We are a bundle of nerves and thank goodness for it. Without the nervous system, we wouldn’t be able to move, think, feel, taste, breathe, digest, procreate, or exist in any way. To maximize its benefits, we must understand how it functions. If we aren’t mindful, we can cause more harm than good over the long term.
The sympathetic part of the nervous system responds to threats, stress, and fear. It’s our “fight or flight” response. It releases critical hormones to allow us to fight or run away. These hormones affect every organ and system in the body while helping us survive perceived danger.
The parasympathetic system is the calming side. It continually manages the basic functioning of all the organs and systems. It supports the systems in recovering after the sympathetic system has kicked in and done the job of protecting us from danger.
Stress hormones work great for saving our asses, but they undermine our well-being if released regularly. The problem is that our bodies don’t know the difference between the stress of running from a bear or the stress of running late to a meeting. The same blast of hormones and the ensuing responses occur. Stress is stress.
The digestive system is a good example. Under stress, it slows down and almost quits working so that energy goes where it’s needed. (Ever get immediate diarrhea after sudden fear exposure?) When the crisis is over, the parasympathetic system gets digestion back on track, so it functions normally.
If we’re often stressed out, digestion becomes sluggish and inefficient. Since every system is affected, routine stress exposure results in heart disease, hypertension, type 2 diabetes, arthritis, obesity, and so on. Plus, life sucks. If we’re the type of people who “get off” on the excitement of stress, we don't even know it sucks.
Constant or regular exposure to stress wears the body down, confuses the mind, deregulates the emotions, and reduces life duration and quality. In this vulnerable state, we perceive more fear and danger, and the cycle continues downward.
The practice of yoga is the practice of stress and fear management. We often think of yoga as stretching poses, intentional breathing, and meditation. These activities are powerful for stress reduction, as proven for centuries. But there's more!
Consider the social principles (Yamas) and personal observances (Niyamas) advocated by Patanjali in the ancient Yoga Sutras. The priorities of our culture promote a high level of stress to feel success and value. That is a burden. These yogic principles improve how we function in the world, and minimize the stress of behaving poorly, selfishly, negatively, insecurely, etc. These principles and observances calm the nervous system, as our confusion may have us looking for a fight with the world or ourselves. Or a flight from the world or ourselves.
The Yamas (social and moral guidelines—how we treat others) promote calm:
· benevolent honesty
· responsibility/not taking anything away from someone else, materially or emotionally
· non-violence/kindness towards others
· moderation of the senses/using our energy wisely/non-gluttony
· generosity of spirit /non-greediness
The Niyamas (personal observances—how we treat ourselves) also promote calm:
· purity or cleanliness, both in body/environment as well as how we conduct ourselves internally (what we read, how we speak to others, etc)
· contentment with what we have, what we are, and what we can control
· self-discipline (the Sanskrit word is Tapas, also translated as “heat,” “shine,” or “burn” in a cathartic way)
· self-study, self-reflection, and studying helpful texts
· surrender to a higher power (which I consider the best version of myself—my “Supreme Being.” But each to their own higher power, it’s the surrender that matters)
These practices are powerful self-calming tools, so we can be our best: capable, confident, authentic, courageous, calm, and kind. And conveniently, we can try these behaviors anywhere, anytime, with anyone. And when we fall short, we get to examine whatever the confusion was that prevented us from being our best.
By trying, failing, examining, and trying again, we replace the cycle of harm that stress and fear bring, and replace it with healing.
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