Integrative Bodywork

Embodied Awareness for Health

Read in Alan Fogel's Psychology Today blog about embodied self awareness, one of the Therapeutic Lifestyle Changes (TLCs) purported to boost health.

 

 

A Little at a Time

I'm just back from another visceral training.  And -- surprise!  I'm not overwhelmed! 

Four days of new material.  Four days of intensive practice. Four days in an unfamiliar environment, working closely with an instructor and practicing hands-on with fellow students, most of whom are physical therapists. 

Why am I not overwhelmed?

It was my second time through.  The curriculum included review of another class.  These classes build on what I know --- from studying reference books and notes --- and on what I know more deeply, from practice.

Wow, at that first time 12 years ago, I sure was toast by the end.  Couldn't really tell you what happened on the fourth day of it. 

But this time, I could not only take it in, but expand with it.  Over the years inbetween, with study and practice, my body has had time to incorporate this information a little at a time, in context. 

You know what they say --- about how to get to Carnegie Hall? 

Practice, practice, practice.  

I can't wait to share visceral work --- with you!  And so I'm bringing it toward the front of the room, providing a context.

We all want to enjoy moving; it's how we live our lives to the fullest.  When moving happens with greater ease, we feel better.  Feeling good, we're better able to connect with people.  Part of feeling good is enjoying strength and support, and part of it is proprioception ----- body-to-brain, brain-body, and body-body ("...stable here, how about you?") messages inside.

Visceral work is all about relationships!  We're "waking up" proprioceptive connections on the inside, the messaging system that tells our body where we are and how we're doing, relative to other parts, and relative to the whole. Awareness of self, and self in the environment. 

Visceral work is also encouraging natural movement.

To function, our organs must be moving all the time, or we die.  (Ideally, joints and muscles can also move freely, but if not, mostly that won't kill you.) Where movement is hindered or stuck, that's where  therapeutic attention will focus, gently encouraging movement in the direction of ease.  That's it!  

So, I am not a healer but a person who listens to the tissues, and connects with encouraging movement.  Listening. Connecting. Encouraging.

When it's not too much input into the system as to overwhelm, the body can adapt, incorporating what's new, moving toward hope a little at a time.

 

Breathing through the Holidays

As holiday preparations escalate, anxiety stifles our breath --- dampening  enjoyment of festive gatherings.  Take this opportunity to find an inner oasis of calm in the swirl of the season. Discover spacious containment in the breath:  a resource that keeps flowing on beyond the New Year.  Continuing to explore bottom-up wellness, we’ll be using hands-on contact, restful play, and movement to invite learning.

1 pm - 3 pm Sunday 27 November at Claremont Yoga

204 N. Yale (second level)

Reserve your spot at www.claremontyoga.com

or contact me at 909.239.8313.  Class is $25.

 Download Flyer BREATH

Thriving in Your Container

 Elastic and energized, a healthy body container defines your outside boundary, keeps your insides safe and nourished.  And it’s unique to you! 

Join me for a fun 2-hour workshop, Sunday 10 July, 1 pm at Claremont Yoga.

Third in a series exploring bottom-up wellness, we’ll be using hands-on contact, restful play, and movement to invite learning.  Download Flyer

 

Come to get inside your own skin, dwell deeper in your personal space, explore your edges.....  

 

Head, Shoulders, Knees & Toes

Second in a series exploring "bottom-up wellness", this class embraces Shoulders, in context of the whole body.  We’ll be using hands-on contact and movement, so learning – expanding perception – can happen from inside.

Download Flyer 
 

Experience a bodyworker's twist on shaping your yoga practice, and unfolding into life. 

Sunday 22 May, 1:00 pm – 3:00 pm

at  Claremont Yoga

-- in the Village at 204 N. Yale Ave. (at Second)  on 2nd floor, stairs access only

 SPACE IS LIMITED!  Reserve your spot at www.claremontyoga.com

or contact Suzanne at 909.239.8313.  Class is $25.

 

Here's some of what to expect:

Free-Range Shoulders:  Go Where They Wish. 

Should:  Might We Invite “Can” and “May” into Alignment?

No Shoulder Is An Island:  Amiable Conversation with Neighbors.

Lean on Me:  Comfort, Defend; Contain, Connect.

Shoulder Rest:  Enjoy Support from Below.

Mind Your Head

This new class explores the kind of wellness from inside you --- "bottom-up wellness".  First class will focus on the head:  resolving stress that leads to tension, hands-on help for headaches, and the role your body plays. 

New class:  Mind Your Head

When:        Sunday 3 April, 12 pm - 2 pm

Where:      Claremont Yoga

in the Village at Second and Yale, on 2nd floor.  (Stairs access only.)

Sign up at www.claremontyoga.com

                  or phone Suzanne at 909.239.8313.  Class is $25.

Experience a bodyworker's twist on shaping your yoga poses, and unfolding into life. 

Here's some of what to expect:

• Taking the Ache Out of Headache.  Lie back and relax!  Learn 7 self-help techniques to relieve head/neck tension. 
• Finding Space Inside.  Get inside your head -- where space is needed for optimal physical and mental function. 
• Finding Your Head In Space.  Up in the clouds?  In Outer Space?  Discover how your body locates itself through sensing and moving.
• Not All in Your Head.  Why feeling good requires the whole body. 

 

 

Five Days of Holiday Stress Relief

Counter inertia with a tool.

Could be a paddle, to push away water.  A shovel in the garden.  Spoons, for cooking or making music.  Or just feet, to get the hell out of Dodge.

Eight Days of Holiday Stress Relief

Oops!

Plans not well-laid -- well, not even made!

Today:  Playing it by ear.  Playing by faith.  Playing. Hoping these notes lead to the next notes, turning from single dropped notes to rippling lines of notes.

Listening for tomorrow's melody.

12 Days of Holiday Stress Relief

Simple things matter.

Take a step back: 

Is it simple?

Does it matter?

If not, leave it.

Headache Relief: Let Gravity Help

At the base of your skull, lots of muscles connect and overlap with each other.  As these muscles constrict, this can reduce flow of blood, oxygen into and out of the head.   Paradoxically, pressing firmly here can re-set the body's message to constrict, therefore restoring flow.

Here are some self-care tips to try at home:

1                     Begin by lying down, face up, and putting your hands behind your head.  Apply pressure with your thumbs and fingertips along the ridge of base-of-skull bone (occiput), and just underneath, toward the neck.   Direct your pressure toward the front of the head, moving from spot to spot along the ridge of bone.   Allow the weight of your head to fall onto your fingertips, varying the pressure.  Try rotating or tilting your head to locate areas where pressure brings relief.  These areas might change day to day.

2                     A more passive version of this utilizes a “still point inducer”.  You can purchase one, or you can make one yourself.  Put 2 racquetballs inside an athletic sock; tie a knot.  Lie face up, positioning the 2 balls side-by-side in the sock under your head, supporting the base-of-skull bone (occiput) comfortably.  You may want to slightly tuck your chin as you begin.  Allow the weight of your head to sink with gravity over several minutes, adjusting your position as needed for comfort.   

Permission to Move About

"Your captain has turned off the seat-belt sign.  You are free to move about the cabin."

Oh my goodness, what a relief.  I can move.  I can breathe freely.  I can be myself.  I can (fill in the blank). 

Today, air traffic safety is assured: I'm not piloting a plane.  I'm working one-on-one with a client seeking to reduce overwhelm, pain and stress.  But, when I give permission to move about, my client noticeably relaxes.  I do, too.

You can try it right now, "Just allow your eyes to go where they want."  Or, "See how your head and neck might want to move right now."    As you bring attention to the body, what else happens?  You might find yourself adjusting your position, maybe stretching, moving a bit to feel more grounded.  And your breath might kick in with a natural shift.

Just permission, that's all.  It's OK to be there as you are.  I'm over here, with you when you're ready.