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When we are faced with stressful situations, our bodies release hormones to increase heart rate, breathing rate, blood pressure, metabolic rate and blood flow to muscles, gearing our bodies either to do battle with an opponent or to flee. This fight or flight response is useful when dealing with real threats. However, in modern times, stress often inappropriately triggers the fight or flight response when we are imagining or remembering threats that are not real in the present moment. The relaxation response is an inducible physiological state of quietude - a state that can counter the fight or flight response, healing and rejuvenating our bodies. There are many ways to elicit the relaxation response. In this program, we will focus on the original technique developed by Herbert Benson in the 1970’s. Unlike the other workshops, this program can be effectively taught and practiced in one hour.
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