For most of us, contemplating our nervous system is not an everyday occurrence. We go about our days doing our work, sticking with our routine quit comfortable with our habits. We don’t always stop and think- Could my habits be more helpful? Could my experience of life be more fulfilling? Could I feel better in my body and in my mind? I find these questions naturally arise for each person when they have come to a certain state in their life. Although conflict is not always the culprit, it quit often is. Why would we look at or question something if we don’t perceive there to be a problem? When conflict does arise we are taken out of our natural flow. We seek answers, we look for help, we hunger for understanding. What happens when we start to ask these questions? We slow down.
Inquiry, particularly self inquiry, can lead us to becoming exactly who we are; the authentic and unique expression of ourselves in our truest form. This sounds like a great feat that few are able to accomplish, I know, but getting there is more simple than we realize….with lots of practice of course. Pausing, calming the breath, moving intentionally, feeling the body, noticing how you feel- all these components make up meditation and moving meditation. They are simple things to do that create a big difference in your life.
So what happens to your body when you slow down that makes you feel so much better? You are taken out of your sympathetic nervous system and your parasympathetic nervous system is activated. When this system is activated your heart rate drops, you are able to properly digest your food, your cells are able to regenerate, anxiety and stress are reduced, blood pressure goes down, our mood is lifted, and our immune system strengthens….the list goes on.
Our brainwaves change from the Beta state where we are anxious, alert, feel separate, and where disease can set in to the Alpha state. In the Alpha state we are able to learn, be focused while staying relaxed, serotonin production occurs and we begin to have access to our unconscious mind. Sounds a lot better doesn’t it?
The cool thing is the more often we activate our parasympathetic nervous system the easier it is to do and the longer you stay there. This means you become more peaceful more often, and who doesn’t want that! For some people it can take up to 20 minutes to activate this part of their nervous system. How much time do you take during your day to slow down?
Sometimes slowing down is easier to do when we are doing it together. That is why MetaSpace is offering free classes - Weekly Unwind - to help you do just that. We will be breathing, moving with intention, and opening up to meditation. It’s for everyone regardless if you are new or old to the practice. We meet here every Wednesday at 10am MST | 6pm CET . We hope to see you there!
To get a weekly calendar invite head here https://tinyurl.com/y3e5ek7p