When someone tells you - you can’t

I’ve had some new clients recently and each explained to me that they were told they can’t: 

squat, do a down dog, twist, or reach.  

Some were told by their Physical therapists and others by google. They explained to me none of these movements hurt them, but actually felt good. I’ve been pondering these statements and researching where the idea of not moving came from.

Then, last week, I reached in a way that didn’t seem strange to me, but it did for my back.  When this usually happens I get scared, freeze, and lay on my couch.  But I was reminded by the students who were told they can’t and I decided I would see what happens when I keep moving in a way that feels good on my back. The studies show that moving is actually the best medicine for pain.  I kept moving and teaching, deep breathing and doing what felt good in my healing, and within 3 days I was feeling good. Some icy-hot and tylenol did help along the way.  But I chose not to freeze and tense up.

I think sometimes we fear moving in a certain way as we are told not to or perhaps because our brain remembers pain and then our body braces because it is protecting us. In our daily life we need to move. We pick up the laundry basket or toys off the floor, or play with our children or grandchildren or put the dishes away, we get up and down from chairs and toilets.  

You got it. 

Our bodies are built to move, so when it feels good, our body is telling us it is ok, and when we strain something we need to find ways to heal.

This is where we find this mind/body connection.  Tuning in when movement feels good in our bodies, and tuning in when it doesn’t feel good.  Remember that breath is so important to our recovery and rest, nourishing our brain and body.

Move in ways that feel good and find ways to heal our bodies through breath and slower movements when it doesn’t.  So keep moving and living and being kind to our bodies