Module 3: Unpacking the Emotional This module is a deep dive into the land of emotions, feelings and all the things that either create or break down connection. We live in a culture where the landscape of emotion is not readily embraced or understood, meaning that many of us spend a lifetime feeling weird and even a little crazy for feeling stuff and being emotional. The reality is that the feeling state is our natural state, as it is with horses, and when we take the time and get courageous enough to hang out and get comfy in this space, our newfound skills and understanding can positively influence everything in our lives. In our case, the first frontier of this exploration is with our horses as they act as an incredible barometer for us within the emotional. Our connection to feelings, and the connection in feelings Congruency is a word you re about to get a whole lot more familiar with! And you re probably going to get tired of me telling you to breath all the time and to check in with your body and find your awareness. But the reality is, these simple tools and concepts that are constantly at our disposal can make a world of difference. As we dive into the emotional, our focus will be varied but on track towards greater and greater comfort in the navigation of something that for generations has been rather uncomfortable. In our travels we ll be exploring the Metal element, made up of the Lung and Large Intestine Meridians. This element and it s meridians are essential in both the processing/integration and releasing (if necessary) of emotions, as well as being deeply connected to the quality of the breath and the emotion of grief. Moving to the next energy centre in our travels, we ll be focusing in on the Heart Chakra, intrinsically linked to our ability to connect and relate to others and to our feeling state. The endocrines we ll be working with is the thymus gland, related to both heart protection and immune function, and the thyroid gland, related to our ability to express what is arising and communicate our feelings and needs. The physical systems we ll be exploring during the first module are the endocrine system (very important when it comes to moods!), respiratory system, the integumentary system (skin), and aspects of the circulatory system.. We ll be looking at the herbs, supplements, vitamins and minerals that build the well-being of these important systems, as well as simple ways to help bring them into balance easily.!1
The Heart Chakra (Anahata) Located in the chest, at the heart centre, the heart chakra is an integrating and unifying chakra, connecting all of the other energy centres and often thought of as the healing centre of the body, with love being the healing agent. The Sanskrit name Anahata means love through your life and it s energy reminds us that we are a part of something much bigger, and connected to a web of relationships that we may not even see. The heart chakra is represented by the colour green and it s role is to help us live a life of compassion and kindness, to be gentle, understanding and loving. For many, bringing peace and healing to this energy centre for themselves and others is their lives missions. Animal Intuitive Laura Bird sees horses as being the main frequency holder for this chakra on the planet - it is all about true partnership and being of service rather than being in servitude. This chakra is often out of balance when a horse is grieving (eg. Foal separated from mother), or when they have experienced past abuse. By drawing attention to this chakra through energy work it is possible to release some of this trauma. It is also related to the thoracic vertebrae, heart, lungs, and immune system. You can access this centre from between the front legs, the front of the chest, or just before the withers. Imbalances in the Heart Chakra If there is an imbalance in the heart chakra you will often find depression, sadness or even apathy - there may be issues in circulation, the lungs, the legs and feet (lameness, especially in the front end). In horses, when this chakra is out of balance, you ll often feel a great deal when you re around them or conversely, nothing at all. When the heart chakra is closed, connection will feel almost impossible to make. This horse will feel unavailable to connecting on this level. Balancing this energy centre requires a safe connection to our feelings and the ability to hold safe space for the other - the only way out is through with this chakra - so letting yourself move the emotion through expression, crying, journalling or however it wants to move.!2
The Metal Element Traditional Chinese Medicine is all about the flow of Qi, with positive (Yang) and negative (Yin) components that move through channels in the body called meridians. An imbalance between yin and yang or blockages in the meridians can cause issues. By working with acupressure points, the Qi is harmonized and homeostasis is re-established. Each meridian relates to a specific organ and even certain muscles. The Metal Element relates to the emotion of grief and the energy of dispersion (dispersing the active memory or emotional charge around a memory) or letting go. In an imbalanced Metal element state the process becomes a disintegration (not integrating) which does not allow grief to move, leading to stuckness or dis-ease. During this module, we ll be focused on the two meridians associated with the Metal element: the Large Intestine and the Lung meridian. Yin Organ: Lung (3-5am)!3
Yin organs are more dense and more interior and are essential to the continuation of life. They produce Qi and blood and are responsible for the maintenance of life. The Lungs govern respiration and our ability to breathe, and they are affected by dryness (climate). They are said to house the physical representation of the soul, allowing us to breathe in life and respond to our environment by giving feeling and sensation to our experiences. They also have the role of generating grief, allowing us to release attachments to people, animals and things that are no longer in our lives. They are essential for the development of a deep full inhalation and exhalation. The Lungs rule our skin and spread the Wei Qi energy along the skin and through the respiratory passage as a way to nourish and protect these delicate tissues - through this means they also sensitize us to our environment, especially through the sense of smell, and strengthen our intuition. Through a full inhale we can release emotions and speak in a strong, clear voice, giving voice to our emotions and our inner landscape. Because the Lungs play an essential role in the cultivation and spreading of Qi throughout the body, they are paramount in governing our overall energy levels. When the Lungs are strong, we breathe in life, and we let go of things, people, problems that are no longer ours to keep. Strong lungs allow us to reach out and take from the world that which is rightfully ours. - Dr. Don Pilopovich Lung Meridian functions: Exchange Qi - receive Pure Qi, release Impure Qi Transform Qi - mix Pure Qi and Food Qi to make True Qi Controls blood vessels - maintains health of blood vessels Circulates blood - helps Heart to circulate blood Circulates Wei Qi - spreads Wei Qi along body surfaces Descends Fluids - directs Fluids downward Controls skin - distributes fluids/blood to nourish skin Regulates nose/smell - governs ability to smell Generates grief - helps release past to you can be here now Governs the voice - ability to speak with clear voice Houses the Bodily soul - gives us the ability to feel and move Muscles related to the Lung meridian: Posterior and Mid Deltoids, Diaphragm, Coracobrachialis, Anterior Serratus!4
Yang Organ: Large Intestine (5-7am) Yang organs are hollow, more exterior and more dispensable. They store but do not produce. The Large Intestine meridian helps the Lungs fulfill it s functions as well as helping to maintain blood volume and supporting the body in letting go of impurities through elimination. It s function is strongly influenced by the Spleen, which means that many issues in the Large Intestine are actually addressed by working with the Spleen/ Pancreas network. Large Intestine Meridian functions: Absorbs fluids - reabsorbs fluids to maintain blood volume Eliminates the impure - excretes impure thoughts, emotions, food Generates grief - allows us to let go and move on!5
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Muscles related to the Large Intestine meridian: Hamstrings, Fascia Lata, Quadratus Lumborum The Thymus (Endocrine) The thymus plays an important role in immune function, helping the body protect itself against autoimmunity and contributing to the health of the lymphatic system. It is also responsible for the production of disease fighting T-cells. In conventional medicine, this glands working life occurs up until puberty, after which it is slowly converted into fatty tissue. In energy medicine, this gland represents a significant and highly sensitive energy centre. It is the same gland we use to test supplements and as a tapping point for contacting the heart. In fact, the thymus is thought of as the heart s protector, shielding this essential organ when it deems it necessary. Our balancing in the thymus then, is often on an over or under armouring of the heart, creating immune changes or structural issues. It is a highly emotional gland with a beautiful and important job! The Thyroid (Endocrine) The thyroid gland is one getting a lot of press as of late! Not only does it play a significant role in metabolism, it also has countless functions that keep the body running smoothly and it s cellular function on track through the production of TH3 and TH4. This gland is a butterfly shape and is located at the throat. Signs of an imbalanced thyroid include fatigue, weight gain or loss, feeling depressed or anxious, difficulty concentrating and poor memory, dry skin, constipation and more. It is estimated that millions of people, especially women, have an imbalanced thyroid. Interestingly, on the energetic and emotional levels the thyroid represents our ability to speak up, to speak or truth and to speak from the heart. It also represents our ability to share and be open about our emotions.!7
The Endocrine System In our exploration of the emotional, it is important to touch on the endocrine system and it s potent affect on our moods. This system releases chemical messengers into the blood stream, with these messages reaching their target organ or system and eliciting a specific result. The endocrine system and the nervous system are linked by the hypothalamus in the brain, which is responsible for keeping us alive and well. Sometimes, however, an imbalance in either of these systems, trauma, or other issues, may produce an overly reactive and sensitive hypothalamus, causing a inflated response in the endocrine system to perceived stress. This system is comprised of these main glands: 1) Pineal 2) Pituitary 3) Thyroid/Parathyroid 4) Thymus 5) Pancreas 6) Adrenals 7) Ovaries/ Testes. Each of these glands produces hormones, stimulated by the pituitary gland (the master gland) which is in direct contact and communication with the hypothalamus. As we see with our menstrual cycles, hormonal shifts within the body can have a profound affect on mood, energy levels and general feelings of well-being. In horses, especially mares, hormonal shifts can affect performance, mood, levels of pain and discomfort, weight, metabolism, and the health of all the systems. The Respiratory System Let s talk about how we actually breathe and give this powerful and complex system some gratitude while we re at it. If we start at the beginning, where the oxygenated air enters through the nose and mouth, we follow this life-giving stuff down the back of your throat into your trachea. From there the trachea divides into air passages called bronchial tubes and then into smaller passages called bronchioles. The bronchioles end as alveoli, over 300 million tiny balloon-like sacs surrounded by tiny blood vessels called capillaries. Oxygen from our breath makes it s way through the walls of the alveoli into the blood carried by the capillaries. From there, your newly inhaled oxygen is carried by the blood to the heart to be pumped to all of the other tissues. As carbon dioxide is produced by the cells, it is absorbed back into the blood to be returned to the lungs and exhaled. Inhalation and exhalation are aided by our favourite muscle, the diaphragm. On inhalation, it contracts downward, creating a vacuum for fresh air to come into the lungs. As we exhale the opposite occurs, with the diaphragm pushing upwards and squeezing the air out of the lungs. This system is responsible for acting as one of the first lines of defence against foreign particles, bacteria and viruses, which is why there are tiny hairs called cilia sweeping each passage as well as mucus-lined tubes, keeping these passages moist.!8
Playtime: The Animal Guide to Having a Ball! Cruising around BC s beautiful interior with my whippet B, I found myself faced with a personal challenge. To truly enjoy myself! It is a strange phenomenon that as humans, there is a tendency to lose our sense of play and wonder and get so serious that life loses its lustre. Not only does it feel fantastic to express ourselves in playful ways, but it is healthy for us as well. We tend to stop stressing out about the small stuff, perhaps even having a giggle when things don t quite go our way. Life just becomes a more positive and enjoyable place to be. Can you imagine a golden retriever that didn t want to play, or a greyhound that didn t love to run? So why do we take it so lightly when we refuse to crack a smile during the funniest joke or dance to our favourite song? I suppose the question is What are we so scared of? Personal control has its benefits I m sure, but it can t be healthy to constantly chain ourselves to the expectations and judgments of ourselves and those around us. If you look at it from the eyes of any animal in your life, it really doesn t matter at all what anyone else thinks. It is through expressing yourself authentically in play and otherwise that gains true respect and trust. Animals don t fake it. They are not forever trying to be something they are not. In fact, this type of behaviour is detrimental to their position and safety in their pack or herd. Take a horse for example. Being a prey animal, horses are incredibly tuned in to the thoughts of their herd and of the animals around them. And yes, this most definitely includes you. If a predator walks by, horses are immediately aware, not only of his body language, but if his internal thoughts match this outward appearance. This is what we call congruency. If this predator (or you) feels incongruent (outward appearance says I m not hungry, inward thoughts say Those horses look tasty ), it is a definite signal to move on quickly. In humans, we often appear like we re having fun on the outside, but inside we re a turbulent mess of emotions and stress. Believe me, if this is the case for you, your horse is going to be stressed out in your presence. Dogs will become stressed and imbalanced trying to make your inside match your out. Cats will spend their lifetime trying to transmute all that pent up energy. If you want to know how you are feeling on the inside, look no further than these furry mirrors. So how does the typical human go about having fun? Well, there are often substances involved to loosen the chains a bit! The thing is, every one of us has an inner child in us who would love to escape and have a little fun. No illicit substances required. There is a part of all of us which absolutely needs to play and to express freely to be fully balanced. Animals rarely lose this part, although when they do, it is a great adventure to retrieve it. My horse was quite serious when I first got her (Gee, I wonder who she was reflecting?) and it has been a great journey to find her play drive. Always our intention together is to have as much fun as possible. Yee haw! Remember that fun doesn t look the same for everyone. Really, it doesn t matter what fun looks like for you as long as you re having it. Quit putting yourself in other people s fun boxes and start figuring out what you really enjoy, and how to be totally authentic and congruent while you re doing it. Challenge yourself to change your perspective and enjoy the magic in every moment. Your animals are waiting patiently for you to burst out of your serious shell and have some fun with them!!9
Great Herbs for Emotional Balance I am loving this adventure into herbs for many reasons, but one big one is that by developing our sense of feel through our connection to our emotions, we can start to understand plants for all the magic that they are. Each of these plants can bring more well-being on the physical to both horses and people, but what is becoming more and more clear is the potent affect of this medicine on both the emotional and energetic aspects. As we begin to think of plants as allies and helpers, we start our journey into truly understanding the extent of their medicine. The herbs we will be exploring in this module are particularly powerful helpers on the emotional levels, facilitating balance of the respiratory and endocrine systems, but also shifting our emotional state into more harmony. Mullein This fuzzy leafy herb is a healer for the lungs and respiratory tract. It contains mucilage which promotes the health of the mucus membranes - the leaves are used as a very gentle, yet powerful anti-inflammatory and soother. Kelp Native to our BC waters, bull kelp is a healer for the thyroid gland, containing essential vitamins and minerals, most notably iodine, which acts beneficially on the thyroid and subsequently, energy levels and metabolism. Maca Also known as peruvian ginseng, Maca is a root grown in the mountains of Peru. This potent plant is rich in vitamins and minerals and is also an adaptogen, helping the body to regulate levels of hormones, mood, libido, energy levels and much more. It has been used in horses to aid performance and strength. To help hormonal mares: Thyme - anti-inflammatory and cleansing, good for bloating and discomfort Red Raspberry Leaf - a uterine tonic, great for pregnancy, strengthens the uterus and pelvic region and calms the nervous system!10
Research/Pondering Questions for Module 3 How does the endocrine system function? What are some of it s most important roles in the body? What are 2-3 ways the endocrine system can show imbalance? What are 2-3 natural ways we can support this system? What role(s) does the breath play in emotion? How can the breath help us with our emotions and with feeling more in harmony? How can our breath help our horses? What are two herbs that help with balancing moods? Why is feeling my feelings more healthy then not feeling my feelings? What is congruency and why do horses like it so much?!11