Explaining the Four Seeds

The idea behind the Four Seeds is to prevent preventable diseases and illnesses through eating right for our metabolic type, mind-body rest and recharge, overcoming obstacles and self-limiting beliefs, mobilise and strengthen the body through a variety of movements and training systems.

Cultivating the Four Seeds enables us to eliminate stress from mind & body.

"Treat the fire, not the smoke"

What is Stress?

Following the process of the Circadian Cycle the body releases cortisol, a steroid hormone, in the morning to prepare the body for the day. This dramatic rise and subsequent drop within the first hour of waking up is called Cortisol Awakening Response (CAR).

Cortisol helps to regulate the body's response to stress. When we experience stress cortisol level rises to help the body cope with stress by increasing blood sugar levels, blood pressure and alertness.
This activation of short-term cortisol release is a great defence mechanism.
The problem begins when stress is prolonged and the cortisol release becomes chronic which disrupts hormonal balance such as thyroid, insulin and prolactin.
It can increase risks of various psychological and physical disorders, weaken the immune system and
cause inflammation in the body.

When cortisol is chronically elevated the Autonomic Nervous System is in Sympathetic Nervous System activation which for the body it is the equivalent of encountering a lion all day.
Muscles become tighter so that the body is prepared to fight, flight or freeze.

Chronically elevated cortisol has catabolic effects on muscles and can cause headaches,
back aches and other muscle pains.

High cortisol levels promote fat accumulation and stimulates lipolysis, can cause blood vessels to constrict and promotes sodium retention which increases blood pressure.

The parasympathetic nervous system doesn't activate easily anymore in our modern world.
We can learn to regulate our nervous system through various methods.

(More information about this on the Rest Seed page.)