The relationship between 

our immune system and our nervous system

So we are heading back into a level 5 lockdown from tomorrow. What does that mean for you? I'm guessing it feels very different to how it felt in spring. However we have more tools available now. We know what to expect. For many of us it is less scary and more inconvenient. For others watching the news it may seem very scary. There is no right way to be.

I have been doing lots of research over the last few months, inquiring ever deeper and learning so much about our magical bodies, our minds and most of all their connection.

20 years ago when I studied Psychology 2nd year it focused on Child Development, the next focused on Cognitive Psychology and finally Social Psychology all as separate modules. When I studied Anatomy and Physiology a few years later as part of my yoga teacher training we learnt about the different systems (immune, respiratory, cardiovascular, endocrine, etc.) and the different muscles and joints individually. Training as a Yoga Therapist, we learn about illnesses and dysfunctions.

It’s all Connected

However the research about their interconnections, their interdependence, is only starting to  get traction. I have been so lucky recently to study with world leaders including Gill Hadley, Bonnie Bainbridge Cohen and Leslie Kaminoff. I am fascinated by how ideas from the  ancient wisdom of Ayurveda (traditional Indian Medicine) and TCM (traditional Chinese medicine) are being echoed in current research. Did you know that there is a neural network around your gut, and your heart. In fact these can respond full seconds quicker than the network in the brain. Also there are  neuroreceptors in the cells of our immune system. In fact our nervous system and our immune system are more like overlapping networks rather than individual systems.

The more I learn, the more I discover how little I know. However certain themes keep coming through the scientific research, and reappearing in my clinics and classes. The more I live and the more I learn, the more I see what I need to do to be healthy and well - More Yoga and Meditation.

So why is self care so hard?

So with all this information why is it so hard to do it for myself at home? Why do I resist doing classes online? I have had some type of a daily self care practice for probably 30 years now. Initially it was yoga, so I could 'get better', you have to remember I was only 20 back then. Then it became mediation because I was suffering from so much stress and tension. for may years it was both, because that was the 'best' thing to do, that was my driven 30s'. by my mid 40's it softened, and became true self care. So why, now when I most need it am I struggling to do it? And what can I do about it?

What to do

Well the first thing is Compassion. I'm adding in a little forgiveness and a good dose of humour. So I know better. So what if I could do better, I would. Judging and beating myself up will not help. So instead this lockdown I am going to give self care, compassion and a very little spoon of discipline a go. I am also going to get support. That's where you come in. Supporting me, keeping me accountable, and when I fall, helping me back up. I suggest you do the same. Come to a class, or meet a friend to go walking, whatever makes sense to you. We are social beings. We are designed to live in community. Let's support ourselves and eachother and be the best, healthiest and happiest we can be.

Developing a Personal Practice / Self Care Routine

So to develop a new routine of self care, or restart your routine here are some key tools I learned from my days as a life coach:

• Make your SMART goal

• Give yourself a start date and end date (For 1 week or 21 days)

• Give it a duration (for 10 minutes)

• Be specific - where will it happen

• Be specific - When will it happen

• Visualize you doing it and notice what block / barriers may arise and the plan for them (eg. if I use a youtube class I may check my email / If I go into the kitchen i may end up washing up rather than meditating)

Some Self Care Practice Ideas

• Flow  yoga 

• Meditation

• Journaling

• Walking Meditation

• Self Massage

• Any type of exercise you like

• Writing a letter to a friend (create a contact list at the start of the week with 7 names, then each day, write a letter)

• Having a bath

• Read a book

• Some self study / Yoga Teacher Training /  learn an instrument

• Choosing not to do any of the above, and to sit watching the birds feed, or listening to music with a cup of tea for 15 minutes each day

It always comes back to connection. Our immune system is connected to our nervous system. Our brain is connected to our body, we are connected to each other, so in this time of physically distancing and looking after each other, lets also ensure we keep social contact and look after ourselves as well. 

Check out Aruna Yoga Website for Some Supports - they include:

• 21 day challenge - to build a personal practice

• 9 day ‘divine goddess’ course - setting goals, discovering your darma

• Youtube 40 days of ‘’waking up together’ - morning practice

• Group classes - Tuesdays and Thursdays

• 1 to 1 sessions to support you with stress or other areas of challenge

• Go for gold - take a year challenge, Live your passion,Train as a Yoga teacher