Body Listening

08/03/2026

We gathered to ‘Make Space’ workshop learning about Fascia and nervous system regulation awareness with a combination of movement and rest practices supported and held by props in Restorative yoga. A lovely way to spend the day and unwind from the stresses of everyday life.

The next workshop will be with Anna Oilfield at Heath Farm Holiday Cottages in June.

Other workshops also coming up in September, October and December. If you are curious and would like to find out more. Please email info@bodylistening.co.uk for details.

01/02/2026

Become the observer of your mind, body, heart and soul. Notice everything without judgement. Speak to someone you trust about your burdens and where you sense them in your body. Actively titrate and choose to notice what it feels like when you think of something positive, a word, a memory or a picture of something that brings you joy.

Practice the awareness of being transient and knowing that we are constantly fluctuating from positive and negative, calm and active. By being accepting an non-judgmental about our varied states we can begin to practice that what makes us feel better, have more health and have a better life.

We can’t control the circumstances and world around us but we can choose what we pay attention to and notice how it feels in our body when we make positive choices.

This is not an invitation to ignore what you are feeling but an awareness exercise that you can feel better when you support your body with your words, thoughts and choices.

05/01/2026

Check this out if you are interested in understanding body and brain communication, as well as, nervous system regulation.

The Brain-Immune Connection 🧠 (New Findings)

Recent research has reshaped how the relationship between the nervous and immune systems is understood. Rather than functioning as separate control centers, these systems form an integrated network that jointly regulates responses to stress, circadian rhythms, infection, and tissue injury. This unified perspective challenges older models and highlights coordinated brain body regulation.

Neurons and immune cells communicate using a shared set of signaling molecules, including neurotransmitters, cytokines, and hormones. This common language enables continuous, bidirectional interaction. Neural activity influences immune cell development, positioning, and function, while immune signals feed back to the brain to affect mood, cognition, and behavior.

These interactions can be viewed both spatially and temporally. Spatially, communication occurs within the brain, in peripheral organs, and across long distances in the body. Temporally, neural signals shape immune responses from early development through activation and resolution. Together, this co regulation helps explain links between stress, inflammation, and mental health, and it opens new directions for therapeutic approaches.

Reference: Leunig A., Gianeselli M., Russo S.J., Swirski F.K. Connection and communication between the nervous and immune systems Nature Reviews Immunology (2025)

28/12/2025

I was asked how to manage irritability, specially, in the case of neurodiversity. Here is what I suggested:

It has to do with triggers, boundaries and expanding levels of tolerance before reaching capacity. When we are in the middle of it it is very hard to deal with it but regular daily practice will help you see your triggers and act on it before the flag has gone red! I usually take time out when it is orange!!! There are lots of practices physical, mindful or emotional that you can build on as resources. They will stimulate your own inner chemicals and ability to heal/calm by yourself through homeostasis and regulating your nervous system. On a physical level you can try exercises that contract and release the tension in the body, take time out and outdoors if you can to cool off, breathe out slowly and slow down. On a mental level be the observer of your own mind, watch your thoughts park them on an imaginary shelf and take a break from them orienting on something that brings you calm like a shower or apply some lovely aromatherapy cream on face and body (ie: come back to your body in the present moment) until you have had time to calm down before having to deal with your thoughts and you feel a bit more regulated. On an emotional level, try to be heard (be it with a friend, a forum or a professional that will be there for you to ease the inner pressure and tension of built up emotions). You can try to close your mouth with your teeth over your lips and breathe out through your mouth like a pressure cooker releasing steam…. That is surprisingly powerful! It helps you come back to your body in the here and now. But, these are tools that will help you over time… during the irritability it can be quite hard to get out of this state. I like to sing loudly in the car alone to decompress irritability… I wouldn’t put anybody through my terrible singing 😝 but, if you want more tips you may like to follow my profile. I have started to give away minute practices that you could build on. I am afraid the only medication I take is occasionally an anti inflammatory which can help my body to calm before going to sleep.