Neurological Coherence is the Most Powerful Adaptogen
We as modern humans were meant to thrive, in these bodies and in these times. These are times in which reports show 77% of people experience stress that affects their physical health. There’s increasing demands on our bodies and productivity levels while we’re simultaneously processing more environmental toxicity than ever before. Still, we were made to thrive!
These times have been prophesied as “The Quickening” or even “The Ascension.” We’re being asked to access our full grace and brilliance in light of the changes taking place (not in spite of them). What’s missing is a coherent and adaptable Nervous System capable of integrating stressors without the need to bind and hold onto stored tension physically. This is the piece that will yield stronger health outcomes and more peace amidst an external reality that’s challenging to hold.
“Trauma” results from any stressor which overwhelms the capacity of our neurological system to adapt real-time, causing our bodies to hold onto such experiences for a later time when we’re more resourced. These stressors can be chemical, physical, emotional, or spiritual (or more than one at once!).
But what if we’re able to raise the threshold of our capacity to respond in the moment? Increasing Nervous System coherence means tapping into more of the available resilience that’s already within us by training ourselves to hold more in our awareness, with ease.
By training our neurological capacity (and I do mean training!), we’re able to move through life while accruing less trauma in the first place. You can think of it as refining your adaptive pathways so that stressors move through your system versus getting locked in. This work is more powerful than any adaptogen but has the same effects! We’re better able to adapt to our external realities from a place of the calm at the center of our being, with practice.
Use the following strategies to access your inner calm in the seeming chaos:
1. Ego Eradicator (1-3 minutes). This is a Kundalini yoga exercise where the arms are lifted to 60 degrees with the hands in a “thumbs up” position combined with the breath of fire (a rapid, deep breath through the nose pumping at the navel center).
Why it works: By training your system to find a meditative center amidst the intensity of the breath pattern, you’re allowing yourself to access this state, even while somewhat activated (just make sure you feel safe!).
2. Seated Meditation. Seated meditation can look many different ways and is especially suited to someone for whom breath of fire produces a feeling of unsafety. Focus on long, deep, slow belly breathing.
Why it works: By focusing on the breath, you’re cultivating discipline and an awareness that the breath is always available as a regulation tool. It will naturally come to serve you when you establish this neurological pathway through routine practice.
3. Chiropractic Care. This is my service in the world! Let me know if you’re seeking a chiropractor in a different city and I’ll help you find someone great.
Why it works: Spinal adjustments are shown in imaging to light up a region of the brain called the prefrontal cortex. This indicates an improved ability to access the part of your system that is most evolved, while clearing the spine of old patterns that obstruct your access to the strong core of your being.
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