BAY AREA VOCAL IMPROVISATION & COMMUNITY MUSIC

Peek-A-Boo!

5/16/2020

Peek-a-boo!

I have been in hide out land for a bit, but I am here and thinking of you!

In this time where we need to gather in-formation in order to make choices about health, how to navigate in the world, work decisions, etc...its easy to go down the rabbit hole of way too much information that can also elicit fear responses within us.

For many, the Sympathetic Nervous System is in the driver’s seat, eliciting a cascade of hormonal and chemical changes in our bodies. If fear is immediate or high, our innate fight/flight (sometimes known as hyper arousal) response is there to direct us. It’s helpful is short bursts for certain situations right?

One response that we don’t hear about much is the freeze response. It’s a brilliant strategy for any living being to just S T O P. We can then assess if the best choice is to fight, take flight, communicate or do nothing. Many regular physical functions are also affected because it is still a fear response.

Then enter the Parasympathetic Nervous System, otherwise known as “rest and digest”, which allows for a reset to regular functioning, regulating breath and heart rate.

Sometimes, when we are exposed to fear, we can hang out there longer than is necessary, due to previous experiences that may have been traumatizing or upsetting – our guard stays up and the cascade of chemicals continues on.

As it turns out, fear actually affects our immune response. There's some interesting research on that HERE

These, of course, are only a small fraction of the possible responses that we could have emotionally. I love Jennifer Asdorian's Emotion Chart: HERE, which helps one to track what is up! That said, now, more than ever, it’s a great idea to work with practices that help us come back to equanimity.

->I personally moved a bit from NO (a.k.a. _Not Online_) to reconnecting with YES! (a.k.a. _Yummy Energy Source_). Going very S L O W and allowing myself to follow that which feels good in order to invite inspiration. Most days, that is nature, singing, good food, taking nature photos, and swaddling myself in my hammock. The power of containment for overwhelm is real people!

Getting to what feels good is great! and feeling good is not the purpose of my life. Its lovely, but limited in its scope in terms of what brings meaning and joy for me. Service is the word that has come forth recently for me to ponder.

I would love to share some of my prevention and active practices for staying/getting healthy, both emotionally and physically during COVID, and to make a little sound with you. I want to know how you are doing!

Let's gather online on: Monday May 18, 202
7:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.

Sliding Scale from $40 - $15, and no one turned away.

You can register for this event by replying to me here
and you will receive a Zoom Link to attend.

You can pay through Paypal, or send me a payment through Venmo at handle: @Renee-Benmeleh

Until we see each other again, HERE is a little
song for you.

AND!!!

I thank all the health workers immensely for the incredible work they have been doing to help us.

Many blessings be on them forever!

May the voice be with you,

Renée

What Shall We Do Without Us?