A
Precision-Tuned Body
by Pat Burke
We often use the term stress to refer to
the negative effects of external factors such as noise, crowding,
performance expectations and deadlines. Most people experience stress as
something that happens to them. More accurately, stress itself is neutral,
referring to pressures on an organism or system. Health, adaptation and
evolution can be desirable outcomes when an organism is forced to respond
to a large amount and intensity of stimulation or change. An experience
that creates excitement and exhilaration in one person can cause deep
anxiety and debilitating stress for another. Anytime an organism is
overloaded, stress can occur, possibly followed by disease.
Dr. Hans Seyle, a Canadian physiologist,
was the first major researcher in the field of stress. Dr. Seyle
pinpointed the physiology of the fight or flight response. He also
demonstrated that stress initially increases performance and efficiency,
and is useful and necessary up to a certain point. However, when stress is
excessive, harmful effects will result. This is the Law of Yerkes-Dodson.
The Law of Yerkes-Dodson can be applied to
all facets of our lives. The universal aspect of being human is that each
of us must determine the balance of our days. We need to determine how
much sleep, stimulation, food, movement, freedom, discipline,
contemplation, entertainment, community and quietude is necessary for each
of us. Every individual possesses a very accurate and reliable tool for
measuring the balance of our lives and many Eastern practices such as Tai
chi, yoga, and meditation are designed to help us calibrate that
assessment.
The tool is the body itself.
Sleeping pills, Viagra, antacids,
laxatives, caffeine, sugar and medications which mask the body's messages
to us seduce us into believing that we can overcome our inherent nature.
By treating troublesome symptoms, we tax the physical body with demands
that erode our health. Body awareness is the key to recognizing our unique
individual experience. For over 7,000 years, the Eastern traditions have
embodied mindfulness and compassionate self awareness. Studies in hatha
yoga, mindfulness-based stress reduction and other disciplines help us to
be fully present, to our experience. May all beings be at peace and free
from suffering.
____________________
Pat
Burke is the director of Earthsong Yoga Center, 186 Main St #14
Marlboro, MA 01752 and the founder of the Massachusetts/New England
Yoga Alliance. The Alliance provides free information and referral to all
traditions of yoga. For more information please call 508-480-8884 or email
at pat@earthsongyoga.com
or visit her website at www.earthsongyoga.com.
This article was originally published in Spirit
of Change Magazine—not to be confused with OfSpirit.com Holistic
"Internet" Magazine & Resource. We thank Spirit of
Change, New England's Premiere Holistic "Print" magazine,
for allowing us to give new life to this article and share it with
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