Many of us are experiencing strange yet sever injuries, pain or weight gain that seems to come out of nowhere. I know people who woke up one day, tried to get out of bed and literally couldn't walk for 2 days when nothing had happened!
The Life Science of Yoga, Ayurveda, holds the keys to understanding what's happened.
According to Ayurveda, last spring we were supposed to get out, try new things, move our bodies and bring more joy and play into our lives.
Instead, we quarantined with huge amounts of stress chemicals (cortisol, norepinephrine, and epinephrine) pouring into our bodies
What is the role of cortisol in the body?
Cortisol is a steroid hormone that regulates a wide range of processes throughout the body, including metabolism and the immune response. It also has a very important role in helping the body respond to stress.
While the cortisol was pumping out to help us with the stress, we were immobile physically which locked into some area of our body, for most of us our back/hip area. To make things worse, it was during a time that we should have been far more active in order to keep ourselves balanced according to Ayurveda.
The stress hormones got stuck. Now what?
Research shows that we can't begin to really process trauma until we are safe. Now that we feel more safe (the vaccine is out and people are connecting again) our unconscious minds and bodies are starting to process what happened. As we move our bodies, the trapped chemicals are releasing!
How do stress chemicals show up?
Long term production of cortisol, norepinephrine, and epinephrine can cause weight gain, fatigue, adrenal exhaustion, and injuries when the trapped chemicals are releasing. These chemicals seek out soft tissue in the body (hips, belly) to store in until they're able to be processed.
What can be done?
Reducing stress and cortisol is critical in these situations! There are herbs such as ashwagandha and chyawanprash that I use as cortisol busters and nervous system healers. I use shatavari to replenish my energy levels as this is a specific herb for females in Ayurveda. I've been reducing my estrogen levels and adding more protein in my diet. I have also been getting back to massage to work the chemicals out and use a set yoga series that is slow and intentional in it's movement. Nothing fast or mindless for me right now! *Always check with your doctor first to see what's best for you.
The most helpful thing I've done to reduce my stress...
Nervous System Recalibration (NSR™) Process is a series of meditations I created for healing and is extremely helpful in releasing stuck trauma.
My meditation series is based on the chakra system and polyvagal theory. The melding of these two modalities has allowed me to create a mindfulness journey that can recalibrate your nervous system after trauma, loss, betrayal, stress, and overwhelm.
I have found that when we find the unconscious story in the body, then help the story to heal in the moment, my body based stress levels completely change! I have clients who are therapists that use this method and have just trained my first group of therapists in this method in order for them to use it to help their folks with trauma. It's been amazing to see the results.
If you've been struggling with some of these issues, I hope this helps get you back on track to a happy, healthy you.
Contact Corena to set up a Nervous System Recalibration (NSR™) Process training @ corena@clinicalyogainstitute.com