35: Fascia & the Autonomic Nervous System

Today hosts Tiffany and Katja continue the discussion on fascia and more specifically how our fascia is connected to the autonomic nervous system. This relationship reminds us that movement has a profound effect on our minds and emotions and that the inverse is also true. In this discussion, Tiffany and Katja explain different pathways how the fascial system is related to the autonomic nervous system. They share more reasons to incorporate some myofascial release work into our yoga practice and elaborate why working with the abdomen can have a powerful effect on the whole autonomic nervous system. They also discuss how stress may relate to low back pain and how the fascia may be influenced by major depressive disorder.

Listen in to learn about the relationship between fascia and the autonomic nervous system, why myofascial release is so valuable, and ways to engage your autonomic nervous system through yoga.

“The thoracolumbar fascia is a really potent source that we can tap into which could explain a lot of generalized non-specific, more chronic lower back pain.” – Tiffany Cruikshank

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“If you work on or with your fascia you are going to influence that autonomic nervous system.” – Katja Bartsch

Show Notes:

• What is the autonomic nervous system [1:46]
• How is fascia connected to the autonomic nervous system (ANS) [3:32]
• The importance of fascia as sensory organ [7:47]
• How Ruffini endings relate to the ANS [9:08]
• Sense of relaxation after MFR or yoga [11:16]
• Influence of interstitial receptors on the ANS [14:53]
• Does any kind of yoga influence Ruffini and interstitial receptors? [16:01]
• Different types of bodywork and the ANS [18:01]
• Working with the abdomen, advocating for abdominal massage [19:07]
• Interstitial receptors and local fluid dynamics [24:19]
• Vagal innervation [25:52]
• The thoracolumbar fascia: innervation, low back pain, and stress [32:17]
• Inflammation and sympathetic innervation [37:36]
• Areas of the body that affect the sympathetic nervous system [40:20]
• Changes in fascial tone – fascial contractility under stress [41:57]
• The relationship between depression disorders and fascial stiffness [48:59]
• Ph levels, their potential effect on fascial tonicity, and breath work [51:11]

Links Mentioned:

• Watch this episode on YouTube
• Yoga Medicine Podcast Episode 14: Fascia as a Sensory Organ
• Myofascial Release Bundle for the Legs & Feet, Hips, Neck & Shoulders Online Course
• Myofascial Release for the Hips Online Course
• Myofascial Release for the Legs & Feet Online Course
• Myofascial Release for the Neck & Shoulders Online Course
• Myofascial Release Online Training
• Fascia & Autonomic Nervous System Resources Doc
• Yoga Medicine Online Guest Teacher
• Connect with Katja Bartsch:

Facebook | Instagram | Kalamana Yoga

“As a body and nervous system nerd, this connection really filled in a lot of blanks.” – Katja Bartsch