A personal experience
Almost a decade ago I used to work as a physiotherapist in a school for children with profound physical disability and a multitude of specific learning difficulties. I was recently asked to go back to teach Yoga classes as part of their sports week. I had an idea as to what I would teach and how I would teach it. There were around 8-10 students in each class. Each class threw up its own challenges, which required a different response in how I adapted and responded in terms of my teaching.
On reflection, one class stood out in terms of how I used the power of intention and interestingly not intentionally, it was a gut reaction that I intuitively followed. In this particular class, there was a young lad who was showing signs of distress at being hoisted out of his wheelchair to lie on the floor. There was no apparent sign of physical discomfort, more a sense of anxiety at an unfamialiar task led by an unfamiliar person. He was verbalising his distress loudly , which created a sense of disquiet with the other children in the class. As a teacher, you can feel when a class is not going well... and this was one of those moments!!! I became very tense.
I let go of what I was trying to teach , lay down beside the the boy, after a few moments I rested my hand on his forearm, felt the tension in his body, softened my hand and opened my heart, picked up the rythmn of his breath, and quietly and calmly instructed him and the whole class to simply feel the rise and fall of their breath. Within thirty seconds his body softened, within a minute his verbalisation ceased ,and as his anxiety and fear diminshed, and the whole class quietened. Then I could teach the class.What a priviledge to be able to work with these children in this way. When children feel safe and supported then they are ready to learn.
This was the feedback I received form the school...'Hi Stuart , just wanted to thank you for yesterday - there have been some brilliant reviews from the students. I hope it won’t be too long before we can have you back again x'
What was at work here?
The influence of one person's intentions on another person's physiology is an area that has been explored in various fields, including psychology, social neuroscience, and mind-body medicine. While the research in this area is still evolving, there is some evidence to suggest that one person's intentions can have an impact on another person's physiology through social and interpersonal processes. Here are a few relevant findings:
Social and Emotional Contagion: Research has shown that emotions and physiological states can be contagious within social interactions. For example, studies have demonstrated that observing someone in a state of stress or relaxation can elicit similar physiological responses in the observer, such as changes in heart rate, cortisol levels, and skin conductance.
Empathy and Interpersonal Synchronization: Empathy, the ability to understand and share another person's emotions, has been associated with physiological synchronization between individuals. When people empathize with others, their physiological responses, including heart rate and skin conductance, can mirror those of the person they are empathizing with.
Therapeutic Relationships: In therapeutic settings, the intentions and attitudes of healthcare providers can impact the physiological responses of their patients. Research has shown that positive therapeutic relationships characterized by empathy, trust, and support can lead to better patient outcomes, including improved physiological markers such as blood pressure, heart rate, and immune function.
Mindfulness and Compassion Practices: Mindfulness and compassion practices, which involve cultivating positive intentions towards oneself and others, have been found to influence physiological responses. For instance, studies have shown that mindfulness training can lead to reductions in stress-related physiological markers and improvements in overall well-being. Similarly, practices focused on generating compassionate intentions have been associated with increased heart rate variability and improvements in social connectedness.
While these findings suggest that one person's intentions can influence another person's physiology, it's important to note that the effects can vary depending on factors such as the quality of the relationship, the context of the interaction, and individual differences in receptivity.
Touch, self compassion and vulnerability
Last week we worked with touch and self compassion. I actually have found it quite gobsmacking that in all the years I have been using touch in my work as an hollistic physiotherapist I have not thought of using it upon myself!! I have found it very powerful, in how it has enabled me to open , soften and connect in a different way to which I have used mindful movement. So continuing with touch and self compassion this week, I am hoping to reinforce this skill for your benefit as well as my own.
So when I look at my physiotherapy practice and my use of touch, then what is it that enables me to connect with the people I work with, in the way that I do. Here is a note from someone who has just been on a retreat that I run.
........I'm just revelling in feeling more like myself; being able to walk with an almost normal gait and having some speed and strength. I don't know what you did, but the swelling has reduced and the excruciating pain that I was experiencing if I caught my foot the wrong way has disappeared. So thank you for that. It's not perfect, but so so much better.
So what was it that I did?? Well I guess no different than what I did with the young lad. Through education , I was able to dampen down anxiety and fear of what was happening in their body. through negotiating a plan together, building a sense of trust and hope. Then from a 'hands on' perspective, I simply listened from my heart, invited a sense of openess, space , softness and connection.
So why on earth have I not been using that same sense of touch with myself!! My gut feeling is that my ego (head) has always been ruling my heart. I am sure some of you will have felt the same sense of vulnerabiity I have felt, in working with your own hearts. In the context of the therapist patient relationship I feel no resistance to opening my heart. but when it comes to oneself, I have bumped into barriers. barriers that are not necessarily at a conscious level, but at a level, that steers us clear of deeper waters.
I have to imagine I am working with the young lad in my yoga class. I have to recognise and become aware of the sense of anxiety and vulnerability I have when engaging with my heart space, using touch, to open, soften and connect. I have to settle into my breath and work from the heart. I invite you to do the same in this weeks class. Enjoy!
Week Four Summer Term Age Well Yoga.
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