Prana is “life force energy”… “breath”. And when stressed we think and advise to “take a deep breath”. Easy to see how we arrived at such advice.
When we are stressed we are living in the energy of the sympathetic nervous system…which is designed to be “sympathetic” to our fight or flight response. Our breath is shallow and we live in accordance to our schedule honoring it above self. Scheduled vacation is when we “take a breath” and long about the time our body trusts that it can relax (shift into the parasympathetic state) we head back to the office. Ever try to eat on the run without digestive issues? Sympathetic nervous system disregards digestion…remember it’s deciding which is needed, to fight or flee. And our bodies are not designed to live in this state. But we do. Always something to do & somewhere to go. Always someone who needs us for getting something done or getting somewhere…and the role our screen time plays is underestimated. We tend to think it’s relaxing (although addictive) because it’s our choice. But jumping onto social platforms and apps is aligned with fight or flight response as all subject you to response and you never know what’s gonna pop up on screen….. fight or flight. I suspect most people don’t know what it’s like to experience the parasympathetic state of relaxation. I know I’d forgotten.
I observed that my life was structured by the clock. 12 hours on (prep for work and work itself) and 12 hours off. But the off hours were structured as well; dedicated first to groceries, laundry, cleaning…I was rarely really fully “off”. And my adrenals needed that restful off time. And even though I rescheduled myself to do most of the adulting during the work week to allow more weekend time to relax, I soon discovered that although the push during the week suggested time enough to recover it wasn’t. I was too drained to recover by the time Monday came back around. I needed out of the fight or flight state. So I read up on saunas.
It sounds crazy thinking about a sauna when I live in an apartment with limited space. But my body had reached its limit. An infrared suana seemed a good direction and there are two types (far and near). They both support the activation of the parasympathetic nervous system (rest and digest); but I’d learned that I am more sensitive to EMF (electromagnetic field) than most, and the near infrared has none and penetrates deeper into the body to support healing than the far infrared does. It sounded great to have 30 minutes with no electromagnetic waves hitting my body since I am in front of a tower & two screens all day at work and two at home (phone and TV). It sounded great to sit in relaxing heat and use that time to meditate when I knew I wouldn’t drift off to sleep. And healing? Infrared light therapy reduces inflammation from injury and illness (such as auto immune disorders- of which I have two). It enhances the production of collagen (ahhhh youth). I was in. I bought a spa that is designed for set up in your shower so all I need is a place to stash the lighting when not in use (which I have). But when it arrived I was having continual issues with flares from RA and heat exacerbates them. Uh oh… issue wth sauna. So I reduced time and eventually had to stash it for a bit until I found success in a new prescription so my body would permit my sauna time. Now I am back in front of the lights and the first moment I sat in front of them my body melted in gratitude. I sleep better. My fingers are noticeably less swollen (and I know the prescription is also in play but I waited 3 weeks after taking the new script before using the sauna partly to observe the layered impact which is clear). My skin is changing for the positive….looks healthier (like the skin on a non exhausted body- some days it even has a little glow). This sauna is a wonderful addition for my health investment.
When I was younger I laid out in the sun. A lot. And when you lay out there is a moment when your body sighs into a deep relaxation. Mother had told me this is when your pores open and your tan really starts…..an old beachcombers tale I suppose…but what I know now from sitting in front of those sauna lights is that moment, when that tan “begins”, that’s what it feels like when your parasympathetic nervous system turns on. That full body relaxing breath that you must wait for & “receive” and can’t be made to happen. It’s no wonder beach vacations are among the most relaxing. Between the Vitamin D, the purifying salt water and the bodies full acceptance of rest…..not much can feed and warm the soul more. Pun intended.
But being nowhere near the beaches of my youth, my near infrared sauna is my portable gateway. It’s my deep breath, my Prana.
Inner Calm 