muscle

The musculature system enables us to be active. As one muscle contracts another relaxes, to enable movement to occur. All muscle of the body shares the ability to contract and relax. When we are stressed muscles contract which can lead to tension and pain.

Focus: Releasing tension, improving circulation, and enhancing body awareness.

• Reflect on the huge number of actions you can do thanks to your muscles.

• Are there any areas you are holding tension. If possible, bring your attention to them with warm hands.

• Clench and release your fist. Notice how muscles of the top of the hand lengthen or contract whilst palm muscles shorten or relax. Try this with the arms and legs, closing and opening.

• Now, as you breath in clench your fist and as you breath out relax it. Try this clench and release breath with different muscles groups such as your neck; shoulders; belly; buttocks and legs.

• Using the breath, clench and release the body several times. How do you feel? How is your pain?

Variation for Different positions:

•     In a chair, try this with your toes and feet, pressing into the floor and releasing.

•     In bed, curl into a foetus position slightly to clench muscles, then stretch out and release.