Disconnection to the natural world has increased as humanity has moved into increasingly artificial environments. Modern societal values disconnect us from the ebb and flow of the seasons, the soothing sensations of being in nature. Scarily, it also disconnects us from our own bodies because of an unbalanced focus on the intellectual mind, at the expense of the emotional, the instinctive and the somatic. We are living lives alienated from 90% of who and what we are when we exist this way.
I am sure you know someone who practices meditation, yoga or one of the many forms of martial arts who regularly seem present and centred. For some people the experiences of archery, golf, or firearm sports – where they need to be fully grounded, in the body, through breath awareness – also possess this calm, connected presence. Why is this? Put simply, it is because they are body and breath aware, and they listen to the feelings and sensations in their body not just their intellectual mind.
Surprisingly 90% of communication between the body and brain is afferent (coming from the body to the brain NOT the brain to the body!). This means if we want to change a neurological pattern (outdated belief, habits or behaviours that no longer serve a purpose in our life) we must change the internal experience of the body to shift the patterns in the brain. People who seem calm, connected, grounded inhabit their bodies. They are more adept at monitoring their somatic responses to their external and internal environment and, importantly, take appropriate action to maintain their equilibrium. Our bodies, and indeed quality of life, is optimized when we are in a state of equilibrium. So, cultivating sensitivity to listen and respond to our somatic sensations enables us to do what is required to return equilibrium. This equates to a calmer, happier way of interacting with and experiencing life.
Neurologist Rober Scaer MD, in his book The Trauma Spectrum, states “…sensory input from the body shapes and changes the structure and function of the brain, which concurrently shapes and alters the body in all of its parts …”
Research shared by the USA National Center for Biotechnology Information identifies that spending time with horses has a myriad of documented benefits including mindfulness and self-awareness. Research into the benefits of, and the reasons why, working with horses improves human health, wellbeing and healing/recovery continues to demonstrate that the horse-human interaction works. Most studies equally identify the need for further research to fully clarify why it works. Because we have progressively moved further away from the natural world our lack of clarity is not surprising. Understanding the science of a modality is important to ensure its validity however there is already a sufficient body of evidence to support its efficacy. If you would like to experience how being in the presence of horses can improve your mindfulness, somatic awareness and assist your wellbeing please reach out to Elizabeth who is a trained CEEL and AEFL practitioner.