Introduction
Humans are deeply complex and intricately designed, electromagnetic, energetic, ecobiological, interconnected beings. Each is a diverse and individual expression of cosmic intelligence. However, to truly thrive, we must have a deep understanding of all aspects of our being, starting with the foundation of our biological structure and the function of our minds and bodies.
The foundation of our being is our nervous system. The nervous system is a deeply complex, individualized expression of life. Our nervous system gives life to every aspect of our being, our digestive system, immune system, endocrine system, musculoskeletal system, and every system in our body. Your nervous system enlivens and encodes, and each of us as humans has a diverse and individual nervous system. You are the only one who has lived your life, with your unique experiences, perceptions, and physical body wiring; you are truly one of a kind.
Our nervous system can be broken into many sections:
The Central Nervous System (CNS)- Brain and spinal cord
The Peripheral Nervous System (PNS) – Which branches through the rest of the body and is further separated into two more categories.
– Somatic Nervous System (SNS) – which controls muscle movements and physical control.
– Autonomic Nervous System (ANS)- Regulates inner body functions, breathing, heart rate, and temperature.
- The sympathetic nervous system- fight, flight, freeze, fawn.
- The parasympathetic nervous system- rest and digest
While we may share similarities between people because there are only so many genes, they will inevitably be recirculated and combine in specific individuals that share patterns, traits, characteristics, behaviors, and sometimes even appearance. This is a positive development because it has enabled advancements in medicine and science, allowing for the observation of patterns, identification of commonalities, and a narrowing of focus to gain a deeper understanding.
However, the problem arises when that narrowing of focus becomes the standard for life and health, reduced to a singular focus-a specialty—with an inability to see people as a whole. This restrictionism has devastated our natural health as humans. We have forgotten how our entire body is intended to function as a living, breathing being on this Earth. And for us poor westerners, many of us were deprived of ancient wisdom used for natural healing for thousands of years.
A desire to live in a way that contradicts your physiology is a choice, but it should be an informed one. We all have free will and can decide what is best for our beings and our lives. However, not living the life you desire due to a lack of understanding, thereby lacking a better choice, or being misinformed, is something I cannot handle. I believe every being has a right to a full, happy, and healthy life. Some circumstances outside of our control may inflict hardships and challenges, but to improve, we must first understand them better. We must know why we are the way we are in every capacity. We must rediscover who we are and how our specific body and brain operate.
Learning Your Body
Our unique nervous system wiring is what makes us who we are. To understand your nervous system is to gain a deep understanding of yourself, and as you work to heal, you must integrate your experiences and awareness through your nervous system. There are several observable patterns surrounding human health that we would like to highlight regarding specific body systems and their interactions with the nervous system and the entire being. However, each person is unique in their genetic and energetic make-up, so it is highly important to understand your individual brain and body type, as well as a basic understanding of how the human mind and body function.
According to Western science, there are three main somatotypes or metabolic body types:
- Endomorph-Slower metabolism tends to be heavier, rounder, and often shorter.
- Mesomorph- Balanced build, muscular frame, solid limbs.
- Ectomorph- Thin, often tall, long arms.
And any three of these combinations, totaling 11 different somatotype categories. This determines the way our bodies digest food and distribute and absorb nutrients, according to a cross-sectional study by Ras and others (2021), which discusses the nutritional status of each body type. This also highlights the indication that there are different dietary needs based on metabolic type, as well as the occurrence of specific nutritional statuses in certain somatotypes.
Body Systems
Some aspects of human nature are similar enough that we can categorize and study these areas, such as the main body systems, tissues, and organs. Starting with the nervous system, which is unique to each of us and as individual as our brain structure or a fingerprint. Neural connections and synapses transmit electromagnetic signals to different areas of the brain and body, regulating and dictating memory encoding, experiences, automatic bodily processes, movements, and are interconnected to every part of the body; it is the seat of inner intelligence. The nervous system is the foundation of the human body and the driver of homeostasis and regulation of the entire body system. Here are some examples of how the nervous system is interconnected to all other systems.
Digestive system and gut-brain axis: The “second brain”. Requires strong digestion and metabolism to properly break down and absorb the necessary nutrients and eliminate toxic waste without accumulating excess or buildup in the body. Deeply interconnected to the nervous system through the enteric nervous system and the vagus nerve, which innervate the entire abdominal cavity and all digestive organs. The gut-brain axis is a two-way communication pathway between the brain and the rest of the body that contributes to maintaining homeostasis, or a state of balanced health. Some people, particularly those with chronic illnesses, have digestive differences in the enzymes they produce, which dictate what they can or cannot digest. The more imbalanced the body, the less effective digestion is, which reduces the capacity to nourish the tissues and body. This is like gluten or dairy intolerance, where individuals lack the enzyme to break down the physical protein in the food, leading to inflammation and further issues. Different bodies need different foods to thrive, so we must find what works for us.
Microbiome: Humans are inherently a diverse ecosystem, comprised of trillions of bacteria and microorganisms. Each person has a unique microbiome, which, when out of balance, can contribute to a range of issues throughout the entire being. The gut contains a significant portion of these microbes, which help break down and absorb food. The gut is directly connected to the nervous system, in part through the communication of microbes. The entire body is an ecosystem, and the brain, skin, and gut all have individual microbiomes that are deeply interconnected and integral to the larger whole. The beneficial bacteria in the gut break down complex carbohydrates, producing short-chain fatty acids, which provide essential nutrients to the body. Nutrition and digestion are the foundation of health, and a healthy microbiome is crucial to healthy digestion and a healthy central nervous system (CNS). Additionally, the Microbiome is interconnected to the immune system, as these organisms living on and within the body play a significant role in balance and health. When the immune system is imbalanced, it responds by attempting to restore balance and eliminate the imbalanced microbiota. (Clapp, et al. 2017)
Immune system: The immune system has many jobs. Most people associate it with maintaining the body’s health and balance by protecting it from bacteria, viruses, and other microorganisms that contribute to imbalance. However, the body is an intelligent being, innately seeking balance or homeostasis. A study conducted by Marques and others (2016) reveals that the immune system is more complex than just providing protection. The immune system regulates the effects of inflammation, tissue restoration, and healing.
– Inflammation is the body’s natural defense mechanism, a natural response to injury or infection. However, when inflammation persists, it can become a silent disruptor, leading to a cascade of adverse effects on our health and well-being. Chronic inflammation can damage cellular structures, impair intercellular communication, and disrupt essential cellular processes. This negatively impacts the strength and function of the nervous system, and if the immune system is overtaxed for too long, it can cause permanent damage to the nervous system and the whole being.
Brain- The brain is my favorite area to study, as each one is unique and special in its way, and the occurrence of neuroplasticity means that it is also adaptable and can rewire itself. Sounds cool, right, like you can program it to be and do whatever we want? Not quite, because while the rewiring of the brain is limitless, the structure of the brain is not; our brain is fixed in structure during development in our mother’s womb. We are born with the brain we will have for life. Different structures and connections are fixed, meaning certain aspects will always remain that way. For example, I have aphantasia and anauralia; my mind is blind and silent (deaf). It is not pathological, it is just a difference, yet it affects every single aspect of my being.
Working Memory encoding/recall
- Experience/Perception of the World
- Autobiographical Memory
- Future Planning
- Socializing and Making Friends
- Remember Faces
- Navigate Directions
Among others, knowing how our brains are structured is vital so we can learn what can be improved and what is our innate nature and fixed. I didn’t know I was different, and that not everyone experienced the world like I do, until I was almost 30 years old. However, I also struggle with other forms of neurodiversity, which are also fixed, yet can be improved to some degree, for example:
Endocrine system: The endocrine system is responsible for regulating hormones and maintaining bodily balance. The nervous, immune, and digestive systems dictate which hormones need to be produced for a specific function or action in the body. Sex hormones for reproduction, gastric hormones for digestion, stress hormones for protection, sleep hormones for rest, and so on. Our body is a complex network of messaging systems that communicate with one another, issuing orders, creating and releasing hormones and chemical messengers nonstop. This is why a healthy balance is important because when cellular processes are disrupted, a domino effect occurs. Cells produce too much of one thing, not enough of another, receptors fail, and critical functions are unable to be completed due to a lack of appropriate resources. Malfunctioning cells wreak havoc in the body, impacting surrounding tissues and organs, and leading to widespread imbalances. This shift from a state of harmony (homeostasis) to one of ongoing adaptation (allostasis) is beneficial in the short term. Still, if not promptly balanced, it can increase the allostatic load and pave the way for chronic disease. Hormones are a major player in this imbalance, especially the stress hormones, which cause a cascade effect to happen that perpetuates the cycle of disorder. When this switch is activated, it is a normal function of the body, if it deactivates soon after. The issue is not toggling back and forth; it’s when the toggle switch gets stuck that the body thinks it’s in constant danger. The nervous system response supports this fear, by finding more ways to identify fear, activating the sympathetic nervous system, the hormones increase, the sensory perception becomes more sensitive allowing for more minor disturbances to elicit the same response, and now we are in a viscous cycle, trying to reteach our bodies what safety looks and feels like to stop that over flooding stress hormones.
Musculoskeletal system: The body is connected from the tongue to the toes through networks of muscles, fascia, tendons, ligaments, etc. Different body types have distinct structures, alignments, and compositions that comprise their physical form. It is essential to understand your specific body, as the likelihood of a muscular imbalance is significantly increased if you are hypermobile, have a connective tissue disorder, or are neurodivergent. However, that is just one example.
Movement and exercise are essential for a healthy body, primarily because without regular movement, fascia can accumulate between tissues, leading to restrictions or adhesions, such as atrophy, where the body becomes restricted, loses strength, volume, and function. This, of course, directly impacts flexibility and mobility, leading to tight muscles that cause tension and pain throughout the body. (Langevin, 2021)
So, we must relearn how to deeply connect with our inner sensory perceptions, so we can not only understand our body structure, listen to our body, and honor our limits, we can integrate our awareness to feel the fascia connections, the muscle tension, pinpoint the area of discomfort and try different ways to help. I have found trigger point massage to be significantly relieving. Everyone is different, so it’s essential to find what works with your body type. A body scan meditation or reflective restorative yoga can help with this internal connection.
Caring for your body and mind
Depending on your natural composition, diet, lifestyle, sleep needs, and social needs, they all vary. However, there are a few options for movement that can address many aspects of your being, proven both by science and traditional wisdom. Yoga.
Yoga has long been revered as a low-impact, gentle way to lengthen, strengthen, and tone the entire body. The principle behind yoga is the mind-body connection, which is what I was referring to. We must reopen that connection to our inner feelings and sensations, grounding ourselves in our bodies, to work in harmony with our mind and body, not against them.
Yoga has also been shown to improve mental stress, anxiety, depression, physical strength, mobility, sleep quality, and more. Woodyard (2021) claims that yoga can change and dramatically improve the overall quality of life. During her study, she found that yoga, when done regularly, improved circulation, breathing, and respiration, and can aid in treating addiction.
There are many kinds of yoga, and each one has its benefits: you can explore more about the most popular types here.
However, the underlying factor of yoga that makes it so transformative and powerful in restoring the body is the increased mind-body connection. The greater awareness we have of our internal and external worlds, the clearer and more aligned our lives become. When we practice yoga and focus on our movements, sensory experiences, and breathing, we check out of our mind, away from our circumstances and troubles, and check into our body. Each time we practice, that skill gets a little stronger, deepening our ability to listen to and honor our body. This inner awareness, the inner presence, gradually becomes more natural, enabling you to recognize your body’s needs and limits more quickly and promoting systemic balance by encouraging rest and recovery, thereby rehabilitating the mind and body as a whole. (Woodyard, 2021)
However, exercise is not the only factor; in fact, it’s not even the most important. Nutrition is the foundation of health and eating for your body. The way we present ourselves in our daily life is what is most important. What are we giving our attention to? What time are we going to sleep? What are we eating? Do we have supportive, loving people in our lives? Are we exposing ourselves to things that are scary and negatively affecting our emotional state? Are we listening to our negative thoughts? Are we procrastinating? Our daily life sets the tone for the rest of our lives. Unless we consciously curate it, we risk gliding through life, existing but not thriving, because you cannot truly support yourself and have a healthy mind and body if you do not know yourself and intentionally craft your lifestyle around your being.
A Connected Mind and Body
When our brains are connected deeply to our body, our intuitive awareness or consciousness is alive and strong. We are in tune with both our inner world and our outer world. We are whole. We understand why we operate the way we do. We can see our strengths and our vulnerabilities; we have integrated all parts of our being into our awareness. We know what our beings need to thrive, and we actively and intentionally support them. Suddenly, we no longer see ourselves as broken or failures, but rather as having specific needs that need to be met.
Before we can be whole and healthy, someone must understand us deeply and provide us with what we need or teach us how to meet our own unique needs. Not many people are lucky enough to have deeply attuned parents who help them understand themselves from an early age, leaving many of us to search for and discover who we are much later in life. Usually, when something happens that has a negative impact and forces us to reevaluate our lives, we realize that something must change. Then the journey begins, the journey to different, to better, less stress, improved health, balance, and bliss.
The more we learn about ourselves and deeply connect with our inner intelligence, the more we are integrating our experiences. As we journey through life, when something comes to our mind, we have a choice whether to believe it or not. We will be learning and unlearning our whole lives. The nature of life is to grow, to change, to evolve, because life is not stagnant.
Our nature is to grow, to discover our innate selves, to be connected in body and mind, to understand the depth of humanity. To realize that it’s all just patterns of behavior, subconscious beliefs, outdated programs, and biases —stories told to us and about us, fears, desires, unrealistic expectations, and other things that prevent us from being healthy and whole. There are aspects outside of our control, but so much ill health stems from the lack of connection to one’s most authentic self.
Masking and pretending to be someone they are not, to fit in, to stay safe, to feel loved, to feel needed, valued, and important. People hide themselves for all kinds of reasons, but how can you take care of a body you don’t know? How can you love and support a body you don’t listen to? Maybe you have a body you can’t even hear because your mind is so loud. That means you have a lot to integrate through your nervous system; it means you have a journey. But we all do.
And the more we commit to learning about ourselves, the more we can make intentional choices that support our needs. Some people require more sleep than others, at different times, in various environments, with different diets, beverages, activities, and lifestyles. We each must figure out what works for our nature. A significant way this can be achieved is through meditation. Studies have shown that meditation has the potential to help rewire the brain, reduce stress, expand conscious awareness, observe psychological patterns, and enhance mindfulness by fostering a deeper connection with the body.
Additional note, for those of use who what experienced trauma, it is not enough to integrate it into your nervous system and awareness, as those experiences often become trapped in the body in the form of fascia due to hypertonic (really tight) muscles that are not fully releasing and forming unnatural bands of connective tissue through the muscles, leading to tightness and complete body imbalance. Somatic integration therapies, including massage therapy, manual therapy, and myofascial release therapy, can all be helpful in moving stuck fascia and freeing up the surrounding tissues, thereby improving circulation and mobility.
Our experiences and lifestyle profoundly affect our whole being in numerous ways. Everything is interconnected and affects each other. Our environment, pesticides, toxic waste, pollution, adverse childhood experiences, abuse, addiction, poverty, racism, neglect, abandonment. There is so much that affects the human body that the only power we have is control over our being in the present. Learning about our body and mind, and those of our families whom we care for, and mindfully acting.
A comprehensive understanding of the human body has been published in Western science, encompassing numerous disciplines. However, there is only so far, in my opinion, that Western science can go at this time. We are not just a physical body, but an energetic ecosystem. We must honor the subtler aspects of humanity if we hope to achieve balance. We’ve discussed microbiomes, the nervous system, our psychological states, and everything in between. So, the last area I want to touch on is the biofield that surrounds our bodies as energetic beings on this Earth.
Intro to Energy
To many people, the idea that we are energetic beings seems outlandish and make-believe, that if it cannot be seen or proven, it cannot possibly be real. Allow me to explain how and why energy is real. To do this, we’re going to go back a bit to physics and explore the laws of nature that govern our universe.
Many ancient traditions and wisdom consider the energy of the universe and its interaction with human beings. Ayurveda, TCM, Buddhism, and Reiki, among others, posit that energy or the smallest fundamental blocks of nature are responsible for everything in the universe. There is an understanding of the differences between energies, elements, and intelligences that exist within and around us, through the universe, and are governed by universal laws.
There are 12 universal laws. However, we will only cover a few, starting with the law of vibration. This law states that everything is made up of vibrating energy. And when connected to the Planck-Einstein Equation, we can take that context one step further. The theory posits that energy is not distributed or absorbed continuously but in discrete packages of energy called quanta, which move in pulses or waves.
As we know, energy cannot be created or destroyed; it can only be transferred and moves due to the law of attraction. At the very base, atoms and subatomic particles of all things contain different electrons, protons, and neutrons, which have their specific structure and electromagnetic charge. These particles are attracted to other energies to complete their bonds, depending on what they need, such as positive or negative charges. The Planck-Einstein theory states that the energy (E) of a photon is proportional to its frequency (f), and is given by the equation:
E = hf, where h is Planck’s constant.
The Planck-Einstein theory explains the proportional relationship between light and frequency; the greater the energy of the photon, the higher the frequency. 1. However, humans cannot see frequencies outside of the visible light spectrum ranging between – which is where other frequencies come into play, such as with vibration, sound therapy, wavelengths or quanta of electromagnetic energy moving through time and space, based on the law of attraction to go to the cells, tissues, and body systems with like frequencies, or to the place that needs it to complete an electromagnetic bond.
The Human Biofield
Each person’s body operates uniquely at their frequency. There are ranges considered to be “normal” for the whole-body system as well as for each tissue. Using special equipment, the electromagnetic field or biofield of the human body can be measured, mapped, and influenced. Wiginton and others (2022), conducted a study that showed that the electromagnetic field of the human brain could be continuously measured, non-invasively through the scalp of the head (1.) We understand the electrical communications sent and received all through our bodies, via our nervous system, which act as the highway of information (electromagnetic pulses) that run through our body informing our experiences, perception, memories, feelings, and thoughts.
This is important because, for so long, many regarded this realm of science as pseudoscience or woo-woo. Yet, we now have further proof of the human biofield and the electromagnetic field that surrounds all living things, as it pushes and pulls electromagnetic currents through time and space. For the human body, a primary factor in the exchange of electromagnetic energy is the toroidal field created by the heart.
Western science has finally caught up, and it has been scientifically accepted to refer to this energy force as the biofield; however, the full depth and interaction of the energetic body, as understood by Western science, remains to be explored. This is where the wisdom of ancient medical systems and traditions shines; they possess a comprehensive understanding of human nature that encompasses its energetic aspects.
Many of these ancient wisdoms, traditions, and philosophies from the Eastern world have a foundation built around the concept of the energetic body. They understand the interconnectedness of life and the base concept of energy or light as the source of all life. 3. In Japanese culture, the vital life force is Ki; in Chinese culture, it is Qi; in Hindu and Buddhist culture, it is Prana, as well as many other individual countries with slightly differing views, but a commonality of acknowledging the undercurrent of energy as a fundamental force of life and nature.
Join me in the next section, Guided by Wisdom to Transcend Your Roots, and expand your awareness of your whole being through the lens of Ayurveda and other holistic modalities.
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Langevin, H. M. (2021, July 8). Fascia mobility, proprioception, and myofascial pain. Life (Basel, Switzerland). Link to Article
Woodyard, C. (2011, July). Exploring the therapeutic effects of yoga and its ability to increase quality of life. International journal of yoga. Link to Article
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Das, K., Mukherjee, K., Ganguli, S., Pal, S., & Bagchi, S. S. (2021, May 10). The association between somatotype and nutritional status: A cross-sectional study among the adult sabar males of Purulia, West Bengal, India – International Journal of Anthropology and Ethnology. SpringerOpen. Link to Article
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