Over the years one of the most common questions I have had in my practice is how long to hold a stretch. Is it 20 seconds, 30 seconds, one minute, longer? Essentially, no technique is wrong however over the last several years I have been learning about the connective tissue system in the body, the fascia, and how to "stretch" it effectively. Fascia (the sc is pronounced like an sh) is the fluid whole body system of connective tissue that in its healthy state allows for the transportation of messages, energy and nutrients to all cells of the body including the muscle cells. John F. Barnes has described it as the system that got ignored in the anatomy books.
Fascia has an elastic component and a collagenous component. For a permanent change and release of restricted tissue, it is the collagenous component that we want to effect. The technique that I have been learning about, myofascial release, addresses the collagenous component of the fascia by holding a stretch or hands-on release longer, up to two minutes or more. It takes that long for the tissue to elongate, release, and stretch.
So incorporating a few long hold stretches into your routine will give you some benefits. It will allow you to focus, with good body awareness, on the part you are stretching. And it will begin to effect the collagenous component of the fascia which will result in more permanent changes in your body. That means improved range of motion of your joints and reduced tightness and pain.
One of the best resources for myofascial stretching is "Myofascial Stretching. A Guide to Self Treatment". It will take you through several different positions for whole body stretching with wonderful guidelines on the technique.
In general this is how to do it: Get into a good comfortable stretch position that you like and are familiar with. Now begin to take yourself into the stretch so that you are feeling a moderate pulling sensation. Breathe and relax all the different parts of your body that you can feel are tensing. Hold the stretch. Breathe, and on exhale, release again, un-clenching any parts of you that might be tightening. Take up the slack of the stretch as it gets easier and hold longer. Try this for 2 minutes and see how it goes!
Happy stretching!
Friday, August 19, 2011
Thursday, August 18, 2011
The Comfort Zone
You can't grow in your comfort zone. This idea has been appearing in my life in several ways lately. I am awake already! Listening. Waiting. Being. But still yearning for transformation. Kinda like watching a pot of water and waiting for it to boil. So in the waiting lies the transformation itself, only we can't try to get it. Trying gets in the way. So I sit in my discomfort, kind of waddling in it lately and when I notice a yearning, I sit more still and notice some more.
In a recent book I read "Manifesting Change" Mike Dooley says all we need to do is lean in the general direction of our dreams. Lean means taking actions that are consistent with what we want. And that is good enough - we can leave the rest up to the Universe. Which means we will be doing some waiting. Landmark calls the waiting The Gap as in the gap between where you are now and where you would like to be. The art is how you choose to live in the gap. You can live there in your head, thinking about where you want to be, or you can live in each of the moments of the gap gently leaning in the general direction of where you want to be with each choice.
Sometimes those moments of choice will be uncomfortable, out of the comfort zone. I once thought that they all had to feel good if I was doing this all "right". I wasn't getting it. Part of it is taking risks that are out of your comfort zone so that you have the chance to grow, to transform. Leaning is sometimes uncomfortable. I had to get comfortable with that idea. And even though I get it more now, it never feels easy. It is not about being easy. Darn it.
In talking with a family member last night we agreed that we are tired of being afraid to lean.
Tired of our same old childlike reactions to life. We feel ready to be ourselves in the world and are beginning to understand what that means. An interesting journey that gets lost with over thinking. It requires grounding. What helps you feel grounded? What helps you feel more present in your body? More now? For me, most weeks, it is taekwondo.
In a recent book I read "Manifesting Change" Mike Dooley says all we need to do is lean in the general direction of our dreams. Lean means taking actions that are consistent with what we want. And that is good enough - we can leave the rest up to the Universe. Which means we will be doing some waiting. Landmark calls the waiting The Gap as in the gap between where you are now and where you would like to be. The art is how you choose to live in the gap. You can live there in your head, thinking about where you want to be, or you can live in each of the moments of the gap gently leaning in the general direction of where you want to be with each choice.
Sometimes those moments of choice will be uncomfortable, out of the comfort zone. I once thought that they all had to feel good if I was doing this all "right". I wasn't getting it. Part of it is taking risks that are out of your comfort zone so that you have the chance to grow, to transform. Leaning is sometimes uncomfortable. I had to get comfortable with that idea. And even though I get it more now, it never feels easy. It is not about being easy. Darn it.
In talking with a family member last night we agreed that we are tired of being afraid to lean.
Tired of our same old childlike reactions to life. We feel ready to be ourselves in the world and are beginning to understand what that means. An interesting journey that gets lost with over thinking. It requires grounding. What helps you feel grounded? What helps you feel more present in your body? More now? For me, most weeks, it is taekwondo.
Wednesday, August 17, 2011
Traumeel
I have had a few questions about the Traumeel cream that I use for my taekwondo injuries and so I thought I would give you all a bit more info on it. I started using Traumeel in 1997 when one of my marathon training partners recommended it for sore knees. I have been using it ever since for various issues, but the best use by far is for bruises (taekwondo).
Traumeel is a homeopathic ointment that is used as an anti-inflammitory and a pain reliever in one. It has several magical active ingredients, one of which I get the most questions about, called mercurius solubilis. I emailed a homeopath friend of mine about it and here was her response:
Regarding the ingredient - it is mercury - but it is homeopathic...that means it's been diluted and potentized so that no molecules of the original substance is left. Many remedies are diluted to the point of comparing it to a drop in the ocean! Many homeopathic remedies are made from poisons, noxious gases, heavy metals, as well as plants, trees, flowers, etc. But remedies are so dilute that they are completely safe, non-toxic and have proven efficacy for over 200 years. As you know they have no side effects and are completely safe even for babies and children, who make up most of my practice. The Traumeel product is made by a very reputable pharmacy that has been around a very long time. These topical products and oral remedies are under regulation by the FDA since 1935 and although we can question some of the FDA's decisions, homeopathic remedies is not one. For a good understanding and to help with this question, visit the National Center for Homeopathy's website: www.nationalcenterforhomeopathy.org
Kathleen Slonager, RN, DiOM, ADS, AE-C
www.transformationalhealthpc.com
Traumeel is the best product I have found so far for bruising, or achy/painful muscle areas.
You can find it at places like Whole Foods and Mom's Organic Market. Please let me know if you have any other questions about it. And visit Kathleen's website to learn more about Homeopathy!
Regarding the ingredient - it is mercury - but it is homeopathic...that means it's been diluted and potentized so that no molecules of the original substance is left. Many remedies are diluted to the point of comparing it to a drop in the ocean! Many homeopathic remedies are made from poisons, noxious gases, heavy metals, as well as plants, trees, flowers, etc. But remedies are so dilute that they are completely safe, non-toxic and have proven efficacy for over 200 years. As you know they have no side effects and are completely safe even for babies and children, who make up most of my practice. The Traumeel product is made by a very reputable pharmacy that has been around a very long time. These topical products and oral remedies are under regulation by the FDA since 1935 and although we can question some of the FDA's decisions, homeopathic remedies is not one. For a good understanding and to help with this question, visit the National Center for Homeopathy's website: www.nationalcenterforhomeopathy.org
Kathleen Slonager, RN, DiOM, ADS, AE-C
www.transformationalhealthpc.com
Traumeel is the best product I have found so far for bruising, or achy/painful muscle areas.
You can find it at places like Whole Foods and Mom's Organic Market. Please let me know if you have any other questions about it. And visit Kathleen's website to learn more about Homeopathy!
Tuesday, August 16, 2011
Good Luck on the Test!
Wanted to wish all of my fellow Gentle East students good luck on your test this week! I know you will all do great.
TIPS FOR AN AWESOME TEST
1. Hydrate, hydrate, hydrate...bring more water/Gatorade then you think you will need and make sure you have eaten a good breakfast with protein the morning of your test.
2. Get there early to warm up and stretch...you will not get the usual chance to stretch, like in class.
3. Practice/memorize your fundamental moves, forms, combination kicks so well that you don't have to worry about "thinking" too much during the test.
4. Pace yourself so that you have energy to break those boards at the end!
I look forward to hearing about your experiences!
Here are some pictures, in random order, of past tests!
TIPS FOR AN AWESOME TEST
1. Hydrate, hydrate, hydrate...bring more water/Gatorade then you think you will need and make sure you have eaten a good breakfast with protein the morning of your test.
2. Get there early to warm up and stretch...you will not get the usual chance to stretch, like in class.
3. Practice/memorize your fundamental moves, forms, combination kicks so well that you don't have to worry about "thinking" too much during the test.
4. Pace yourself so that you have energy to break those boards at the end!
I look forward to hearing about your experiences!
Here are some pictures, in random order, of past tests!
Sunday, August 14, 2011
To Act
To look is one thing.To see what you look at is another.
To understand what you see is a third.
To learn from what you understand is still
something else;
To act on what you learn is all that matters.
Taoist saying
Jonathan attended a book making camp last week at
Glen Echo Park. This scroll was one of the things he made and I loved the saying. I think the beginning is about awareness, and the last line is about the choice you make.
Saturday, August 13, 2011
Ah, Saturday Morning......The Discipline
Saturday morning is taekwondo. There are a lot of reasons that this is a really good thing, the best one being that I get to exercise first thing and it makes me feel better the whole rest of the day. This is the day, the part of the weekly routine that I don't makes excuses to get out of unless I am going on vacation. Yes I occasionally make excuses to get out of exercising. I know it is hard to believe.
The routines we put in place are important, especially the ones that have to do with our health. When we don't have them we are sometimes lost and it is so easy to come up with excuses. We end up sabotaging ourselves.
I have been thinking about the idea of discipline as an avenue to freedom. The definition I found this morning of discipline was this:
1. Training that corrects, molds or perfects the mental faculties or moral character.
And disciplined:
1. To train by instruction and practice, especially to teach self control.
Seems as if life itself is the ultimate discipline............
Here is the description of the taekwondo tenet of self control from the Gentle East website:
This tenet is extremely important inside and outside the dojang, whether conducting oneself in free sparring or in one's personal affairs. A loss of self control in free sparring can prove disastrous to both student and opponent. An inability to live and work within one's capacity or sphere is also a lack of self control.
I liken the idea of self control to being grounded and centered in your life. The word control rubs people the wrong way sometimes and can feel stifling. When you are grounded and centered in sparring or life, mind and body working together to be in the present moment, this is the ultimate freedom because it gives you choice.
I am grateful for the discipline of taekwondo, of exercise, of awareness in my life and I can let these help me with the ultimate expression of who I am in the world.
Now, off to kick and punch...
The routines we put in place are important, especially the ones that have to do with our health. When we don't have them we are sometimes lost and it is so easy to come up with excuses. We end up sabotaging ourselves.
I have been thinking about the idea of discipline as an avenue to freedom. The definition I found this morning of discipline was this:
1. Training that corrects, molds or perfects the mental faculties or moral character.
And disciplined:
1. To train by instruction and practice, especially to teach self control.
Seems as if life itself is the ultimate discipline............
Here is the description of the taekwondo tenet of self control from the Gentle East website:
This tenet is extremely important inside and outside the dojang, whether conducting oneself in free sparring or in one's personal affairs. A loss of self control in free sparring can prove disastrous to both student and opponent. An inability to live and work within one's capacity or sphere is also a lack of self control.
I liken the idea of self control to being grounded and centered in your life. The word control rubs people the wrong way sometimes and can feel stifling. When you are grounded and centered in sparring or life, mind and body working together to be in the present moment, this is the ultimate freedom because it gives you choice.
I am grateful for the discipline of taekwondo, of exercise, of awareness in my life and I can let these help me with the ultimate expression of who I am in the world.
Now, off to kick and punch...
Friday, August 12, 2011
Sparring, Mostly Myself
My name is Kim. Laura asked me to post about sparring...
It's been about five minutes. The plastic protecting my teeth feels like a mouth full of sand, but there's no sneaking over to my water bottle. There are vinyl-clad pads protecting the rest of my body, except for a sliver of wrist that's a favorite of my opponents' kicks (again with the wrist? are you kidding me?). I am gasping and sweating through pores I never new existed. My opponent has barely started gently perspiring and is soundly beating me. I should be thinking of combinations--3, 4, 2, pull, step, front to back. Find an opening. Instead, I can think one thing.
I suck at this.
My classmates are very kind, suggesting moves and telling me they're going to go easy on me (awesome, says my ego). I keep thinking that at green belt level, I should be able to hold my own. But this is fast, this sparring thing, and my opponents seem to have more arms and legs, and definitely more coordination, than I. They can do that back to front thing without toppling over, and still nail me right in my chest guard--the one my disobedient arms are supposed to be protecting instead of flailing around like that.
Two years ago, wrapping myself in plastic and voluntarily letting other people kick the snot out of me wasn't even remotely on my radar. I signed up for Taekwondo for my son, who wanted to try it but resisted joining the class alone. So I joined too, figuring a session or two would give him enough confidence to go it alone and I could drop out and hang out with the gaggle of moms on the steps, checking email and reading books while their kids learned a bit.
Here we are. He is moving like lightning, having drastically improved in his motor skills and confidence. My daughter joined class a few weeks ago, after finally making the tough decision between TKD and dance, and is learning her first kicks and fundamental moves. I, on the other hand, am strangely addicted to the class, but lumber around like the 40-something minivan driving desk jockey I am, praying to whatever powers exist that somebody will call the damn time already so I can breathe for a minute. Take a shower. Pour a glass of wine and burrow on the couch where I belong already.
I'm trying to learn. The tips my classmates and my teachers give me make a lot of sense. Given a few minutes of practice, I can do most of the moves reasonably well (except for that toppling-over turny thing...and that reverse back kick that taunts me) during class. But the pads go on and the kicks and punches come at warp speed, and try as I might--and I really do try--I suck at this.
Thank you if you've tried to help me with tips and the going-easy thing. Apologies to those who want a real fight on Thursday nights and wind up facing me on the mats. I'm trying--I promise. I'll get it eventually. Maybe...
It's been about five minutes. The plastic protecting my teeth feels like a mouth full of sand, but there's no sneaking over to my water bottle. There are vinyl-clad pads protecting the rest of my body, except for a sliver of wrist that's a favorite of my opponents' kicks (again with the wrist? are you kidding me?). I am gasping and sweating through pores I never new existed. My opponent has barely started gently perspiring and is soundly beating me. I should be thinking of combinations--3, 4, 2, pull, step, front to back. Find an opening. Instead, I can think one thing.
I suck at this.
My classmates are very kind, suggesting moves and telling me they're going to go easy on me (awesome, says my ego). I keep thinking that at green belt level, I should be able to hold my own. But this is fast, this sparring thing, and my opponents seem to have more arms and legs, and definitely more coordination, than I. They can do that back to front thing without toppling over, and still nail me right in my chest guard--the one my disobedient arms are supposed to be protecting instead of flailing around like that.
Two years ago, wrapping myself in plastic and voluntarily letting other people kick the snot out of me wasn't even remotely on my radar. I signed up for Taekwondo for my son, who wanted to try it but resisted joining the class alone. So I joined too, figuring a session or two would give him enough confidence to go it alone and I could drop out and hang out with the gaggle of moms on the steps, checking email and reading books while their kids learned a bit.
Here we are. He is moving like lightning, having drastically improved in his motor skills and confidence. My daughter joined class a few weeks ago, after finally making the tough decision between TKD and dance, and is learning her first kicks and fundamental moves. I, on the other hand, am strangely addicted to the class, but lumber around like the 40-something minivan driving desk jockey I am, praying to whatever powers exist that somebody will call the damn time already so I can breathe for a minute. Take a shower. Pour a glass of wine and burrow on the couch where I belong already.
I'm trying to learn. The tips my classmates and my teachers give me make a lot of sense. Given a few minutes of practice, I can do most of the moves reasonably well (except for that toppling-over turny thing...and that reverse back kick that taunts me) during class. But the pads go on and the kicks and punches come at warp speed, and try as I might--and I really do try--I suck at this.
Thank you if you've tried to help me with tips and the going-easy thing. Apologies to those who want a real fight on Thursday nights and wind up facing me on the mats. I'm trying--I promise. I'll get it eventually. Maybe...
This Week's Mini Miracle
My daughter decided to sign up for a session of taekwondo with us (my son and I) this week! I am thrilled and do not know what got into her. A while back she practiced with us for about 8 months, and earned a green stripe on her yellow belt. Then she quit. And that was usual for her, to pick something but then change her mind. Last week when she came to me and said "mom you aren't going to believe me but I want you to sign me up for taekwondo" she was right, I didn't believe her. I had been trying at various times to talk her into signing up again, knowing that it was futile. So for this to be her own motivation was awesome. And a special thanks to Maddie for helping to inspire Danielle last week!
Since Dani has signed up she has asked me to review the forms with her every night which gives me a great opportunity to practice myself. I even heard her ask Jonathan in the car last night "show me the punches". She was talking about something called the examination procedure sitting stance punch sequence. Jonathan proceeded to show her six singles, two doubles and three triples from his car seat! Makes me smile.
Taekwondo is one of the few activities that you can participate in with your children, where you practice, learn and advance together. I can not think of many other sports that are like this. There is an immense satisfaction in being there and practicing with them. Watching her watch Ms. M intently as she is showing her Chung Ji makes me smile. Hearing her little girl kiup from across the room makes me smile. Prioritizing exercise and doing it together sets the stage for excellent habits in the future. And as for the now, I could not be a happier taekwondo mom.
Since Dani has signed up she has asked me to review the forms with her every night which gives me a great opportunity to practice myself. I even heard her ask Jonathan in the car last night "show me the punches". She was talking about something called the examination procedure sitting stance punch sequence. Jonathan proceeded to show her six singles, two doubles and three triples from his car seat! Makes me smile.
Taekwondo is one of the few activities that you can participate in with your children, where you practice, learn and advance together. I can not think of many other sports that are like this. There is an immense satisfaction in being there and practicing with them. Watching her watch Ms. M intently as she is showing her Chung Ji makes me smile. Hearing her little girl kiup from across the room makes me smile. Prioritizing exercise and doing it together sets the stage for excellent habits in the future. And as for the now, I could not be a happier taekwondo mom.
Wednesday, August 10, 2011
The Art of Living
I am thinking this week about living with compassion and clarity. Gaining freedom through more discipline. The topics and thoughts feel heavy and difficult to sort out. It is a heavy week. The art of living is about responding to "heavy" without having to avoid or deny. It is about being there just as well and present as you are in "light". And it is about responding instead of reacting, paying attention, feeling your way, metabolizing the stuff of your life, and integrating. I am not totally sure what I even mean by this yet, but it is sorting itself out slowly.
Some things are easy for me and I am "good" when I am doing those things. Even if they are challenging I can still "go" because it is just what I do. I love working out. Monday night taekwondo was a great kick ass workout. There were only four of us and it is just more of a physical workout when the class is small. I thrive there and that feels a certain good way to me.
Some things are not easy for me and I feel "bad" when I am doing those things. The more difficult, the more paralyzed I become. It is not what I do well, so I don't want to do it. It takes a lot of effort to make myself try. Understanding and trusting what I feel and then being able to speak my truth with clarity and compassion is what I am working on. Having a voice at all in a difficult situation is a goal. I struggle there and that feels a certain uncomfortable way to me. However the result can be growth, transformation and freedom. So I am dabbling with being okay with feeling uncomfortable, and finding a voice in the middle of it.
Part of the art is figuring out the places where you need to learn and part of it is grabbing hold of those opportunities when they are in front of you. Awareness and practice.
I was able to get Jhoong-Gun checked off last week and now I am working on Toi-Gye (pronounced Tay Gay). Three more to go... Awareness and practice.
Some things are easy for me and I am "good" when I am doing those things. Even if they are challenging I can still "go" because it is just what I do. I love working out. Monday night taekwondo was a great kick ass workout. There were only four of us and it is just more of a physical workout when the class is small. I thrive there and that feels a certain good way to me.
Some things are not easy for me and I feel "bad" when I am doing those things. The more difficult, the more paralyzed I become. It is not what I do well, so I don't want to do it. It takes a lot of effort to make myself try. Understanding and trusting what I feel and then being able to speak my truth with clarity and compassion is what I am working on. Having a voice at all in a difficult situation is a goal. I struggle there and that feels a certain uncomfortable way to me. However the result can be growth, transformation and freedom. So I am dabbling with being okay with feeling uncomfortable, and finding a voice in the middle of it.
Part of the art is figuring out the places where you need to learn and part of it is grabbing hold of those opportunities when they are in front of you. Awareness and practice.
I was able to get Jhoong-Gun checked off last week and now I am working on Toi-Gye (pronounced Tay Gay). Three more to go... Awareness and practice.
Friday, August 5, 2011
Cat/Tiger Monster and Fatigue
My daughter drew this picture while we were waiting for her camp bus yesterday morning.
Camp has been great for the kids, but lately I have described my youngest as coming home a "monster child". Kids have a hard time admitting fatigue. Funny how when we get older, it can be the same way. We go, go, go until we are worn out. We are exhausted yet we won't admit it and we keep going until we get grumpy. Kids have so much energy. They are playing, drawing, running, sporting, and this week, rock climbing, paddling and trampolining! And still they want to do more, and never want to go to bed. They will even get angry if you suggest that they look tired. "I am NNOOOTTT tired mom!!". And then 30 seconds later they are literally passed out on their dinner plate. I guess this is a good tired but enduring the minutes up until the crash is difficult sometimes. As a parent we learn to recognize this kind of fatigue and give the kid a little slack. It would be good to recognize our own fatigue this way, gently. We have more awareness of it as an adult, but don't seem to do anything about it. We learn that doing more is better, even when it begins to effect our mood and function, and even our health. For some people it takes a huge wake up call to learn to listen to their bodies. I mentioned in an earlier post about awareness that tightness is one of the precursor signs to pain and injury. So fatigue is also one of those signs...and illness can be the result.
Awareness is a form of listening. The body is what you are listening to.
Be a good listener.
And then make a good choice.
Awareness is a form of listening. The body is what you are listening to.
Be a good listener.
And then make a good choice.
Thursday, August 4, 2011
Making Space
One of the body awareness techniques I teach people is the idea of making space around an area of tightness or pain. First you have to feel it, then you can begin to "make space" or soften around it initially letting it get bigger or more expansive so that it eventually dissolves and lets go. This is a practice that requires one to slow down, quiet the mind and feel, using the body senses to notice what is there first. Then you can use the idea of making space around it to help it release.
The most normal reaction to pain (emotional or physical) is to clench, tighten or constrict around the area of pain. Sometimes the whole body reacts this way, like when you have a bad pain in your knee and you catch yourself clenching your jaw in response. Awareness of it gives you the choice to let it go. If the tightening remains unconscious we can go on clenching, tightening or constricting for minutes, hours, days or even years. And that will add up to compression of the joints or other pain sensitive structures in the body over time.
There are many triggers in our lives that will cause this physical tightening response including pain or injury, recent surgery or other trauma, as well as psychological or emotional stress. What is in the mind is also in the body whether you are conscious of it or not. So best to be conscious and make some space for it. You are not necessarily trying or forcing yourself to get rid of what you feel. The feeling awareness has to come first. Then you can choose to keep clenching (hard to do once you know you are doing it) or begin to make space and let go, soften and release. You may at first feel more pain or tightening, but usually this shifts quickly and dissolves. When we physically let go we make space for energy to flow. Healthy flow is important. Pain usually means there is a block in the flow.
All of this awareness stuff takes practice and your relaxed attention. That means carving out some quiet time, but even practicing "feeling" for a few minutes while you are in the middle of doing something is outstanding. It is worth any time or attention you give it because this is a path to healing.
Sometimes it is nice to have help at first, a body awareness coach of sorts. And that is what I have dedicated part of my physical therapy practice to in the last few years. I invite your calls, emails, questions and comments about it....we are all working on the same healing, each in our own way.
Now breathe and relax.
Watching the horses at the farm pulls me into the moment.
I am mostly "feeling" around them, little thinking. I watch them chew, breathe, walk, and it makes me feel relaxed. This is Cory and she is a 1500 lb German warm blood. When you arrive at the fence she comes over from wherever she is in the pasture to meet you. If you scratch her back, she will scratch yours with her nose!
The most normal reaction to pain (emotional or physical) is to clench, tighten or constrict around the area of pain. Sometimes the whole body reacts this way, like when you have a bad pain in your knee and you catch yourself clenching your jaw in response. Awareness of it gives you the choice to let it go. If the tightening remains unconscious we can go on clenching, tightening or constricting for minutes, hours, days or even years. And that will add up to compression of the joints or other pain sensitive structures in the body over time.
There are many triggers in our lives that will cause this physical tightening response including pain or injury, recent surgery or other trauma, as well as psychological or emotional stress. What is in the mind is also in the body whether you are conscious of it or not. So best to be conscious and make some space for it. You are not necessarily trying or forcing yourself to get rid of what you feel. The feeling awareness has to come first. Then you can choose to keep clenching (hard to do once you know you are doing it) or begin to make space and let go, soften and release. You may at first feel more pain or tightening, but usually this shifts quickly and dissolves. When we physically let go we make space for energy to flow. Healthy flow is important. Pain usually means there is a block in the flow.
All of this awareness stuff takes practice and your relaxed attention. That means carving out some quiet time, but even practicing "feeling" for a few minutes while you are in the middle of doing something is outstanding. It is worth any time or attention you give it because this is a path to healing.
Sometimes it is nice to have help at first, a body awareness coach of sorts. And that is what I have dedicated part of my physical therapy practice to in the last few years. I invite your calls, emails, questions and comments about it....we are all working on the same healing, each in our own way.
Now breathe and relax.
I am mostly "feeling" around them, little thinking. I watch them chew, breathe, walk, and it makes me feel relaxed. This is Cory and she is a 1500 lb German warm blood. When you arrive at the fence she comes over from wherever she is in the pasture to meet you. If you scratch her back, she will scratch yours with her nose!
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