Widening the map of hypo-states: a methodology to modify muscular hypo-response and support regulation of autonomic nervous system arousal

Abstract

ABSTRACTThe human muscle system participates in psychological defences related to stress and trauma. Methodologies that work with muscles in a hyperresponsive state using relaxation and releasing held back impulses and emotions have been described. What is often missing, and potently more challenging, is hypo response – giving up, taking energy out of the muscle system. Experiences and impulses involved in being stressed or threatened go unnoticed, unfelt, resulting in the inability to access psychomotor skills necessary for resilience. The therapeutic problem becomes, how do we access what we no longer feel? This article will present two case studies to demonstrate a method of Hypo-Response Muscular Dosing. The method works with small slow muscle activation, allowing the psycho-physical system to habituate to more vitality and with that regain access to impulses and emotions, and support regulation of both hyper- and hypo-arousal in the autonomic nervous system.