Exploring: BodyMind

“Trauma is primarily physiological, it’s something that happens to our bodies first, and then its effects spread to our mind, emotions, spirits. As we resolve our traumas we discover missing parts of our beings, those that make us feel whole and complete"  Dr. Peter Levine   Psychologist   Founder of Somatic Experiencing 

 

What happens when we meet something that we perceive as stressful, scary or threatening?

Every time something happens that we perceive as stressful, scary or threatening – either physical (e.g. a car accident, a fall, surgery) or psychological (e.g. challenging relationships, bullying, abuse) – our body automatically activates what is known as the stress response, which is intended to mobilise us to meet the danger or stressful situation successfully. Our heart rate increases, our breathing speeds up and the blood is directed towards our arms and legs preparing us to fight or flight for survival, while other bodily functions like the digestive system temporarily slow down. Once the stress or danger is removed or successfully met, ideally the body returns back to a state of balance, where all the normal processes that keep us healthy can continue.


Dr. Stephen Porges' critically acclaimed scientific research explores how our body reacts to challenges based on the evolution of our autonomic nervous system reactions.  The evidence based significance of the 10th cranial Vagus nerve and its fight/flight/freeze response towards social engagement and connectivity. 

Jon Zabat-Zinn is an American professor emeritus of medicine and the creator of the Stress Reduction Clinic and the Center for Mindfulness in Medicine, Health Care, and Society at the University of Massachusetts Medical School.

Jon was a student of Buddhist teachers such as Thich Nhat Hanh and Zen Master Seung Sahn and a founding member of Cambridge Zen Center. His practice of yoga and studies with Buddhist teachers led him to integrate their teachings with scientific findings. He teaches mindfulness, which he says can help people cope with stress, anxiety, pain, and illness. The stress reduction program created by Kabat-Zinn, mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR), is offered in over 700 medical centers, hospitals, and health maintenance organizations.

Dr. Kabat-Zinn was born in New York City in 1944 as the youngest of nine children to Elvin Kabat, a biomedical scientist, and Sally Kabat, a painter. He graduated from Haverford College in 1964 and went on to earn a Ph.D. in molecular biology in 1971 from MIT, where he studied under Salvador Luria, Nobel Laureate in medicine.

This is a mindfulness meditation with Josh Wise.

This meditation will help you connect with your breath. Relax. Let go of stress. Release anxiety. Allow yourself to relax. Connect with that place of peace within. Restore balance.