Physical Antidotes for Different Shades of the Blues

Have you found emotional change difficult? If you’re like many of us, your answer is "Yes!" When change is difficult, it usually means a step is missing; the missing step can be found by working with the body. Every thought, feeling and action we’ve ever had or done puts a chain reaction of neural pathways into play. Habits — repeating thoughts, feelings and actions — have very strong and well-developed neural pathways, for better or worse. That’s great and works in our favor when a strong pathway represents something like confidence, courage, patience or understanding.But when a strong pathway represents unnecessary anger, or not speaking up for yourself, it becomes an ineffective pattern that may not bring desired results. Because of repeated use, it has become over-developed, and very literally has become a physiological and emotional pattern that is difficult to change.

Change is also difficult because of the lack of having a neural pathway for an alternative response. If we compare the disturbing habit to the venom of a poisonous snake bite, we can see how an antidote can be used. A small amount of snake venom is used as an antidote to the snake bite. If it was the right venom, the effect of the poison is reversed, or "antidoted," and the person will not die.In a similar way, we take the emotional energy of the disturbing habit (the venom from the snake bite) and translate it into physical energy. Listening to the body in this way, we’re creating, training and strengthening new neural pathways. This process guides us to finding what becomes a physical antidote to that old habit.

The antidote is a combination of a mantra (Sanskrit for a word or phrase with the intention of bringing on a particular inner state) and a mudra (Sanskrit for a gesture or body position with the intention of bringing on a particular inner state). Using the antidote involves saying the mantra and doing the mudra.

For example, a shy person who is reluctant to take a stand and speak up, might say (silently like a mantra) "I have a voice, I hold my ground," while standing in a wide stance with feet firmly planted. Doing the mudra and mantra (M&M) energizes a new neural pathway, creates an inner state which is solid and confident, and makes it easier to respond differently. The shy person could then break the old cycle, speak up, and be heard. Voila!, suddenly change is not so difficult.

Doing this work (in person or on the phone), whether as an individual, couple, family, small teams or large group, you can custom-design your own M&Ms to help facilitate change in your life.