Ever feel overwhelmed, heart racing, in total shutdown, distracted and disconnected or perhaps unable to breath and speak? Panic Attacks and Fright states are similar yet different depending on the context and person. If you feel trapped in Fear or Fright, I am here to support you; through Acupuncture, Breathwork, tailored Qi Gong, Yoga asanas and Counselling.

In the Suwen, chapter 39: “When there is fear, Qi descends, when there is fear, the essences withdraw (fold up); withdrawing, then the upper heater (thoracic cavity, above the diaphragm, and related structures); closing, the Qi leaves; leaving, therefore the lower heater (internal areas/structures below the umbilicus). This is how the Qi does not circulate.”

* Qi is tricky to translate, as it is an ‘in relation with’ sort of quality, a communication within context. So if I am constantly hunched over and in a state of anxiety, the understanding is that quality of relationship with self, environment, others etc. has implications in my experience/quality of life and environmental/social/relational reverberations.

This is how longevity (Shoù 寿) can be squandered, without a free-flow or circulation of Qi. Try hunching over and tensing your body: how does it feel to breath? Could you imagine hours, days, years in that embodied state? What might your experience be like as you navigate life in this way?

Until now, I have kept these articles fairly clinical, historical and based on my notes and recordings of Kevin Wallbridge’s classes, discussion with Michael Smith, as well as a book ‘The Seven Emotions’ by Claude Larre & Elisabeth Rochet de la Vallée.

Being that I have a long and intimate relationship with Panic Attacks, I am going to share my experience and how I navigate.

My earliest recollection is some time prior to puberty. I always remember the ‘hollowed out state’ I would feel after, as if I had been drained of life. During the Panic Attack was terrifying and the sensations overwhelming. I was deeply embarressed, imagining something was really wrong with me. I just wanted it go away. It was not until 10 years ago I decided to dive beneath the surface.

Having recently experienced a moment, during a personal conversation, where I felt the beginnings of a Panic state/attack, I paused and breathed, and the state did not morph into a monster. I was reminded of the capacity I have cultivated to stay anchored and present.

The radical for Fear or Kǒng Jù 恐 懼 Is the work done by pressing or knocking with the hand or to hold in the hand or do something with the hand. This could suggest the beating or knocking which fear creates in the heart (often, the heart will beat faster or pound in a fearful state). The character radical Jù 懼 shows a heart, eyes on top and below a little bird; representing the vigilance of a little bird, watching the world to preserve its’ life.

Fear is often tied to memory, and this is advantageous! Here we make a distinction, fear is a survival adaptation (the stove burns my hand, now I am careful with the stove). Fright or Fear behaviours that are not adaptive (freeze, fawn, etc) can be destructive to our sense of self, survival and prevent us from thriving in the fullness of life. Hypervigilance (constant fear state) blows cognition to pieces, and one is always assessing for threats. This means you may miss other aspects of life, because they are not threatening or see everything as a potential threat. This may affect clear discernment.

Extended fear can live on in the body, affect posture, creating physical pain and fatigue. This does not have to be your lived reality going forward. Know and feel that when you allow connection and tend to this discombobulating experience that you will be able to hold your own and be rectified.

Artwork by Marie-Anna Michaud: (Mackee’anna)(Wolfie)

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