As Eric Franklin states in his wonderful book Relax your Neck, Liberate your Shoulders - "the body functions holistically and we are only as flexible as the least flexible part of our body".
Now, we've all at some point in our lives suffered from a back ache or tension throughout the body but what exactly is tension?
Tension may be interpreted as a hard, tight, knotted place in our body where there is a lack of movement. The tension resides in the place where movement used to be, so it makes sense that if we allow movement back into that area, tension will gradually dissipate, although this is often easier said than done...
Have you stopped to consider where this tension comes from? Is it biomechanical or emotional? Or maybe it's a combination of both. Have you considered that the internal dialogue you use and your mental attitude could have a big part to play in the areas of pain and tension throughout the body?
Sometimes tension can arise from bad posture and coordination, sometimes from lack of movement and using tensed breathing patterns. Other times the cause of pain and tension in the body can come about by narrow thinking, exhaustion, discontentment, lack of trust and intuition, and low self esteem.
Our mental state plays a huge part in how our body feels and by gently cultivating a positive change in the way we think about ourselves, we will undoubtedly release tension in the body.
By simply affirming to ourselves that we no longer have pain, we still focus on pain. By thinking "I have no tension" is still focusing on tension. To get results, we must use positive imagery and dialogue that focuses on the end product - the place where we want to get to, ie - a flexible spine, relaxed shoulders, harmonious working muscles and free joints...
If you've read my earlier posts on Intention, you will know that it is a huge part of how I work and believe we can achieve grand results from our body just by listening to our intentions. Movement comes after thought and thought comes after intention. Intention is a knowing, it's an inert sense and the beginnings of why we do what we do.
By getting to know ourselves in the quiet times, by becoming aware of the thoughts we use to describe how we feel and by gaining awareness through movement, we will be on the path to a healthier day to day life.
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