Mind Body Medicine

Are you at the mercy of your genetic heritage? Is disease written into your DNA?
We have all heard of genes and many believe that they are responsible for myriad things from eye colour to cancer, but are they really? If genes are responsible for illness, the only option available to us would be to replace the faulty, illness causing genes, with healthy ones.
Although it is true that about 5% of the population are affected by hereditary genetic defects, the other 95% of the population possess what could be considered normal, healthy genes. So why do so many of us still struggle with sickness and lack of vitality?
It is important to note the difference between “correlation” and “causation”. Correlation means there is a relationship between two things, whilst causation refers to something that directly produces an effect. Genes may be correlated to various diseases but genes do not cause illness.  Your genetic make-up is like a blueprint. It contains potential, but by itself does not achieve anything. What determines illness is not whether or not you possess a gene correlated to illness, but whether or not that gene is turned on. If the gene is off, its presence in your blueprint does not matter.
So what turns genes on and off? Studies have shown that cells with all their DNA removed can still live and function normally for 2 or more months. According to HF Nijhout, “when a gene product is needed, a signal from its environment, not an emergent property of the gene itself, activates expression of that gene.” In other words, genes cannot turn themselves on and off; signals from the environment control whether or not a gene is active. Genes don’t control cells. Cells control genes. When a cell perceives a change in its environment, it will change its behaviour to something that suits the new environment, including turning genes on and off.
Perception can be defined as “an awareness of the environment through physical sensation”. Perception is what lies between cells and their environment. Unfortunately, perception does not always accurately reflect reality. “Perception” can be considered synonymous with “beliefs“. It is our beliefs about our environment that change our behaviour, and ultimately change our physiology. Bruce Lipton says, “Ageing is not a perception. Ageing is a belief. As soon as you start to tell yourself in your perception that you can’t do something any more, then your biological system will adjust to prove you right.”

We are not controlled by our genes. We are controlled by our beliefs.

So where does Mind Body Medicine come into play?
Mind Body Medicine recognises the link between the mind and the body. Most disease can be directly related to our lifestyles and what is going on in our minds. Our aim at Joyful Integration is to empower you to make changes in your life by engaging both your body and your mind. Through the mind, we can understand what is driving your body and behaviour as well as identify the root cause of stress. Through the body, we can help you to connect with your deeper self, and thus gain greater understanding of the mind.
 

Stop being a victim of your genes and learn how to Be All You Were Made to Be!

 
References
Lipton, B (2008), The Biology of belief, Hay House, United Kingdom.
Nijhout, H. F. (1990), Problems and paradigms: Metaphors and the role of genes in development. Bioessays, 12: 441–446. doi: 10.1002/bies.950120908