Are you nervous? Ashtanga yoga cleanses the nervous system

[Originally posted on my Yoga Robin blog]

Are you nervous? Many people do yoga to increase strength and flexibility, to lower stress and to gain mental and spiritual clarity. Those are great reasons. After a yoga practice, no matter which style (e.g., Ashtanga, Iyengar, etc.) you'll undoubtedly be left with an overall feeling of peacefulness that tops the way you felt before you moved your body.

uplift mood, lower stress

Physical exercise in general helps to uplift the mood and lower stress levels; in particular, it diminishes Cortisol, the stress hormone. Ashtanga yoga has an added benefit: nervous system cleansing.

This is especially true in the Ashtanga Intermediate Series, Nadi Shodhana (2nd series), and that is its main purpose. This goes back over 5,000 years. When practiced regularly (5-6 days per week), the "cleansing" of the nervous system can be felt in various ways and many are *not* enjoyable.

nervous system cleanse kicks your ass

It wasn't until after practicing Mysore-style Ashtanga six mornings per week (specifically, half of the Primary Series, full intermediate, and beginning of advance A—takes 2-2 1/2 hours) for approximately nine months that I was able to discuss the nervous system cleanse in a positive light. That is putting it lightly.

It can feel like overall fatigue. All. Day. Long. It can feel like anxiety, over-sensitivity to lights and sounds, depression, obsession, needs to be in solitude, drinking more wine, yet a pervading fearlessness that overrides it all... It can feel overly emotional. It can take over your life and force you to make some big lifestyle changes, like adding an afternoon nap, going to sleep earlier, eating more protein, taking more epsom baths, wondering what is wrong with your life, questioning love, feeling safest while hanging out with your cats, etc. But why do it if it causes so much upheaval to the system?

because it works

Because it works... I like to see the nervous system cleansing as I would any other type of cleanse where you're taking away habits that may be contributing to harm in your body. Whether this be detoxing from sugar, caffeine, or all food in general to clear out the intestines, a cleanse does not necessarily feel good while you're in the process of it. The idea is to rid your body of toxins; on their way out, you feel them full force as they rise to the surface, so to speak.

This is all a great way for me to understand the nervous system cleanses. I was feeling toxins in my nervous system and I was boldly letting them play themselves out, knowing that if they didn't, they would continue to control me from underneath it all. In this case, they were involuntary processes driving me, also affecting me physiologically, and were of a higher intelligence in the mind-body.

It all makes sense. The nervous system directs complex processes (seeing, hearing, tasting, feeling, responding). It regulates the internal environment and links to external environment. It directs the organs in the body so that they don’t act independently of each other; without a nervous system, there’d be chaos inside.

wants to feel that again

When the autonomic nervous system's sympathetic is out of balance, and escalated (fight-or-flight), your body reacts as if it needs to protect itself... your heart beats faster, your body temperature increases, you feel anxious, you feel like a victim, you are triggered by even small incidences (as your nervous system remembers and wants to feel *that* again).

I describe this as an electric feeling that will *not* go away no matter what I do to try to soothe it. It was probably even accompanied by a scared look on my face—or in my aura—that even animals would stay away from me.

Calming this side down illuminates the parasympathetic, bringing calm to your body, heart and soul. Here you can breathe calmly again and the electrical impulses are replaced with a softly-flowing river of prana, bathing you with each breath. Your muscles relax, your mind stops overthinking, you actually are relaxed.

I believe that the nervous system is smarter than the mind. Yet, its direct connection to the mind dissolves the protective boundary as it's easily triggered, vulnerable to the mind's overthinking and worry. A main purpose of yoga in general is complete cessation of the mind, as the thinking mind is what creates suffering.

i've been rewired

I'm different now. Subtleties such as no longer becoming easily startled by spontaneous sounds make me smile when I notice this new involuntary response of calm. The biggest change is an overall lack of emotional triggers that have historically affected me deeply, physically but also unconsciously; those natural responses—harmful ones—have dissolved. That's my reason in a nutshell for waking up each morning at 5:00 a.m. to return again to my mat.

Now I'm able to go to the next level, which used to be more of an act of will power or something that only worked for other people. The best way to feel your spirit and know—without a doubt—your next move in life is to first get STILL. This means, calming the nervous system first so that you can see the magic. Ashtanga Yoga works for me and essential oils are a big help too (next topic :)

Namaste.

© 2016 Robin Ellen Lucas, M.A.

Distracted by anxiety until disruptive energy is discharged: Yoga and psychology

I am distracted often. Yes, it gets in my way when I feel I’ll be in trouble if I don’t accomplish a certain goal. Yet, with my life of freedom—more so, the art of distraction itself—I wouldn’t have it any other way. There is a beauty and inherent intelligence in distraction.

anxiety

Why does a distracted mind cause anxiety? So many people are taking medication for Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) as if to cure this ailment; it’s as if they are being taught that they cannot live adequately in our society without the maximum ability to hone in on a specific task and fulfill it without question, without delay. It’s now, or else.

Why is this? People with ADHD focus intensely on their own topic of interest. They are highly focused. They are exceedingly intelligent because of thisdisordered ability to focus. This activity is peaceful because it is naturally-driven and full of integrity.

Don’t we each want to live a life that is fused with our innate, inner desires?

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Lady with the red pants: When yoga is humiliating

Originally posted on Recovering Yoga Novemeber 2010, and later on my Medium account.

I was once called Lady with the Red Pants by a strict yoga teacher with whom I’d been practicing yoga for 6 years.

humiliation from across the room

She called out to me from across the room with this name to give me a simple instruction. I, an avid student in her class for all those years, surely felt that I deserved more respect than this.

True, it wasn’t exactly her nature to speak to her students and thereby get to know their names. And although I knew this, and never myself attempted to introduce myself or speak to her—ever, in fact—I still felt angry at this label she gave to me. I did know for sure that I was a dedicated yogini, attending her classes regularly, and considered myself a personally powerful person, so at the time I took this comment with a grain of salt. I laughed to myself.

Sometimes I tell this story to others. But just today, I decided that I have given this imagery (and emotion) of that situation in my past too much real estate in my brain! For, the pants themselves tell the story whenever I see them. I never wear them anymore, yet I still keep them. I tell myself that I definitely have to be in the mood to wear them.

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Early morning yoga keeps me more present in life

Yoga Tree Corte Madera (by r.e.l.)It's difficult not to write after this morning's 6:00 a.m. class at Yoga Tree Corte Madera.

Early morning yoga in Marin

During these darker winter mornings, the lighting in the yoga room is amazing—soothing for the waking body and mind. The new colorful clouds really make the space, together with the redwood tree mural, lighting and fixtures.

I felt this morning like I was in my living room rather than an eye-opening, wake-up call early morning yoga class. Whether challenging or simplistic, it made my yoga practice deeper since I was soothed on a deep level.  

More present in class at 6:00 a.m.

The early morning 6am class—if you've not tried the early morning thing—is quite life-changing. I myself recently broke out of the night owl mode and moved into the early morning yoga scene. For me, it has seemed a miraculous accomplishment. Now that I am into it (after doing yoga for 17 years), I am trying out the studios in Marin which offer early morning yoga. I need to be led at this hour, so sorry, no Mysore for me.

Image Source: Yoga Tree Corte Madera

Surprisingly, I have found that I am more present during these early classes. My chatter brain has yet to activate into its normal self and I "wake" from savasana with the most profound connections, measages and intentions which carry through my day. I find I am more patient and focused now in my business and family life, thanks to early morning yoga.

Chatter brain turns to peace

Yoga Tree Corte Madera has the earliest led-yoga classes in southern Marin. If you need to go to work right afterward, showers will welcome you. Check it out :)

Marin county yoga at the Yoga Tree Corte Madera

Premier yoga in Marin County - Yoga Tree Corte MaderaSan Francisco's top yoga studios, owned by Yoga Tree, have been in operation for at least thirteen years. The founders now boast seven studios across the San Francisco Bay Area, including the East and North Bay.

The baby of the group is Yoga Tree Corte Madera. It is located in a busy part of this southern Marin town, close to the highway and malls so its convenience easily invites the opportunity for yoga—early morning wake-up, lunch break, late afternoon power-packed pre-dinner flow or restorative evening for winding down.

The studio breathes nature and will change your mood and your spirit as soon as you enter through the doors. Calming and captivating, you will feel that you've walked into a Northern California redwood forest, greeted by mesmerizing photography by artist Russ Eddy. Danielle Hirsch, interior designer who was responsible for the studio design, explains that the redwood forest photograph set the mood for the rest. The color, materials and vibe of the endeavor to create a peaceful, premier yoga studio in Marin organically evolved from there.

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I am a yoga columnist

I am a yoga columnist. I find the poetic reality of yoga...

For, it helps one find a pure state of mind, while burning away layers of chatter, allowing truth inside to reign. It helps one fill in gaps that seem empty and magically become full with prana.

While stirring up dust inside, it helps form a fertile ground in which to grow life's seeds, while helping to take a stand against inhibitions.

Over time it teaches love, euphoria, magic and intuition—most importantly, the notion that it's all inside.

Remember that you can do whatever you put your mind to, and that you can love another with freedom.

Namaste.

© 2013 R.E.L. Copywriting

Letting go of worries, enjoying your summer days, living your yoga

It's summertime... But just because the beach and sunshine beckon you to follow a free-spirited attitude, you can actually allow yourself to relive your yoga.

Living yoga keeps you focused on your breath all day, getting you through stressful situations, structured responsibilities, which destresses you but also opens you to higher spiritual potentials.

Better said, don't worry if summer schedules take you away from your disciplined yoga practice. You do not have to be doing asanas in a yoga studio to be doing yoga.

Remember, yoga is a way of life. It can help you smile your way through life with a knowing vision in your heart. Living yoga in your life can teach you that no matter what, what you love is always there, will be there tomorrow, and has always been there.

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Mind-body connections: Physical activity directly influences mental health

Getting physical does make you feel good, as the endorphins released during bodily activities directly influence your mental health. Try spending a day in front of your computer, typing away furiously—using the excuse that you have no time for exercise due to a client deadline. Maybe by evening, you feel like you've accomplished a lot on your computer, but how do you feel emotionally the next morning? Try doing this for a solid week.

Next, try to live a balance day—leading into week—whereby your calendar revolves around you and your physical activites. When you are your high priority business meeting, or social engagement, you certainly feel more mentally, emotionally and psychologically stable as a whole being.

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