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✔ Why understanding how to self-regulate is vital 💫

Hello Beautiful Community

I’ve been working on learning the art of self-regulation (within myself first) so that from an embodied state I can share the practice with you.

What is self-regulation?

It’s the ability to manage and monitor your own behaviours, actions, energy states and thoughts in a way which produces positive results for you and those around you.

How do we do it?

We pause, tune in and listen to our body. The body wisdom always knows the what’s up and if you haven’t read this book all about it, here’s the link.

What do we do next?

After feeling into how we are in the moment it’s time to decide whether we need to up-regulate or down-regulate.

What’s the difference?

We need to UPREGULATE (fight or flight sympathetic nervous system response) when we feel in a low mood. This one or any quick vigorous movement like jumps, dancing, sprinting or breath of fire for is for you if you feel:

  • Depressed
  • Sluggish
  • Bored
  • Lazy
  • Lethargic
  • Inert
  • Down
  • Basically sick of being a couch potato!

We need to DOWNREGULATE (rest and digest parasympathetic nervous system response) when we need to calm ourselves. This one (4,7,8 breath, or any of my yoga nidra on YouTube) are for you if you feel:

  • Anxious
  • Wired
  • Jittery
  • Nervous
  • Manic
  • Overwhelmed
  • Buzzing
  • Can’t sleep

What happens when we don’t self-regulate?

We spiral. Simply put we wallow, remain stuck, get overwhelmed, continue on but procrastinating in negativity with a lack of self-control. Self-regulatory failure is a core feature of many social and mental health problems.

👀 What’s the secret sauce?

The good news is, you can self-regulate extremely quickly – in 20 seconds! ☺ The challenge is developing your awareness to pause, notice and act accordingly.

If life, we are ultimately out of control but the one thing we can control is our response.

For a longer pranayama practice, enjoy my complimentary 30 minute class here.

For those of you truly invested in strengthening your lungs and enhancing your lifeforce energy via fitness and stamina, my 16 part video tutorial Breathe Easy Pranayama course is on special offer for you throughout February.

Let me know how you get on self-regulating.

Be well,
Catherine xo

PS – If any of you are hanging out on the Clubhouse app come and hang with me and Carolyn Brown every Wednesday at 2pm GMT. Find me @yogacatherine​

PSS – A lot have you have probably read this one but I’m loving it!

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