interesting and heartfelt emails, one of which is this article that she has generously agreed to let me post here. I love these easy ways to bring ‘Calm and Collect’ into my day! I think you’ll enjoy this too:
One of the most exciting discoveries of modern neurobiology has been the role of oxytocin—the hormone released through warmth, touch, and movement—in generating feelings of deep connection and well-being. Oxytocin is the brain’s naturally occurring neurotransmitter of “calm and connect.” Oxytocin is what spurs us to “tend and befriend” rather than fight, flee, or freeze when we’re stressed. Oxytocin acts as a rapid down-regulator of our body’s stress response; it is the brain’s direct and immediate antidote to the stress hormone cortisol and it is the neurochemical foundation of trust and connection.
The fastest way to release oxytocin and come into a state of calm, connection, trust, and belonging is through warm, safe touch. Any warm, loving touch—hugs, snuggles, holding hands, partner dancing, cuddles with a pet, massage, or bodywork—can trigger the release of oxytocin and bring the body back into a state of calm and peacefulness. Even our own touch, as a reminder of the touch of others, can have this result.
Researchers have demonstrated that a single exposure to oxytocin can create a lifelong change in the brain. The exercises below offer ways to use touch to intentionally activate the release of this neurochemical balm and bring our nervous system back into equilibrium, back into our range of resilience.
“Oxytocin has a short half-life in the brain—it’s gone in just a matter of minutes,” writes Daniel Goleman in Social Intelligence. “But every hug, friendly touch, and affectionate moment may prime this neurochemical balm a bit.”
One fun way to stimulate oxytocin release is a gentle, two-minute head rub. You can massage your own head, of course, and you can easily practice this exercise with a partner, a family member, a friend. Use your fingers to gently massage the scalp, forehead, nose, jaws, and ears. The touch, warmth, and movement release the oxytocin in your brain, lowering your blood pressure and calming racing thoughts. These brief moments of safe and loving touch give you a few moments’ respite from stress and pressure, priming you to cope more resiliently with the next wave of stressful feelings that come along.
The vagus nerve, loaded with oxytocin receptors, lives in the brain stem. You can locate that region by placing your fingers at the back of your skull, where the top of your neck nestles into the skull. A gentle massage to that part of the neck (you can easily do this yourself) can be a potent signal for the release of oxytocin, increasing feelings of goodness and well-being throughout the day.
Stan Tatkin at UCLA has found that when people feel safe with one another, a 20-second, full-body hug is enough to release oxytocin in both men and women.Twenty seconds is about the time it takes to take three long, deep breaths, easy for you and your “hug-ee” to time on your own. Try changing head positions with each breath.
Most of us don’t feel comfortable with a full-body hug with anyone except a partner, immediate family, or closest friends. We do the A-frame hug of arms around the shoulders at best. The closeness of a full-body hug maximizes the effectiveness, so exchange a full-body hug with somebody you’re comfortable with as often as you can. Identify people or pets in your life that you would feel comfortable asking for a hug.
A warm hug may not be a new practice for you, but sometimes we forget to remember the power of a hug to soothe our jangled nerves. Remember, the brain learns new patterns when we practice “small bits and often.” Repeat, repeat, repeat your hugs, with as many different people and pets as you feel comfortable with, as many times a day as you remember to.
Neural cells (brain cells) are also part of the structure of your heart. Warm, safe touch activates those neurons; your brain then activates messages of comfort and calm that are sent throughout the body.
Reference: Linda Graham, MFT
FIVE ELEMENTS: Adhara Mudra activates and awakens EARTH, WATER & FIRE ELEMENTS which initiates a downward flow of energy helping you to feel your foundational base of support. Breath flows more freely into the pelvis and legs, to feel a sense of grounding, weight, and calm. Inner FIRE ignited creates a feeling of enthusiasm and esteem, helping you to know ‘I am worthy to receive abundantly’.
Hands are held in front of the belly, thumbs outward like wings. Hold for 5-10 natural breaths. State the affirmation three times out loud, then silently. Notice how you feel. (No known cautions).
Information provided here is used by permission and modified from Mudras for Healing and Transformation by Joseph and Lilian LePage.
This is so cute! Do you ever feel like just sleeping in, playing ‘dead’ and avoiding something you’re not fond of doing? Totally normal! Especially with all the stresses of modern day life.
Pets are very intelligent, and usually know a lot of words, and can predict our intentions by reading our body language, tone of voice as well as our words. I still have no idea how our sweet Clara knows we’re going for a ride instead of a walk as we walk out the door, but she does, every time! (Rides are far more exciting than walks apparently!).
Please enjoy this video of this wise dog playing and her clever way of avoiding the trip to the vet!
This is known as the ‘fearless mudra’ and has helped my fears dissipate on numerous occasions when I remember to practice it in an intense moment!
Abhaya Varada Mudra helps to cultivate trust in what is to come. Helping to calm your mind-emotions, body, and energy, as well as reducing stress, anxiety, and insecurity, this mudra nurtures a sense of safety and trust in both the present moment, and the future. Ultimately, it allows you to connect deeply with your True Self, who is always fearless.
FIVE ELEMENTS: Abhaya Varada activates and awakens EARTH and WATER ELEMENTS which initiates a downward flow of energy and breath into the pelvis and legs, to feel a sense of grounding, weightedness, and calm.
HOW TO: Hold Abhaya Varada Mudra with Left hand in front of the belly, and Right hand cupped facing forward, for 5-10 natural breaths. State the affirmation three times out loud, then silently. Notice how you feel.
No known cautions.
The mudras, and the information provided here, are modified from Joseph and Lilian LePage, founders of Integrative Yoga Therapy.
