Memory, the Nervous System, and the Elements Within Us.
I have always believed that our bodies are not just physical forms; they are living archives. Every experience we go through — every joy, every heartbreak, every silence we swallowed finds a place in the body. Sometimes it feels like the mind has forgotten, but the body has not.
When a client lies down for an Emotional Bodywork session, I often feel this truth immediately. The nervous system, our inner messenger, holds the imprints of stress, trauma, or even unspoken dreams. The body speaks through tight shoulders, shallow breathing, stiff jaws, or restless legs. What looks like “random pain” often carries the story of years gone by.
Science tells us that the nervous system is divided into two main parts: the sympathetic, which prepares us to act (fight, flight, or freeze), and the parasympathetic, which restores us (rest, digest, and heal). But what I’ve discovered through thousands of hours of work is that these systems are not just mechanical switches. They are deeply connected to our emotions, our stories, and even our elemental energies.
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- Fire often rises in the chest and shoulders. When suppressed, it may manifest as shallow breathing, tightness, or even posture disorders. Fire asks us to express, not by yelling, but by allowing ourselves to share desires, speak truth, and bring dreams alive.
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- Water flows through our hips and belly. When blocked, it can create digestive issues, menstrual discomfort, or emotional numbness. Water invites surrender, fluidity, and trust.
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- Air dances with our lungs and thoughts. When out of balance, it may create anxiety, overthinking, or breathlessness. Balanced air is creativity, inspiration, and clarity.
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- Earth grounds us in our bones, muscles, and legs. When neglected, it can manifest as exhaustion, instability, or even fear of moving forward. Earth calls us to root, to stand firm, to remember we belong.
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- Wood (as understood in Chinese medicine) connects us to flexibility and growth. When rigid, we feel stuck in old patterns; when nurtured, wood energy gives us resilience, adaptability, and a sense of direction.
When these elements are out of harmony, our nervous system begins to overwork. It stays in defence mode, making us tired, anxious, or detached. But when we bring awareness back into the body through touch, breath, movement, or even simple presence, the body begins to release. The nervous system learns it is safe again, and the memories locked in tissues slowly loosen their grip.
This is why I say: the body is wiser than the mind. It remembers what the mind cannot hold. And when we honour that memory with compassion, we step into true healing.
In my sessions and workshops, I don’t try to “fix” anyone. I hold a space where the body and the elements inside can speak. Sometimes it’s tears, sometimes it’s laughter, sometimes it’s silence. But always, it’s the truth.
Because in the end, our healing is not about forgetting the past. It’s about integrating it, listening to the wisdom it left behind, and allowing ourselves to move forward lighter, freer, and more whole.
