Paying close attention to the coming and going of feelings within the body leads us to a deeper understanding of impermanence.  This mind-body understanding of impermanence guides us deeper into allowing. 

Have you tried body scanning? 

Enjoy a free body scan script here

or choose from a free guided 20, 30 or 45 minute audio here

Body scanning is a widely used technique for stress reduction. As we practice this mindfulness act again and again, we may start to notice the sensation arise prior to an emotion or feeling.  The question then becomes, are we reacting to the external situation or an internal stimulation?  

Sensations arise and sensation pass. 

Situations arise and situations pass. 

Body scan meditations help reduce stress & anxiety, improve concentration, begat clarity and helps us live in the present moment. This study shows that body scanning can even reduce the severity & perception of chronic pain immediately.

Practices that focus the mind and explore sensation help us discover that, generally, we are reacting to internal, pre-programmed stimulus.  To break our reactive patterns and form new habit patterns: be still, notice the sensation, be still some more, notice again.

As the longest and most complex of all the cranial nerves, it starts at the stem of the brain, behind the ears before it meanders down the sides of the neck, through the chest, and eventually ends in the abdomen linking the brain to the heart, lungs, throat, and gut. It helps to regulate our heart rate, blood pressure, digestion, sweating, and speech.

When we are in parasympathetic dominance we are able to rest and heal.

Vagus Nerve Connects the Brain and Gut

The vagus nerve and it’s feedback are the sensory network that informs the brain of what’s going on in our organs, most specially the digestive tract (stomach and intestines), lungs and heart, spleen, liver, and kidneys.

People with good vagal tone can relax faster after a stress and are more capable of regulating blood glucose levels, reducing chances of diabetes, stroke and cardiovascular disease. Recent research presented by the European League Against Rheumatism indicate that vagus nerve stimulation significantly reduces symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis.

Symptoms are messages from our body that something is wrong. Poor vagal tone can express as ongoing high levels of stress, anxiety, depression, overwhelm, an inability to focus or regulate emotions and inflammation. The nerve can become damaged express deeper dysfunction such as abnormal heart rate, blood pressure or glucose.  Digestion or speech may be become compromised.

It is essential to listen to our bodies. Winter is the perfect season to slow down and take notice of our capacity to reset, restore and recharge.

This study on loving kindness meditation improved healthy vagal tone in participants. Being present and acknowledging that everything in the moment is okay reduces anxiety.

Significant and important research has been making the news about a microbiota-gut-brain axis. Read up on this fascinating subject here. Also this article discusses the science behind gut microbiota, brain function and stress related disorders.