Stressed to Blessed: How I made the shift

Let me ask you a question: who do you become when you’re stressed?

Last week, I embarked on a 6-month experiment living in Mexico and everything was going swimmingly. The cool mountain breeze blowing through my open windows, the vibrant colors of the flowers I encountered on my walks to the market, and the comfort of my cozy casita all filled me with a sense of joy and ease.

But in an instant everything changed. My microphone, a crucial component in my online PranaShakti class, wouldn't work. Suddenly, I found myself spiraling from a state of bliss into a state of panic. You may be thinking, "What's the big deal?" But for me, connecting heart-to-heart with my community  and sharing the gift of movement mean the world to me.

The irony of the situation was not lost on me. As a health scientist I know that when panic sets in, my neocortex, the part of my brain responsible for higher reasoning, goes offline. Instead, I find myself being run by a frightened seven-year-old, convinced that the world is ending. Furthermore, stress has a way of stealing oxygen from our bodies, which is not ideal when one is living at an altitude of 6,800 ft.

Thankfully, I was able to create a workaround using my AirPods as a microphone, and my class went off without a hitch. By the end of class, I felt a sense of sweet relief wash over me. It was in that moment that I realized, more than ever before, that connection and movement are the best medicine for a stressful life.

I’d love for you to join me for some movement medicine this week in my virtual studio. Meanwhile, here’s a 5 minute video I created to support you in times of stress.

May we all find the strength to face our challenges, and the wisdom to know when to turn to the healing power of connection and movement.

From stressed to blessed,
Deb