Lesson Five - Hydrate Your Way into Healing

In the last lesson you learned about the science of yoga and how it is designed to specifically balance the mind, body and soul. The poses learned were designed for the releasing of anxiety from the body. In this lesson we are going to continue on our journey connecting our inner and outer world by releasing toxins from the body by the use of water.

Hydrate to Remove Toxins

You may be wondering what water has to do with anxiety, and that of overcoming it. Well our focus is on holistic approaches to outclass anxiety, here the topic is “Hydrate your way into Healing”. Oftentimes when experiencing anxiety, being out of balance with the self, not in the present moment, one forgets to nourish the body. Not providing the brain and body the proper nourishment leads to an out of balance homeostasis system. H20 provides oxygen, minerals and nutrients to the body. It is used to metabolise fuel, and regulate body temperature as well as digest food. It enables our bodies to carry out all of its natural functions throughout the day including clear mindedness and focus. When we take in enough water it is continuous, although we lose it by way of urine, sweat, tears, blood and the air we breathe. Our bodies are a dynamic homeostasis system that just like any other healthy operating system must be maintained and one of the best ways to maintain our body is by drinking water. Water also eliminates any unwanted toxins from the body so they are not stored and cause harm.

Activity - Present moment, intentional living requires paying attention. The activity here is to pay attention to the amount of water you are getting on a regular basis. Things to consider when considering your daily intake of water. Depending on where you live, if the biome is dry, hot and dessert-like you will need more water than if you live in an ocean biome closer to the sea where there is more moisture in the air. Another consideration is your intake of salt, sugar, caffeine, alcohol and any other types of products that cause dehydration.

The body has 12 systems that all function simultaneously; they are the intemengumatory, skeletal, muscular, urinary, nervous, endocrine, cardiovascular, respiratory, lymphatic, respiratory reproductive, and digestive.

*Intemengumatory System is the hair, nails and skin responsible for regulating body temperature, moisture in the body and keeping out germs.

*Skeletal System is the structural frame, the skeleton, that protects organs and allows for locomotion of the body; bone marrow is part of the immune system.

*Muscular System is your muscles that are responsible for moving you around voluntarily and involuntarily and also includes the myocardium, the heart muscle.

*Urinary System includes the kidneys, renal pelvis, ureteres, bladder and urethra, they keep acid base levels steady, regulate the amount of blood, by electrolytes, and other solutions.

*Nervous System includes the brain, spinal cord, peripheral, and collects, processes, and transmits information.

*Endocrine System is the hormonal system which includes the pancreas, pituitary gland and the thyroid that regulates the internal environment, which is the chemical reactions in our bodies.

*Cardiovascular System also known as the circulatory system includes the heart, blood vessels, which provide oxygen, and nutrients to the rest of the body. The system also collects waste products for removal by the body by other systems.

*Respiratory System includes the nose, pharynx, larynx, trachea, bronchi, bronchioles, diaphragm, and lungs, for inhaling, and exhaling air to exchange gases between the blood and lungs. Carbon Dioxide produced during metabolism (offload) and oxygen onloads to the red blood cells.

*Lymphatic System is the second circulatory system including the spleen to fight invaders off to help return tissue fluid to blood vessels.

*Reproductive System creates gametes known as sex cells testies for males and ovaries for females.

*Digestive System includes the mouth, teeth, tongue, saliva glands, pharynx, esophagus, liver, stomach, gallbladder, pancreas, large intestines, small intestines, appendix, rectum and anus. This system converts food to smaller molecules for energy.

*Immune System includes the bone marrow, adenoid, tonsils, lymph nodes, thymus, spleen, and lymph vessels.

Journaling is a great way to connect with yourself and see how you are doing with nurturing your body as a whole. Pose questions to yourself and write the response. For example, do I get enough water? Do I notice when I am anxious, whether or not I had enough water for the day to counter anything else that I may have eaten or drank? Is there an area that could use your attention to allow you to become present in the moment to help alleviate anxiety.

The purpose of this brief overview of all of the systems in the body is a way to remind yourself just how dynamic you are. It also can provide a way to visualize what is happening in the body at any given time and know what and where operations are happening. This is a way to be present with the body, to love your organs and all the intricate details of the body. Understanding how important it is to hydrate the body and nourish the body. As the quote at the start states, “Water is the driving force of all nature” - Leonardo Da Vinci

Closure

In this lesson we learned the value of water for releasing the toxins from the body to create balance within the body. This is another empowering holistic approach to outclassing anxiety. In order for it to work you have to be present with yourself, and understand your body and all of its intricate parts and allow yourself to remain connected to all of who you are, including your inner and outer world. There is no exclusivity in the world; everything is inclusive. Leading us into our final lesson on mantras, positive self-talk.