A ROOT Awakening: Family Ties: Healing What We Inherit
Do you have something in your home that has been passed down through generations? Maybe it’s some jewelry, fine china, a cozy quilt. One of my favorite items is my grandmother’s diamond pendant.
Now think about some of the physical characteristics that have been passed down to you – hair, eye color, nose shape, body type, etc. Which attributes do you love? Which do you roll your eyes about and sarcastically think “thanks a lot, dad!”
Let’s go down another layer to what you cannot see – the intricate patterns of your DNA. The popularity of direct-to-consumer genetic testing from sites like Ancestry.com, and 23andme have highlighted our desire to dig deeper into our genetic identity as a means of truly knowing ourselves. Just like in yoga, it’s these layers – what lies underneath – that play an important role in what we experience on the surface.
Over the last few years, researchers have become increasingly interested in the study of gene expression modification known as epigenetics. Meaning, scientists are looking at the changes in the way genes are expressed versus alterations in genetic code. There is evidence to suggest that our DNA can be shaped by the psychological experiences of our past. Powerful emotions of any kind from our relatives can be imprinted on our genetic make-up and influence how our bodies react to certain events.
In yoga, we relate this to the word samskara, which can be translated as “the impact of” (an action, mental or physical) or “the impression of” (an action, mental or physical). Samskaras are habits that are so ingrained, that they have literally changed the way our minds respond to certain stimuli. Samskaras are not inherently negative. Some drive our subconscious towards giving back and nurturing, but others can prevent us from positive self-growth and in fact, can fuel anxiety, depression, addiction, and pain. This is especially interesting when recalling traumatic events (ie: the holocaust, war, slavery, etc.) that our parents, grandparents or even great grandparents may have experienced.
In a recent article published by Gizmodo, author Kristin Brown highlights a study done by Mount Sinai Hospital in New York which found evidence of “epigenetic inheritance in mice, rats and even humans. In 2015, a research team at New York’s Mount Sinai hospital looked at how trauma suffered by Holocaust survivors is capable of being passed on to their children. They analyzed the genes of the children of 32 Jewish men and women who had been interned in a Nazi concentration camp during WWII, and found evidence of genetic changes to one gene associated with the regulation of stress hormones in children, that appeared related to epigenetic tags on their parents’ DNA. This is significant, because how such genes are regulated can determine how a person deals with stress.”
Click here for the full report.
Being of Jewish decent, this study hit home. I couldn’t help but wonder how my ancestry influenced the way I handle stress. And if stress is the leading cause of chronic illness, inflammation and pain, how do I unravel the transgenerational trauma of the past to heal my present? Although I understood the notion of samskaras, I generally related this to my personal childhood experiences and not necessarily generational adversity. I began to reflect on some of my habits and behavioral patterns in relationship to my family struggle. It also made me interested in learning even more about my clients’ family history to more completely understand the origin of some of their symptoms and why certain habits are such a challenge to shift.
After some personal and professional exploration, here are 3 steps I am currently using to begin to break free from undesired transgenerational samskaras.
Step 1: Intention. Healing these deep seeded wounds does not happen by accident. As we’ve discussed in past blogs, intentions are powerful and act as the constant thread that can guide us when we are tempted to veer of track.
Learning about what your parents, grandparents, great grandparents (and so on) faced can provide a wealth of knowledge about your own survival patterns. If you can, call or visit a family member, ask them questions and learn about the past. Did something traumatic happen? When we approach these challenging shifts with intention, we are more likely to stay focused even when it’s tempting to drop back into the unwanted, yet comfortable and familiar patterns. (Click here to read our blog on the power of intention).
Step 2: Burn baby burn! (And no, I am not talking about going into a hot yoga studio.) In yoga, the word tapas meaning “heat” or “cleanse”, provides the purification for change. Think of tapas as that little flame inside of you that keeps you motivated and on track. Tapas can also mean cultivating a sense of self-discipline, to burn away physical, mental and emotional samskaras, opening the door to growth. Remember, “discipline” does not mean “difficult”. Cultivating tapas can include yoga asana (poses), chanting, breathing or meditation. It’s probably no surprise that I love using various breathing techniques to raise body temperature and ignite the mental fire to change my (often repetitive) thinking patterns. Two of my favorite breathing techniques to build tapas include Ujjayi breathing (victorious breath) or Kapalabhati (breath of fire).
Step 3: Self-study. Before diving in, it’s important to note that we must always approach this step from a place of positivity, compassion and love. Studying is the foundation of learning, growing and evolving. Self- study is about turning inward and observing our actions, reactions, emotions and of course, habits. The goal is to be curious about tendencies that aren’t useful which gives us a chance to let go with more at ease. Self-study guide questions can include:
- How do I treat myself?
- What are my beliefs and attitudes about who I am?
- Do these attitudes support or limit me?
- Am I loving and compassionate towards my body and myself?
Practicing mindfulness is an excellent tool to cultivate the study of self. Carving out time to observe how the experience of breathing affects you in the moment or to notice the thoughts, emotions, and sensations being experienced in the body are simple ways to integrate this step into daily living.
There’s no doubt that the discovery of epigenetics makes getting to the ROOT a bit tricky. On the flipside, this knowledge is also a gift. If we know that some of what we experience is passed on, that also means we have the power to shift these habits and break the unwanted samskara loop for future generations.
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