IHT Blog

How stress affects the body

25/10/2015

A TED video you may find of interest on how stress affects the body (click the link below to view in a new window).
- TED: How stress affects the body

Jen B

31/12/2015 07:45:21 pm

Great little clip – the influence of stress is visible to us all! How we respond is certainly something that drew me to Tai Chi in the first place, it was a sanctuary away from stress. Now it continues to challenge me as I gently let go – layer by layer. Good to realize how much good we are doing to our internal systems by softening, and gradually releasing built up tension. Amazing the way the body responds. The physical bit is easier than the mental bit.
When you realize how many systems are affected by chronic stress it’s no wonder that habits developed over decades take time to redirect/dissolve/change.
Glad we have a Tai Chi pathway through this one!
- Jen

Felicity

31/12/2015 07:46:04 pm

Well said Jen, very similar to what I thought after viewing the clip!

I personally feel that the better we understand the biomechanics of the body- how our brains function and the effect this has on the body, the better our Tai Chi practice can become. Knowledge and ‘doing’ are a reciprocal process. The better our understanding of how we function the better we become at reflecting inwardly as we practice and really feeling and noticing the alignments and structures within. It helps us apply the principles in a holistic way, not just physically, but mentally and in our everyday interpersonal interactions.

The clip reminded me of a book I read ‘The Art of Happiness,’ a series of conversations and discussions between the Dalai Lama and psychiatrist Howard Cutler and discussed the challenge of modern society due to the conflict between our ‘modern’ and ‘primitive’ parts of the brain. As with the TED clip, the solutions presented all come back to having a method to manage stress and to cultivate a positive attitude on the world. Not just an outlook, but a real way of being that allows you to be centred and respond calmly in any situation.

I find that the more I practice the better I become at keeping calm in the face of stress. I also find myself making better decisions and not taking things personally, rather seeing things within their context.

As you said Jen, I’m glad we have Tai Chi to help us find our way on the path!

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