DailyOM: What inspired you to create this course on the parasympathetic nervous system?
Erin: I wanted to share all that I have learned through my 15-plus years working directly with people living with multiple sclerosis. MS is a neurological autoimmune disorder of the central nervous system. Damage happens to the protective coating covering the nerves (myelin sheath), which disrupts the normal flow of electrical impulses along the nerves.
By working on a body where the nervous system is disrupted, I have learned extraordinary lessons about how the body regenerates. I have been blown away by the leaps and bounds my clients have achieved through unique interventions on their nervous systems. I have used the same techniques on people who do not have a neurological disorder and have experienced equally amazing results.
This is due to the body's remarkable ability to learn how to do things differently when one route is broken, lost, or missing. Neuroplasticity involves the new formation of neural connections along with the strengthening of weak connections. It is basically our brain's ability to adapt, grow, and learn in new ways. I like to think of it as the body's way of learning a new "language of movement." This course offers unique opportunities for students to learn more about their own nervous system and movement potential.
DailyOM: Is it really possible for people to transform and enhance their parasympathetic nervous system?
Erin: It is! That is precisely why I created this course. The parasympathetic branch of the nervous system is where our bodies recover, repair, and heal. When the body predominantly exists in a heightened state of stress, every system experiences strain, and when this happens, body-wide function can diminish. I have learned that by tuning into what is happening inside my body, I am able to more effectively stay in my body.
We have five traditional senses: taste, sight, touch, smell, and hearing. A concept highlighted throughout the course is called interoception — the ability to sense what is happening inside of the body. Self-knowledge of your body and mind is a superpower, which enhances the parasympathetic nervous system. This knowledge allows you to engage in strategies that help you enter into a more optimal zone of regulation.
DailyOM: Please provide some insights into how you've integrated your work involving fascia with that of the nervous system. What makes it effective?
Erin: Fascia and the nervous system are best buddies. They are both communication heroes in the body. Fascia houses an incredible amount of nerve receptors for both pain and proprioception (sensing where our body is in space), and it holds a ton of information about what is happening inside our bodies at all times, as long as we tune in and listen to what it is saying. We can learn about our habitual movement patterns, muscular imbalances, problematic postures, and fascial restrictions, all of which can inhibit the nervous system from relaying messages throughout the body.
There is a direct interface between the two systems making it imperative that each of them function optimally. Imagine a highway on which you travel to a desired destination. In one scenario, the highway is wide and open, and you can get to your destination with ease and speed. In another scenario, the highway is jam-packed, so no one is getting anywhere quickly. Healthy fascia allows the nerves to travel easily while thick, dense, or sticky fascia makes it really difficult for your nerves to get to their destination. By conditioning the fascia to slide and glide, especially in areas with high parasympathetic influence, we will heal the environment in which our nervous system lives.
DailyOM: Students are introduced to unique neurological concepts in each lesson. Elaborate on the various topics found within the course and why you chose this framework?
Erin: The nervous system is vast and there is still so much to learn about how it works. Through my experience, I have gotten a glimpse of many unique attributes of the nervous system that we can all benefit from. Some of the concepts students will encounter throughout the course include proprioception, interoception, mental imagery, vagal nerve stimulation, neuroplasticity, neuro myofascial system, and conscious awareness. (If you have no idea what those words mean, have no fear! I walk you through each concept in the course, and I promise it isn't as daunting as it may seem.)
The course was designed to offer students various methods for accessing their parasympathetic nervous system. There are many possible ways in which to do this, and each student will be able to try them all and find what works best for them.
DailyOM: "Dysregulation" is currently a buzz word. Is achieving "regulation" of the nervous system the primary goal of the course? And if not, what is the goal?
Erin: Wouldn't it be nice if we were all "regulated" all the time? Unfortunately, that is unlikely and also not the goal of the course. Instead, we must try to embrace uncomfortable emotional extremes while knowing that we have reliable methods to get back into our bodies when we are ready.
The good news is that we have the ability to train our bodies to cultivate calmness by practicing the transition from an elevated state to one of composure and mindfulness. With practice, we can transition into the parasympathetic nervous system with ease. As a result, an improved neurological response emerges, leading to more control over the body's reaction to stress and pain. The ultimate goal is for the student to have the capability to enter into deep embodiment where they are safe and at home in their body.
DailyOM: What sets this course apart when compared to conventional methods to enhance the nervous system?
Erin: There are amazing techniques available to help people feel less stressed — some of which include deep breathing, yoga, meditation, and sun exposure. I greatly value each of these methods but have evolved to incorporate innovative sensory awareness movements to further develop and enhance the parasympathetic. In order to feel the body, you have to be in the body!
Some techniques throughout the course involve postural adjustments, targeted fascia activations, micromovements, and recognition of habitual movement patterns. I will share a little secret: Students will learn to use the toilet in a new way! Students will discover a tool to find immediate relaxation. They also will practice unique eye stretches and learn two highly repeatable nervous system sequences for the morning and evening. The significance of a well-balanced nervous system is paramount for overall physical and mental well-being!
DailyOM: Erin, we're so grateful that you took the time to create this course to help us to tune into our bodies and learn a "new language of movement." Your insights and experiences provide an incredible guide with a variety of new strategies to improve our parasympathetic nervous system. Until next time, be well.
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