Fight or Flight
by Jen Taylor.
The Autonomic Nervous System has two divisions, the Sympathetic and Parasympathetic. It is the sympathetic which is responsible for the ‘fight and flight’ response of the body to excitement and stress, and an actual or perceived harmful event such as injury or danger. In this state hormones & insulin increase, blood pressure and blood sugar is raised. Psychological responses include fear, guilt, sadness, increased heat, anger & wilfulness. Stress, fear, worry, too much exercise & even excessive thinking stimulates the sympathetic division.
In contrast the parasympathetic division is considered the ‘rest and digest’ system. Amongst activating many organs and glands it aids digestion, elimination and the immune system. Qualities of calmness, contentment and relaxation are its outcome. Feelings of being loved, meditation and rest all activate this system.
As the sympathetic system begins to work, the parasympathetic goes into action to return the sympathetic back its baseline. Health can be compromised when one is more persistent than the other. A balance between the two is both necessary and healthy. Creating this homeostasis effect is what Bowen does so beautifully.
With Bowen Therapy the Practitioner will deliver a series of gentle moves aimed at creating an energy flow which allows the body to tap into its’ own healing intelligence. This flow is released through the fascia, the largest organ of soft tissue which webs throughout the body and is responsive to Bowen Therapy.
When you start to pay attention to the subtle changes occurring to your body during a treatment, you can experience deep levels of unwinding. You will feel these changes during the Bowen session with the process of relaxation ultimately soothing & providing restorative energy. As we can see Bowen isn’t magic, however the body is. When given the right support it will heal itself and life becomes better, in more balance and harmony.
Image courtesy of Sura Nualpradid at FreeDigitalPhotos.net
