To Calm the Nervous System

“Sometimes it’s okay if the only thing you did today was breathe.”

~Yumi Sakugawa

Our yoga practice helps us to develop the vital skill of intentionally calming the Nervous System. It gives us the opportunity to spend time each day shifting out of Flight/Fight/Freeze response and into Rest/Repair mode.

When we find ways to sooth and calm the nervous system, we counteract the negative effects of STRESS. Stress is meant to be temporary, a short burst. We must re-establish calm after intervals of stress. We are not designed to live in stress soup all of the time! But our world is constantly bombarding us with reasons to stress, to be anxious, to be off balance! When we remain in a perpetual state of stress response it is harmful to our entire system and the people that we are around!

ANXIETY results from a chronically activated nervous system.

“Anxiety happens when you think you have to figure everything out all at once.

Breathe. You’re strong. You got this.”

~Karen Salmansohn

A well regulated Nervous System can easily shift from stress mode back to calm. And BE-ing Calm gives us a greater ability to be present.

Our yoga practice prioritizes calming and re-setting the nervous system over all else. Everything that we do in our practice, every movement, every shape, every transition, has the ability to bring about spontaneous meditation. Meditation is very helpful in regulating our nervous system. Other aspects of our practice that positively impact the nervous system are the gentle approach, valuing the function of a shape rather than aesthetics (we ask 'how does it feel, not how does it look'), and using the breath to focus our mind into the present moment. Legs Up the Wall is another great helper in our practice to reset the nervous system and to bring about calm.

In addition to yoga, simple things like kicking back with a cup of tea, spending time in nature or your happy place, a warm shower or a hot bath with epsom salts and anything else that brings you to a place of peace will help you to develop the skill of intentionally calming your overcharged nervous system.

You might like to check out the Jin Shin Jyutsu 36 Conscious and Aware Exhalations Meditation HERE. It will give you another tool for calming your entire system.