What is Wellness?
The goal of wellness is to calm the inflammatory response that leaves us in survival mode, and open communications between the heart (immune system) and the body (nervous system). By harnessing the gifts of both wellness and illness, we can further influence our propensity to stay open in a vital cycle that creates fluidity and heartfelt presence in our everyday lives.
Fluidity is the freedom to experience the complexity of life and the limitations of being human with a flexible and self-regulating nervous system. Our power lies in the ability to extract strength and resilience from stress, pain, and challenging times and infuse our hearts with nutritive grace, gratitude, and compassion. The “heart aura” begins within our heart muscle, which uses the lungs to pump oxygenated blood and plasma fluid throughout the brain and body. Metabolic waste products are removed from the blood by the kidneys and nutrients are distributed from the blood to all of the organs and tissues. Deoxygenated blood then circulates back to the heart in a loop that is influenced by the capacity of our system to detox and nourish. The heart is also the central messenger to our nervous system, communicating through nerve pathways extending down to the gut and up to the top of the brain. The “heart aura” begins here at the chest and the heart chakra center, and can extend up to three feet outside of the body, allowing us to be in tune with ourselves and connect with others. By feeling into the energetic space of our heart and its virtues, we can begin to see human struggle as feedback to move us but not drain us of our energy, cultivating our mental and physical ecologies to work for us as we grow with Spirit. Any work with the heart and fluid system of the body is the deepest work we can do to heal, whether it’s nourishing it, exercising it, detoxing it, or meditating with it.
As our hearts open, the practices, modalities, and foods that we use are activated, making them bio-available so they can fully benefit us to remain open and fluid.
THE FLUID SYSTEM
The fluid system is our circulation, immunity, and endocrine function and reflects the quality of our biofeedback. It transports and transforms our very Essence through nutritive blood and plasma actions that influence nervous system impulses. Cleansing, hydration, hormone secretions, moon cycles, the subconscious, and relationships are all connected to our fluid system. Some of our fluids include: lymph, synovial, cerebrospinal, prenatal (sperm, ova), excretory (urine, feces), saliva, mucus, fascia, bile, and vascular fluids running through the vessels of the cardiorespiratory or heart system. If the fight or flight response in the sympathetic nervous system is constantly engaged, stress hormones are released into the bloodstream and unable to be excreted, turning into extra glucose, raising heart rate and blood pressure, and suppressing immunity. Working with the heart and water energy (to produce calming hormones) quenches “the fire” of inflammation and puts the intention behind our daily motions. Cleansing the lymph allows the toxins and wastes absorbed to be efficiently transported to the colon, lungs, and pores for excretion. Cleansing the bowels cleans the blood capillaries lining organ walls, thereby purifying tissues. The fluid system is our capacity for nourishment.
THE ELECTRIC SYSTEM
The electric system is the expression of our nerves, firings, and inflammation response, conducting all of our impulses branching from the brain, spine, and heart, into all of the tissues and organs. The information we feed it through movement, food, and spiritual practice influences its ability to positively or negatively charge our fluid secretions. The emotional states and sensations we experience can program the electric system to be slow and sluggish or aroused and aggravated. The goal is to be in between, calm yet aware. Some of our primary nerves include: vagus, sciatic, olfactory, optic, facial, vestibulocochlear, and spinal nerves. Nerve endings connect to the glands that regulate the immune system. The electromagnetic field of the nerves can purify fluids, but if the biofeedback is obstructed with stress and inflammation, toxic byproducts remain stuck in the fluids to suppress immunity. Working with the parasympathetic nervous system through embodiment practices balances the electromagnetic field by releasing positive ions, neurochemicals and biochemicals to communicate balance and wellbeing to our immune system. Vagus Nerve toning, Trauma-Informed yoga and exercise, breath and vocal work, meditation, and nutritional therapy all soothe the nervous system and nerve impulses. The electric system is our capacity to practice.
