Using your body to heal your mind emotions and spirit
a) The mind and body are intimately connected.--Today’s adults live with approximately 100 times more stress, anxiety, and depression than their grandparents--Stress and conflict exacerbates illness and disease--Chronic stress can make us more vulnerable to develop cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and depression
What can we do to heal our mind and body?--Practice centering techniques to produce emotional and physical stability--Practice self-soothing techniques:
deep breathingvisualizationlaughter (releases pleasure-producing endorphins that counteract stress hormones)deep play
--Exercise/dance/express yourself - Yoga, Zumba, Pilates, Tai Chi, Nia, etc.
The Nia Technique--A mind-body fitness practice--Encompasses concepts and movements from the martial arts, dance arts, and healing arts--Uses systemic whole body movement to your body’s way--Practiced in bare feet to music from around the globe
Barbara L. Starling, LMSW, ASCW, CAADC is a clinical social worker in Lansing, Michigan. She
also holds White, Green, and Blue Belts in The Nia Technique and teaches regularly in the Lansing area. She can be reached at [email protected]
What is the feeling of being Centered ?
Can create rigid body structures
The need to express ourselves through movement is very old.
Many systems of movement both ancient and modern,
One modern system: Nia
Integrates concepts and philosophy's from the martial arts, dance arts and healing arts
Benefits of Nia: Sensory awareness Balanced and healthy nervous system Powerful breathing and circulation
system Balanced and integrated emotional body Self healing and self confidence
Multidimensional effects of deep breathing
The way we breathe affects the nervous system
Branches signal automatic physiological reactions in the body (fight or flight or relaxation response)
Diaphragmatic breathing = empowerment
Breathing has the ability to change the pharmacy within the brain body.
Potent and Powerful enough to quiet the nervous system or
Elevate the body level of excitation
Let’s move…….
Bertherat, Therese and Bernstein, Carol. 1989. The Body has its Reasons. Healing Arts Press. Rochester, Vermont.
Crum, Thomas F. 1987. The Magic of Conflict: Turning a Life of Work into a Work of Art. Touchstone. New York, New York.
Ferguson, Jacquelyn. 2010. Let Your Body Win: Stress Management Plain and Simple. Whole Person Associates, Inc. Deluth, MN.
Hendricks, Gay and Wills, Russel. 1975. The Centering Book: Awareness Activities for Children & Adults to Relax the Body & Mind. Prentice Hall Press. New York, New York.
Johnson, Don H., and Grand, Ian J., eds. 1998. The Body in Psychotherapy. North Atlantic Books. Berkeley, California.
1. Healing Senses by Parijat2. Heal This Land by Tina Malia from The
Silent Awakening CD3. No Quiero Nada Mas by Sancti Spiritus4. Prayer for Grace by Michael Franti5. River Crossing by Nomad6. Breathe by Karen Drucker from The
Heart of Healing CD
Barbara StarlingLMSW, ACSW, [email protected]
For Nia class information
internationallyNianow.com
Thank You!