NiamhPadma

Wtf?

allostasis is the process by which the body achieves stability through change. It’s how we anticipate, adapt and adjust to life’s constantly shifting demands.

because God only knows we need that anchor after the cascade of change life loves throwing our way.

the root of allostasis comes from Ancient Greek.

allo means “other” or “variable.”

stasis means “standing.”

together, the idea can be translated to stability through change. And that’s where I think the magic lies.

homeostasis and allostasis are like two dancing partners.

allostasis is how the body makes change possible when life refuses to stay still.

so while homeostasis is about maintaining balance, allostasis is about achieving that balance through flexible adjustments.

this is why brief, manageable challenges can be so powerful.

I wrote a whole piece on this over on substack. go have a gander & let me know your thoughts. 🤍

Need I say more?

Ok I’m going to say a bit more.

I have my own practice of Breathwork not because of how alive it makes my body feel after.

Not because of how spacious it makes my mind feel during.

Not because of the excited nerves that tickle my belly before.

But because it gives me time.

Conscious connected breathwork gives me a wide open window to process the hell out of what’s occurring right now in my life.

It picks me up, turns me upside down, makes me see the challenges, twists and turns in my life from a new perspective, and reminds me of how powerful I am.

In emotionally challenging times, Breathwork is like wiping the fog from a car window and finally seeing clearly again.

Or whipping your hair back in a body of water in the middle of Portugal and rubbing the water from your *no longer tired* eyes.

What’s happening physiologically?

A growing flexibility between your sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous system.

So your body starts to trust that it can meet whatever’s coming, and build a nervous system steady enough to hold your life as it actually is. With all of the chaos & noise.

Practice with me 👇🏼
Weekly Wheelhouse Lisboa
Online first Wednesday of every month
On retreat September 13-17 in Porto

Comment 🫁 and I’ll send you the link to join online or in-person

With love x

Swipe for five ways I created a safe Conscious Connected Breathwork session fit for a festival. Written for facilitators and teachers this festival season.

Aside from giving this session, watching Antony Szmierek perform Saturday night (in the last slides) was the highlight of my weekend. He got down in the crowd, danced with us, sang happy birthday to a fan, & smoked someone’s cigarette. 😅

It made me think about how connection and feeling seen completely elevates an experience, whether you’re watching your favourite artist or sitting in a workshop circle.

If you have recently taken part in a workshop at a festival, what stuck with you?

Thank you Westival Music and Arts for having me back again. 🪩

✨ the somatics of decision making ✨

Some thoughts on the busyness of summer, and how I’m choosing to spend my time.

Especially when those decisions come down to how rested, healthy, strong and loved I feel.

Swipe to the end for some wisdom from my Grandma (definitely not an ancient proverb) 🤍

I’ve written a free mindful nutrition ebook which deeper into the intelligence of the gut and the wisdom of the body.

Head to the link in my bio to download it.