Upon my return from the UK I am filled with mixed emotions.
I was in Manchester, the city of my Father’s birth, known as The Rainy City, and true to form it maintained its reputation. But it didn’t matter, we Carol and I, were with a group of wonderful ladies who truly inspired our enthusiasm for sharing with their presence. Amidst them I found myself falling into the familiar northern dialect more and more, day by day. I eagerly look forward to returning next year.
Class was fun and our host was incredibly hospitable. A great venue. And a great experience.
These mixed emotions arise from, a culture I grew up in, plus the simple beauty of the land once the cities are left behind. In this case it was the northern part of the Welsh coastline to where we retreated for a few days after the class, these… people and place still tug at my heart strings. I feel so very much a part of this land, but when I return to Hot Springs it feels easy, it’s also beautiful and it’s warm and sunny. Here I have experienced the joy of watching my grandchildren frolicking in the creek and a few of my students too. It’s a good place to teach, to connect and to Be.
So combining the senses of people and place got me to thinking, about why I am so passionate about the skin and our body/mind.I was struck by a quote from an eminent neurologist – “You are your brain” your thoughts, your actions, the brain is the driver. I put his quote into context with one of my favorite quotes “The Skin is the Nervous System Turned Inside Out”, indisputable, as the same cells that form the CNS in our development, divide to form the peripheral nervous system within our skin and it is from here we receive our information.
The sense, organs, continuous with the skin, the cornea of the eye, the mucus membrane of the mouth and tongue, and nose, the ears and the impulses from touching and being touched. These are the keys that are loading our brain with information during the formative years and beyond.
The Limbic System, the Amygdala, our emotional and primitive brain is the seat of our emotional memory, whether good or bad. Shapes, that represent fear or love, sounds that soothe or irritate, spoken words that inspire or cause pain, smells that tantalize the appetite or make you hold your breath, a loving touch or an angry touch, over the years we have built our perception, our stories and our responses on this input.
My love of the land comes from the truly happy moments of childhood, in which I experienced sheer abandonment surrounded by a terrain that was both beautiful to look at and listen to.
My love and fascination for the work I do is the ability to see the terrain of the body, shaped by the senses of mind, its perceptions, its strengths, it’s weaknesses and to know that in our mindful touch we affect the inner sanctum conveying a message of safety, compassion and care, so much so at times we see the unwinding of the past prisons of the mind.
The reflex system of our skin plays a significant role in the regulation of many of our functions. It is through this system we connect with the hypothalamus, our control center. All our ASTECC therapies are focused on this amazing web of connection. In awe of our incredible body/mind, I wonder just what we can and cannot achieve through the remarkable communication between our skin and brain. And just like I love to explore the land, I love to explore the potential of our work.
Please join the conversation…
Just a few images from the UKA
rich land, wild ponies wild hose hips beautiful bays and an abundance of sea plants, a healing terrain, and Wild and Wonderful Women touching the Body and Mind.
Anne & Carol teaching in Manchester, UK
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