Your Nervous System is in Charge

If you have ever nervously stood up to speak in front of an audience or even been in a minor fender-bender, you may have experienced your body responding in all kinds of interesting, and potentially uncomfortable ways. Increased heart rate, physical tension, nausea, sweating, and physical shaking in the hands, belly, or knees are some common responses to a potential threat to the body’s safety. Logically, you know that standing up to give a speech is not a life or death situation, but your nervous system and body may actually perceive the experience as a potential threat, and respond accordingly to help you survive.

These involuntary survival mechanisms, which are the work of the reflexive part of the brain and the nervous system, are essential to our evolution as a species and our survival as individuals. They allow us to appropriately respond to potential threat, and then work to help us release the charge of the experience in order to bring us back into balance or homeostasis. Yet, most of us have learned to very effectively shut down or hide these responses because they make us feel weak, unprepared, vulnerable, or sick. We learn very early in life that being in control, or looking like it at least, is of the utmost importance.

Unfortunately, when we experience prolonged stress and/or a traumatic event and do not allow the body to naturally release the charge as it is designed, we can end up with symptoms like chronic pain, digestive issues, reproductive issues, sleeplessness, anxiety, depression, etc. This is what is what we mean when we say that stress can make you sick.

The good news is that these release mechanisms are so reflexive that we can readily rediscover and reinitiate them safely, even years after an event or stressful experience. This allows us to release long held tension patterns in the body and return to a state of optimal health and wellness.

What Can We Do?

Neurogenic Yoga™ is an integrative method that utilizes yoga postures (asana) and breath (pranayama) to gently and safely initiate the body’s natural tension release mechanism through shaking. This involuntary shaking or gentle vibration is called a neurogenic tremor which releases unconscious contraction patterns in the body in order to safely bring one back to wholeness.

Neurogenic Yoga is a sister method to Dr. David Berceli’s technique of Tension and Trauma Releasing Exercises ® (TRE ®). TRE was initially developed to help large groups of people living in war torn parts of the world to heal from trauma. Now, 30 years later, we recognize that these methods are not just for those who identify with having experienced trauma, but everyone who is experiencing stress, or simply living in our high paced culture.

Most people describe this experience as pleasant and relaxing and report improvements in their physical and emotional state. 

Reported benefits include:

  • Release of chronic tension and increase of energy and stamina
  • Discharge of buried emotional and physical trauma
  • Freedom from symptoms of sciatica and fibromyalgia
  • Decrease of aches and pains
  • Improved sleep
  • Improved circulation
  • Improved mood
  • Improved sense of feeling grounded and focused
  • Improved flexibility
  • Increased libido

To experience the benefits of Neurogenic Yoga for yourself, join me for one of my workshops at Be the Change Yoga on October 28th and/or December 1st!

 

About Jennica

Jennica Mills, MSW, E-RYT has extensive experience in facilitation of body-based therapies, trauma recovery, and sexual wellness. Her techniques give way to a unique perspective on how we can experience physical, emotional, and mental freedom.

Guided by the premise that we already contain the power to heal, be inspired, and experience connectedness, Jennica’s approach is designed to tap into the body’s innate intelligence to release stress and tension patterns that inhibit us from experiencing our fullness.

She holds a Masters in Social Work and is the co-founder of Neurogenic Yoga. She is an experienced Yoga Teacher, Sexual Wellness Coach, TRE Global Provider, and Tantra teacher. Jennica travels the globe leading certification trainings in Neurogenic Yoga and facilitates workshops in sexual wellness and trauma recovery. She maintains a private practice working with individuals and couples in Southern California.

Jennica is known for creating an easeful and safe environment for deep and powerful work while providing innovative tools and methods for transformation.