London loveliness – a recap & holistic thoughts
- hannagillving
- Sep 7
- 5 min read
Updated: Sep 8
Music, in various shapes, genres and forms, has always been close to my heart. And since about a year or so, I have rediscovered my love for it. It is no wonder; just as us humans (or ancestral beings, as I prefer to say) are hard-wired for connection, we are hard-wired for music, too.
For the most part of human history, it has been a natural thing to engage in singing, playing, dancing and creating sounds together. It is in fact an activity and part of the human experience so normal to us that it can be compared with natural instincts such as eating, sleeping, breathing, and connecting with each other. In other words, we need it.
This Summer, I have been working for the most part and so when early Autumn approached, it was time for a bit of rejuvenating time off. And what better way to start this season, than to treat myself with a little London visit (after all, the UK is one of my favourite places in the world).
Funnily enough (in regard to being the music lover that I am) I had for some reason not been to a concert in years. So when the opportunity suddenly appeared, to experience the heart-opening tunes of Damon Albarn's Gorillaz, I seized it; it was high time to go. The show was, of course, lovely. Both the music, and the joy and energy on stage being shared with the world. Namasté.
Book tip for curious minds
Staying true to my curious nature, and my love for learning new things, gaining a greater understanding for all things ancestral, and connecting dots, I could not resist reading this book in relation to my journey.
The life elixirs breathwork & yoga
Apart from music and the brain, two other holistic health-related things were much on my mind during the trip, breathwork and yoga.
As most who know me, or have been to my lectures, know, I started my health journey many, many years ago when leaving a corporate finance career based in Stockholm, along with moving on from a broken relationship. I was in need of a rebirth, and to rebuild myself I initially turned to nature, returned to my body, and immersed in the practice of Ashtanga yoga. Because the way forward always goes through the body, in one way or another.
Within yoga, there is a saying that goes "I bend so I don't break". This is also applicable on breathwork, and in particular conscious heavy breathing; I bend with the breath so I don't break. One of my favourite genres within the vast field of breathing practices, both to guide as a teacher and when lying down to consciously breathe myself, is the ancient Tummo technique.
The rewarding practice of ancient Tummo breathwork
Simply explained, Tummo is about alternating active inhales, passive exhales and breath holds. I love it because of the many sensations which may arise, and the positive ripple effects on one's life. Tummo does not only have the power to induce emotional, freeing, soothing, uplifting, grounding, buzzing and sometimes cathartic sensations to be experienced and felt by the mind, body, spirit and heart. But it also comes with greatly health optimising, nervous system-balancing and immune system- as well as mind- strengthening effects. Among other lovely aspects.
Food, breath & healthy red blood cells
Just as ancestral food has anti-inflammatory impact, can help improve our oxygen uptake on a cellular level, and improve blood cell health, so does breathwork. It balances the gas exchange, helps utilise the important CO2 which is needed for proper oxygenation (yes, having high levels of CO2 in your blood stream is a good thing), and also promotes mental and physical resilience, both in the now as well as proactively.
It helps decrease stress levels. It also increases the blood flow to the brain, and perhaps most importantly, the prefrontal cortex, which is the brain area responsible for decision making, or the "orchestration of thoughts and actions". Through breathwork, you can press the "reset button" to increase your cognitive focus, clearheadedness, and creativity.
Another perk, is that it's a practice especially beneficial for anyone who wants sobriety in life; either literal sobriety from whichever drug, process behaviour, or self-destructive outlet a human being may be addicted to, or emotional sobriety, and regardless of having an addictive brain biochemistry or being a normie. And both yoga and breathwork are healthy, addictive pleasures offering positive consequences only, if one is willing and open to receive, and to do the work of exploring it.
Gaining muscle is a game changer for greater lung capacity
Both yoga and breathwork are a part of who I am, as is building muscle – yet another ancestral practice. I shall dive deeper into the topic of why proper muscle tissue is a necessity for health and longevity in a future blog post, but in this one I want to mention that...
well-trained muscles will increase the ability to utilise oxygen in the muscles, which leads to greater oxygenation of mitochondria (our powerhouses located in each and every cell) and less workload for the lungs.
physical exercise is of extra importance for individuals with addictive brains, as we are born with fewer dopamine receptors (more on this topic is found in my book KETO-licious).
...and everything is connected, holistically. One thing will impact another, and us humans indeed need several components to feel, think, function, live and do well. To live and to be able to thrive. Wholeness. What we eat, as well as in what ways we take care of our bodies, will impact us either positively or negatively, from inside and out.
The power of holistic habits
Often, the magic or the key, is found in the daily habits. The small yet significant choices, each day. They are the ones to build on, brick by brick, for creating massive, and sustainable, long-term, results.
To do so, it is sometimes needed to Just Do. Our brains tend to suggest we should choose comfort over discomfort (yes, the human brain's preset is LAZY) and therefore, it is of benefit to continuously train the brain to go against those thoughts, to do the opposite. The morning after the lovely concert experience in London, I had slept a wee five hours, and as tempting as it was to stay in bed, my mind was awake and my body was craving a lovely gym session. So off I went to lift some heavy weights. And of course, I did not regret it.
Nor was I sorry for starting the day early with delicious coffee, and the simple gloriousness of a morning walk in one of my favourite London areas; Autumn had arrived, and few things can awaken all of one's senses. The sounds, the visions, the scents, the air, and colours... In these simple things, I feel connectedness and everyday magic. Or as I say in Swedish: vardagsmagi.
Our bodies carry wisdom, and to take care of our vessels is the gateway to homeostasis. For the mind, soul, heart and individual hormonal environments and brain biochemistries. Thus, it is wise to tune in and listen, and to act accordingly.
With love,
Hanna
#ancestralbeings #holistichealth #ketolicious #wayoflife #liveinspired #namaste #gratitude #functionalmedicine #themedicineoftheWhy #nourishment #foodismedicine #foodforthought
P.S: If you want to learn more or feel you would be interested in personal training, support and hands-on guidance on how to improve your health by increasing your red blood cell count through food, breath and movement, send me an inquiry and I will get back to you. D.S.
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