Moshe Feldenkrais writes:

" The nervous system has a fundamental characteristic:

We cannot carry out an action and its opposite at the same time."

This statement parallels one of the mindfulness principles: this principle states that undesirable habits can be replaced by giving one's full (and of course mindful) attention to a more desirable replacement. This way, instead of struggling with resistance and relying on will power (which is good today, but might not be so awesome tomorrow), you simply attention-starve undesirable behavior till it fizzles out on its very own. 

Let's start with these three concepts:

~ every mood, thought and experience is carried out by a very distinct set of neurochemicals (neurotransmitters, hormones, enzymes, and co-factors)

~ experience of persistent pain has its own set own set of specific neurochemicals  - this is why neurotransmitter modulating prescriptions (such as antidepressants, for example) are often prescribed to those of us with persistent pain

~ persistent pain creates certain changes in the brain and the entire nervous system, causing the brain to become more vigilant and often highly sensitized to internal and external experiences, and in particular to areas of strong sensations or discomfort.

Negativity bias is an evolutionary quality of our brain that has helped us to survive in the past. It basically means that our brain has evolved and wired to expect the worst. Rick Hanson, the author of Hardwiring Happiness: The New Brain Science of Contentment, Calm, and Confidence, writes:

“In general, the default setting of the brain is to overestimate threats, underestimate opportunities, and underestimate resources both for coping with threats and for fulfilling opportunities. Then we update these beliefs with information that confirms them, while ignoring or rejecting information that doesn’t.”

You can imagine now how experience of persistent pain coupled with the negativity bias can short circuit the entire nervous system, keeping it in the alarm / alert state - whether the circumstances are calling for such measures or not.

Furthermore, climbing out of this vicious circle often seems utterly impossible.

This is precisely why focusing on pain management with strictly physical measures like strengthening the surrounding musculature, for example, or stretching the tight areas, will have a very limited effect. One has to address the root of the issue - the mis-firing nervous system - to manage the pain successfully.

For me personally, now several years after most of the major pain occurrences have dissipated, a minor body tweak can still be a pretty hefty emotional trigger. This trigger, left unchecked and to its own devices, can send me spiraling out of control - both physically and emotionally.

Physiologically, the state of gratitude is quite unique and EXACTLY OPPOSITE of highly alert and vigilant state so common for persistent pain affected folk. Our biochemistry changes whenever we experience gratitude:

~ it is impossible to be anxious and grateful at the same time;

~ biochemicals that are released in our body whenever we feel grateful can not only turn the persistent pain down, but even prevent heart attacks.

This is why we finish each class with "the attitude of gratitude." Experience of persistent pain tends to zoom our attention onto our areas of concern - as I say in class "pain is attention greedy." It is as though we are looking at under-performing parts of ourselves through a microscope, judging every single nudge, tweak and sensation.

Solution to chronic pain problem - and to many other life's misgivings - lies in zooming out, finding a wider lens and a bigger field to play. This is precisely what experience of gratitude delivers.

Intentionally practicing gratitude is a whole different beast all together: it is, basically, flexing the gratitude muscle on a schedule, like a workout, finding something to be grateful for each day, every day, and letting the feelings of gratitude flow through you.

The magic of changing biochemistry lies precisely in those feelings.

Love, hugs and gratitude,

P. S. Saturdays PAIN CARE YOGA session starts this week on April 22nd. Come get grateful with us!