Loto Journal
Through personal storytelling and letter writing, follow our Founder, Jennifer Axcell, as she travels the 🌎 globe as a digital nomad and Desert Mother, exploring cultural expressions of rest and self-care.
Including thoughtfully created blog content about somatic healing practices, nervous system self-regulation techniques, and faith-based spiritual practices, Loto Wellness Collective’s blog focuses on the art and science of rest and renewal, drawing inspiration from the life of Jesus, monastic wisdom, and modern science.
Reader’s Note: In the Loto Wellness Collective blog content, except for direct quotes, the pronouns often used for the One True God are They/Them in reference to the triune personhood of YHWH. When referencing Jesus specifically, the pronouns He/Him are used. In keeping with the canonical New Testament, God is also referred to as Father.
Janzu: A Rebirth
At its core, Janzu is a somatic journey: the facilitator cradles the receiver in body-temp water, guiding slow, rhythmic movements that coax the brain into deep Theta relaxation—a gateway to releasing stress, trauma, and emotional blockages while reawakening cellular memory and primal consciousness. This practice—often dubbed "rebirth therapy"—invites participants to revisit birth-like thresholds, fostering reconnection with the body and the Self.
A Weapon Against Burnout
Chronic stress is the fast track to burnout. Our body's autonomic nervous system (ANS) is constantly scanning our internal and exterior environments for signals of "safety" or "unsafety" and sends chemical messages through the body in response. As a survival mechanism, when this unconscious system perceives a threat (stress), it activates our sympathetic nervous system through chemical/hormonal signals that move us into a state of fight/flight/freeze/fawn.
The “Ick”: Somatic Warning Signs from the Subconscious Mind
Ever feel like a day/week/month/year goes by you so fast that you can't believe it (or remember it)? Often wonder, "Where did the time go?" If so, please allow me to introduce you to what I call auto-pilot sleepwalking.
The Spacious Life Part 3
Breathwork: A Tool for Self-Regulation of the Nervous System to Influence the Polyvagal Response 🫁
Breathwork is a powerful practice that can help self-regulate the nervous system and influence the polyvagal response. The breath is a unique tool because it can be consciously controlled and modified to impact our physiological and emotional states.
The Nervous System’s Relationship to Stress 🧠
The polyvagal theory offers a framework for understanding the complex interplay between the autonomic nervous system, stress responses, social engagement, and rest. It highlights the importance of fostering a balanced autonomic nervous system, promoting a state of safety and connection to support optimal rest and well-being.
Contributors & Collaborators
Loto Living and Loto Journal, would not be possible without the ongoing support and generous contributions from an incredible team of writers, artists, healers, editors, creatives, and pastors.