Tension With so much going on in our lives, we seldom notice what’s taking place in our body-mind. But just stop for a moment at different times throughout your day and pay attention to how you’re feeling. Are you feeling relaxed, or do you find yourself tense, contracted, possibly fidgeting or shaking your foot? Initially I wasn’t very aware of feeling and sensation in my body. That changed when I began to receive consistent body work during my senior year of college. Sometimes I found the body work excruciatingly painful because I carried so much tension in my body. Since that time, I’ve gone through a lot of vision quests, healing and body work sessions. I’ve also spent a lot of time doing various other practices. And my sensitivity has increased as my self awareness has grown. There are many occasions from day to day as I move through the world where I become aware of unpleasant feelings. And sometimes I notice how my body is tensing or contracting in response to what’s happening in my life. I’m becoming increasingly more aware of how we carry so many layers of tension within our bodies. Tension like any other form of stress, reduces our brain’s ability to function. It has a way of constricting our consciousness as it shuts down our mind. The generative healing powers that flow from within are choked off and our bodies and minds become frozen and rigid. Living on the edge can be very stressful. I’m constantly faced with all kinds of new and challenging situations. And my body can reflect the stress that comes from it. If I fail to pay attention to what’s happening, I start to feel heavy and jammed up inside. And that prevents me from flowing with life. Stress sometimes causes me to feel antsy and that can make it difficult to be still. I’ll still myself as soon as I catch myself fidgeting or shaking my foot and start breathing into the underlying sense of agitation. All these fidgety movements are both a distraction and an attempt to release some of the nervous energy. Breathing into the underlying feelings causes the stress to dissipate and allows me to experience a greater stillness within. There are other situations that I find intimidating. I’ve become increasingly more aware of how my body contracts under these circumstances. Breathing into the feelings of fear and intimidation enables me to relax. This allows the fear to move through me and my body-mind begins to open up in a way that allows me to become more present. All of us have a very rich and vivid world within. Most people are not able to perceive it because they carry so much static and tension in their body mind. This inner world will begin to open up to you when you learn to still yourself and work with the breath. We can forget so easily and get caught up in all the drama. And that’s why it’s essential to pay attention. Breathing into tension will allow you to become more open and relaxed as you move through the world. This practice activates the generative forces within which will enable you to create and attract more of what you need. You will find it easier to process your emotions and resolve the issues that arise. The connection to your source will deepen and grow more powerful. When this happens you will find it easier to flow with life. |