“The marriage of body and mind happens through emotion. Emotional illness results when emotions don’t move and remain frozen within the body”
~ Alexander Lowen, an American psychotherapist and father of Bioenergetics
Psychoneuroimmunology (PNI) is the science that investigates the mind/body/immune system connection. Our bodies remember - good, bad, or indifferent - experiences, and tag the significant with deep feeling. The body is the mind. (specifically the deeper mind)
Explained a bit more medically, neuropeptides are the electrochemical component physically encoded into molecules which exist on cell walls throughout our tissues. These messenger molecules, are biological carriers of emotionally charged memories and information, a.k.a. the “molecule of emotion.” Hence, memories live throughout our body, soft tissue, and immune system.
The body follows what is in the heart and mind
Bodywork can trigger neuropeptide sites, bringing imprinted experiences into consciousness, thereby eliciting an emotional response.
A benefit of bodywork: it can quell trigger sensations while working with qualified professionals (social workers, therapists, mental health practitioners, etc.) on issues. This way it is possible to get closer to the root causes – instead of having physical sensations causing us to guard, avoid, or protect.
“People base actions on avoidance of pain rather than pursuit of pleasure.” - Anthony Robins
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Louise L. Hay has done extensive study on the Mind/Body Connection.
A few examples, as gathered from Heal Your Body A-Z by Louise L. Hay:
Pain Areas and Probable Causes:
Neck - Refusing to see other sides of the question. Stubbornness, inflexibility.
Spine - Upper/Lack of emotional support. Feeling unloved. Holding back love.
Lower/Fear of money. Lack of financial support.
Other Connections:
Arthritis - Feeling unloved. Criticism. Resentment.
Stiffness - Rigid, stiff thinking
Weakness - A need for mental rest
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A Heart transplant recipient started to experience the memories and food cravings of her deceased heart donor.
A murderer is caught based on a heart transplant recipients precise recollections and dreams.
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Studies by researchers have found that rats pass memories down through genes.
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"Medical professionals are finding that analgesics -- drugs that prevent pain in the nervous system -- given to patients before surgery prevent chronic formation of pain memory, which diminshes the development of chronic pain later on."
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People who are emotionally impacted often have rounded shoulders, forward bending neck, and a concave chest. Our posture gears towards protecting the emotional center – the heart. We feel vulnerable. Not as strong and confident.
Yet if we sit and/or stand straight hold our head high – our brain follows.
We can fake it, till we make it.
Try it: Assume the Supergirl stance
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It takes 17 muscles to smile, and 42 to frown. The mere act of smiling lifts our mood, we feel more energetic.
Try it: Smile
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Words render a direct response in the body.
(What are you exposing your Self to? What is your internal dialogue? Are you kind to YOU?)
The body follows what is in the heart and mind.
Emotions trigger an on-going cascade of endorphins and/or stress hormones. Our emotional tone directly influences the sum of biochemical processes.
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More to come....
