Read the April 2021 newsletter here:

Here comes the sun! – https://mailchi.mp/f34fbd35ecc7/here-comes-the-sun 

This month’s newsletter contains:

An article – ‘Your home has feelings too’ by Gabrielle Anya Rafello

A free online workshop on dowsing

Dates for your diary

A FREE prize draw

A presentation ‘How to Have Connected Conversations’ from the Koorana Foundation.

Read the March 2021 newsletter here:

What happens in a gong bath? – https://mailchi.mp/d00e96b0aac9/q-what-happens-in-a-gong-bath

This month’s newsletter contains:

A link to a FREE talk on ‘Practical Colour’ with Theresa Sundt 19/3/21

The opportunity to join a FREE Spring Equinox Meditation on 20/3/21

An article/interview on the magic of distant healing with Bleau

An interview with Allan ‘What happens in a gong bath?’

A video from Caroline Rushforth on how to overcome feelings of stuckness

Dates for your diary

An online healing and development group – March meeting will look at how to do oracle readings

Details of a brand new raw juice company delivering in mid Sussex plus a FREE gift when you place your first order!

A presentation ‘Conscious Caring’ from the Koorana Foundation, to support anyone in a caring role (contains a guided relaxation/meditation)

How can the experience of stress and anxiety be reduced by the breath?

Well deep within each of us is a nervous system and in that we have two main branches: the central nervous system (CNS) and the peripheral nervous system (PNS). The PNS contains a further sub-division called the autonomic nervous system, which is in charge of regulating all involuntary responses such as breathing, heart rate, blood pressure and digestion.

Now although these all occur automatically, the breath is unique in the sense that it is the only function we are able to consciously control. This is why the breath is so valuable, as it essentially provides us with a key to ‘nervous system regulation’. In other words, when we breath right we can release anxiety and stress by soothing the nervous system.

Within the autonomic nervous system, there are a further two branches – the sympathetic (which is related to fight/flight/freeze) and the parasympathetic (which is related to rest/digest/relaxation). During times of high stress or anxiety, the sympathetic nervous system is activated and the stress hormone cortisol floods the body; heart rate and breathing rate increase and we often experience a number of uncomfortable emotions.

At this very moment, the breath becomes our best friend! It is our magic tool that can regulate our nervous system and bring us out of fight/flight/freeze mode and straight into rest and relaxation.

So, perhaps next time you find yourself feeling overly anxious, panicked or stressed, have a go at taking several long, slow (5-7 seconds), deep breaths. In through the nose, and out through the nose (or mouth). This will activate your parasympathetic nervous system, and you are likely to experience greater feelings of clarity, rest and relaxation. This is a wonderful tool that can be skillfully used throughout your day to lower levels of high anxiety!

By Izzy Cloke, Mindfulness Teacher at the Koorana Centre, Ardingly