Katrina Zawawi from Feelgood Norfolk describes what it's like to have a neurodivergent brain
Ever felt overwhelmed by stress? When anxiety takes hold, it can feel like you're constantly on edge, afraid to make even the smallest decision.
This can make socialising feel like a minefield, leaving you feeling isolated and alone.
Stress can also make you more sensitive to your surroundings.
Noisy crowds, bright lights, and strong smells can seem overwhelming and even painful.
It's like your body is constantly on high alert, which can feel a lot like the experiences of people with neurodivergent conditions such as autism and ADHD.
In the UK, there are more than 700,000 registered adults and children with autism, including 24,700 in Norfolk alone (Norfolk County Council, 2024).
And an estimated 2.6 million people in the UK have ADHD (708,000 children, 1.9 million adults) (ADHD UK, 2024). These figures highlight the significant number of individuals who may experience similar symptoms.
As a neurodivergent person, I feel that the world is an assault course.
I was diagnosed with dyslexia in my 20s and with years of professional experience in adult autism, coupled with an MA in the subject, I understand this experience intimately. Navigating a neurodivergent brain means a constant battle with overstimulation and anxiety.
Traditional meditation and yoga offered some relief, but the yearning for a deeper sense of calm persisted. Then, I stumbled upon
The mix of breathwork, movement, and even chanting was unconventional, but my desperation for peace outweighed my reservations.
"It was a game-changer," I have to say. Unlike anything I'd ever experienced, Kundalini yoga offered a sense of liberation from the constant mental chatter and a profound connection to something deeper within.
The first session brought a surge of energy that coursed through my spine, a jolt that seemed to clear away the cobwebs in my head.
David S Shannahoff-Khalsa's (2010) research explains how Kundalini yoga may be beneficial for people who are neurodiverse (or equally, those suffering from stress or overwhelm).
Specifically, the brain balancing meditations, chanting, and breathwork techniques used to improve social behaviour, communication skills, and enhance emotional regulation.
Kriyas (which are specially designed sequences that combine postures, movements, and breathwork), are the heart of Kundalini yoga.
Think of them as a full-body workout for your mind, spirit, and body.
Kundalini yoga, for me, continues to be a transformative journey.
My breathwork practices have become a lifeline. Recently, I had a sudden intense allergic reaction.
The calming "Seetali breath" technique cooled my body and regulated my heart rate, avoiding a trip to A&E.
The benefits extend beyond the individual practice, fostering a supportive community - something I truly cherish. We practice, laugh, cry and support each other, together.
And it's not just me that feel the effects of kundalini yoga either, here's some experiences from others who I've met along the way:
"Kundalini Yoga with Katrina has been an eye-opening experience. It has really helped me in the last 3 months, and I can't recommend it enough."
"I have practiced yoga for many years and have only just come to Kundalini yoga. It is different to the yoga I have done before. Somehow it’s more concentrated. I have been practicing it since early in the year. I have felt some stunning results in my emotional life, and my dream life has become very vivid and very cathartic. My life has quite dramatically changed, and I am growing spiritually quite rapidly. My level of fitness is improving."
"Feeling the effects of the practice so much already in increased gratitude, aligning of goals, unblocked paths, improved digestion, ease of life, heightened mood & free spirit, and more."
Whether you're neurodivergent or simply seeking stress management, focus, and inner peace, I encourage you to explore Kundalini yoga.
Remember, self-discovery is a journey, and the benefits of Kundalini yoga may vary for each person. But who knows? Kundalini yoga might just be the missing piece that unlocks your path to inner peace. Check out kundalini-with-katrina.com to learn more.
Katrina is a member of the Feel Good Norfolk Network. Visit www.feelgoodnorfolk.co.uk to explore and discover more ways you can feel good in Norfolk.
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