Calmness is the observable energy output from a regulated nervous system. When the parasympathetic portion of the autonomic nervous system is dominant, the body is in a "relaxation response." This does not mean resting, just a use of the body that supports long term survival. The opposite function of the nervous system, for short term survival, is called a "stress response" and happens when the sympathetic portion of the autonomic nervous system is dominant. While we can't control if a person or horse has a stress response, we can recognize the outward nonverbal result, the expression of stress with energy and body language that looks and feels anything but calm. Calm is the energy of pleasure hormones running through the body. Not calm can mean tense, angry, anxious, nervous, placating, stuck, frozen or shutdown. So anything other than calm, even during strenuous activities, is how we learn to recognize stress responses. Once we recognize them, then we can also develop the skill of redirecting, counteracting or repurposing all that energy towards a change of function in the nervous system. Whether the body is mostly operating in a stress response or more often in a relaxation response, especially during work, is what makes the difference to long term health. Guest: Deb Romero, Certified Alexander Technique Instructorwww.optimalposture.orgHost: Kirsten Nelsen, professional horse trainerdeveloper of Training for Optimal Balancewww.wexfordfarm.com
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