Asana and the nervous system.
We aren’t always really aware of how disregulated our nervous systems may be.
And in today’s society, we’re still being taught that stress is a part of life that we have to deal with and that being tired and cranky all of the time is just how it goes.
But it’s not.
We often think about asana in terms of creating strength and flexibility in the physical body, but it has this effect on the nervous system as well. Nervous system regulation is essential for healing from burnout and building the resilience to respond, rather than react, to stressful situations.
Here are 5 ways asana supports your nervous system.
🕉 Somatic experiencing that helps you move emotions out of your body.
Our bodies hold the story of our lives. And trauma often gets trapped in our body because we don't give ourselves time to fully process and feel our emotions. Through intentional, conscious movement, yoga helps us release that which has been trapped.
🕉 Heightens your interoception awareness. Interoception is the collection of senses perceiving the internal state of the body. Oftentimes we are so busy we don't take the time to actually check in with ourselves to know how we truly feel and perhaps how stressed out and dis-regulated our nervous systems are. Asana creates a stronger connection between our minds and our bodies so we can increase clarity around how we feel and what's "right" or "wrong" in our bodies and lives and respond appropriately.
🕉 Balances your SNS and PNS. In today's society we often live in a state of fight, flight, and/or freeze ... which is a heightened Sympathetic Nervous System. This can cause an overproduction of stress hormones and fatigue the mind. Many asana's calm the body, ease anxiety, and bring the Parasympathetic system online activating our rest and digest functions, helping our bodies find homeostasis.
🕉 Reduces stress. Most of us experience stress...and lots of it! One thing we may not realize, is that even thinking about something stressful can activate the production of stress related hormones. Asana not only helps relieve us of the stress held in the body, but it helps focus the mind through a single-pointed drishti (focus) thus minimizing angst, worry, anxiety, or stress about 50 other things off the mat. Through cultivating presence in the asana practice, you give yourself a reprieve from overthinking, worrying, etc. which also then reduces how many stress hormones your body produces.
🕉 Increases your awareness of self and enables you to change your life. Oftentimes when people begin an asana practice their self-awareness increases. People become aware of toxic habits, people, and situations that are wrecking havoc in their lives and their ability to live happily and in alignment. This often results in a change of eating habits, getting more rest, letting go of what no longer serves, and doing more that feels in alignment with their passions.
If you are ready to start a daily practice, our Awake & Activate membership is an amazing place to start. It’s a combination of self-paced/on-demand and live classes and gatherings … so you learn to show up for yourself whilst supported by a community. There’s a special pricing for New Members :) Check it out.
Or there are a variety of self-paced resources for you to explore on your own time.
I’d love to support you.