You are allowed to slouch.
Really? From a young age on most of us have been reminded to "not slouch", to keep our head up high and our spine straight.
As I have recently been challenged by the "relationship" between the muscles and bones of my body, I came across a different outlook that I would like to share.
After searching inside of myself, as well as out in the world of experts for answers on why, I was very surprised by what my wonderful and talented Physiotherapist Susan Cook of http://www.somaticsbythesea.com has told me: "You are allowed to slouch!" What?.... Really?.....
She then explained to me that in order to make changes to my overly arched spinal posture the first step is to allow myself to go into a slouch. From there, we can slowly work towards the balanced and flexible spine I once had. Since I am a very kinestetic person, my body right away felt how profoundly true this was for me. On my way home from this appointment I could not help but feel amazed by the metaphorical connection of this statement and my life! Now to just elaborate a little bit more on the work this physiotherapist has introduced me to. The theory is based on the principals of Somatics. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Somatics This is based on two basic reflexes the human body has from infant age on.
One called the green light reflex, which is the urge of a young child to get up. It's a arching the spine backwards motion which will allows the body to "get up and do" things. In adult life this motion has a psychological connection to "Responsibilities" and "holding our head high", "holding things together" and "getting things done" you get the idea..
Then there is the opposite of this, the red light reflex, which is a forward curve of the body. It is related to protecting the front of the body (where all the vital organs are) and from an emotional perspective, this is linked to "withdrawal", "sadness", "self protection", "protecting our heart".
While I could totally relate to the notion of having to "hold things together" and "keeping my head high" as well as "protecting my heart" throughout challenging times in my life I also felt the profoundness of my physiotherapists words...."it's okay to slouch while you are healing".
I could not help but see the connection to the inner work I do with clients and myself of course. Society around us often urges us to "hold our head up high and be strong". We don't want to show sadness or vulnerabilities since they would be judged as weaknesses. What would happen if we gave ourselves permission and found safe places for us to "slouch", to allow sadness, grief and fear to flow through us? Are we afraid this flow might never stop and we be "with a forward curved spine" forever? The truth and beauty of it is very different.
By allowing pain, sadness and fear to come to the surface, we allow for true healing to happen.
As we allow ourselves to feel, we can truly heal what's inside. It is that which is looking for our loving attention and compassion. The beautiful truth of who we are in our full being comes to the surface from there..
This brings me back to my passion and purpose I feel. I am fully dedicated to providing opportunities and safe spaces to be true to who we all are. The good, the bad, the ugly, the sad, whatever shows up. We are here to support each other on this human journey and I feel filled with gratitude each time I am allowed to witness truth surfacing with one of my fellow humans.
With much love and gratitude!
Claudia Tressel
Emotional and Spiritual Health Facilitator
250-334-0206
I would also like to express my gratitude to Sohlea Rico and her expertise http://www.guidingpositivechange.com/ who first introduced me to the concept of Somatics and also Katie White http://courtenaymassagetherapy.com/about-us.html who helped me discover this recent tension imbalance and guided me in the right direction. I am lucky to have such skilled support surrounding me.
Really? From a young age on most of us have been reminded to "not slouch", to keep our head up high and our spine straight.
As I have recently been challenged by the "relationship" between the muscles and bones of my body, I came across a different outlook that I would like to share.
After searching inside of myself, as well as out in the world of experts for answers on why, I was very surprised by what my wonderful and talented Physiotherapist Susan Cook of http://www.somaticsbythesea.com has told me: "You are allowed to slouch!" What?.... Really?.....
She then explained to me that in order to make changes to my overly arched spinal posture the first step is to allow myself to go into a slouch. From there, we can slowly work towards the balanced and flexible spine I once had. Since I am a very kinestetic person, my body right away felt how profoundly true this was for me. On my way home from this appointment I could not help but feel amazed by the metaphorical connection of this statement and my life! Now to just elaborate a little bit more on the work this physiotherapist has introduced me to. The theory is based on the principals of Somatics. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Somatics This is based on two basic reflexes the human body has from infant age on.
One called the green light reflex, which is the urge of a young child to get up. It's a arching the spine backwards motion which will allows the body to "get up and do" things. In adult life this motion has a psychological connection to "Responsibilities" and "holding our head high", "holding things together" and "getting things done" you get the idea..
Then there is the opposite of this, the red light reflex, which is a forward curve of the body. It is related to protecting the front of the body (where all the vital organs are) and from an emotional perspective, this is linked to "withdrawal", "sadness", "self protection", "protecting our heart".
While I could totally relate to the notion of having to "hold things together" and "keeping my head high" as well as "protecting my heart" throughout challenging times in my life I also felt the profoundness of my physiotherapists words...."it's okay to slouch while you are healing".
I could not help but see the connection to the inner work I do with clients and myself of course. Society around us often urges us to "hold our head up high and be strong". We don't want to show sadness or vulnerabilities since they would be judged as weaknesses. What would happen if we gave ourselves permission and found safe places for us to "slouch", to allow sadness, grief and fear to flow through us? Are we afraid this flow might never stop and we be "with a forward curved spine" forever? The truth and beauty of it is very different.
By allowing pain, sadness and fear to come to the surface, we allow for true healing to happen.
As we allow ourselves to feel, we can truly heal what's inside. It is that which is looking for our loving attention and compassion. The beautiful truth of who we are in our full being comes to the surface from there..
This brings me back to my passion and purpose I feel. I am fully dedicated to providing opportunities and safe spaces to be true to who we all are. The good, the bad, the ugly, the sad, whatever shows up. We are here to support each other on this human journey and I feel filled with gratitude each time I am allowed to witness truth surfacing with one of my fellow humans.
With much love and gratitude!
Claudia Tressel
Emotional and Spiritual Health Facilitator
250-334-0206
I would also like to express my gratitude to Sohlea Rico and her expertise http://www.guidingpositivechange.com/ who first introduced me to the concept of Somatics and also Katie White http://courtenaymassagetherapy.com/about-us.html who helped me discover this recent tension imbalance and guided me in the right direction. I am lucky to have such skilled support surrounding me.
