Review and take notes on Chapters 2-6 of your Yoga Anatomy Textbook

Prepare and record a visual meditation on the Muscles and Bones

Answer the following:

What are the sections of the spine?

What are the two aspects or “sides of the ANS (autonomic nervous system?

The Nervous System Experiment!

• Now, go do something really intense, get stuck in traffic, go to the grocery store at rush hour, 10 jumping jacks and spin around in a circle then do 10 pushups and get up right away to do your dishes, run around the block, climb a tree and pretend someone is chasing you, bang some pots together, play the drums sing really loud and scream or do all of the above. Be safe!

• After experiencing some intense activities of choice, without taking a pause immediately begin writing down what is on your mind, and decide which branch of your Nervous System is most active now.

• Then, do something incredibly calming and relaxing, take a bubble bath, drink a cup of tea while reading a lovely book of poetry, breathe deeply and slowly in your favourite yin posture with a cup of tea and a lovely book, listen to some peaceful music, go for a relaxation treatment of some kind, meditate and walk slowly and mindfully in the forest, lay down in savasana, then take a nap, eat something nourishing while meditating then sit and receive the state of rest and digest while you do just that, do all of the above slowly and mindfully.

• After taking some more time to rest and ponder the way you are feeling while breathing deeply, write down some ideas about how your chosen activities made you feel and which branch of your nervous system is most active now.

• Answer the questions above and journal about your experience of your chosen activities to connect to the different branches of your Autonomic Nervous System.

Write one full page of your understanding of your nervous system, which side of you is more active, fight and/or flight or rest and digest? Are you quick to react? Do you feel peaceful in all situations? Do you drive with white knuckles and clenched teeth? Do you lean back and breath while you wait in traffic? Do certain types of people irritate you? Are you accepting of all different kinds with ease? Is your nervous system shocked? Have you given yourself enough care and release to allow the body to relax and let go of what is no longer serving? Ask yourself; am I holding onto trauma and drama? Have I allowed myself to reach overdrive? Am I living in a state of adrenaline and anxiety? Am I ready to feel at ease and peaceful?

Use the above questions as guidelines and ideas offering your own perceptions of the state of your Autonomic Nervous System and your ability to flow between the dualities.