ease, alignment, posture
Alignment
I
got four brand new tires and alignment today. It’s amazing what a
difference that makes when all your wheels are going in the same
direction. Even if one of them was slightly off, driving would
become hindered and inefficient.
Same principle applies to humans. When we find alignment in our bodies, our movement becomes flowing and resistance-free. Alignment in the Rolfing sense means the ability to find a position in which all parts are supported from bottom up. In such a place, we rest into gravity as opposed to fight gravity.
When the structures of the human body are differentiated and hydrated, the alignment happens naturally. The tissue is plump and resilient and easily adapts to find the alignment in various positions. For example, when we stand, the side line connecting the ankle, hip joint, shoulder joint and the ear represents the optimal alignment position. When we sit, the sit bones provide the anchor instead of the legs but the same principle of alignment applies.
Most of us find ourselves in various modifications of the “plump line,” depending on our energy and awareness. The best way to find it is by slowly rocking on your feet forward and back and find THE place where all our weight can sink through the center of the feet, hips, shoulders and the head balances on top.
For most of my clients, this state of alignment is a new sensation. It has been too long for them to remember what it’s like to move freely and be relaxed. They learn that they can re-create this sense of balanced body and support and rest in their every day activities,whether they are waiting in line or sitting at a computer. It is a skill to find the sensation of alignment, rest and ease that can be cultivated.
Resting is the key word here. When we rest, we surrender, we relax, we accept what is. This state of being is spacious and expanded and we have a choice to respond from a centered place to the demands of life. It is useful to be able to switch between a state of expansion and contraction but in the long run, prolonged contraction will create chronic tension and eventually pain. Tension is the opposite of sensation. When we are chronically tight, we stop feeling and we lose both the sensations of pain as well as pleasure.
The more we stay relaxed, the more we feel. The more we feel, the more we can return to the gracious state of balance, harmony and alignment. Now, let yourself rest into your body!
Same principle applies to humans. When we find alignment in our bodies, our movement becomes flowing and resistance-free. Alignment in the Rolfing sense means the ability to find a position in which all parts are supported from bottom up. In such a place, we rest into gravity as opposed to fight gravity.
When the structures of the human body are differentiated and hydrated, the alignment happens naturally. The tissue is plump and resilient and easily adapts to find the alignment in various positions. For example, when we stand, the side line connecting the ankle, hip joint, shoulder joint and the ear represents the optimal alignment position. When we sit, the sit bones provide the anchor instead of the legs but the same principle of alignment applies.
Most of us find ourselves in various modifications of the “plump line,” depending on our energy and awareness. The best way to find it is by slowly rocking on your feet forward and back and find THE place where all our weight can sink through the center of the feet, hips, shoulders and the head balances on top.
For most of my clients, this state of alignment is a new sensation. It has been too long for them to remember what it’s like to move freely and be relaxed. They learn that they can re-create this sense of balanced body and support and rest in their every day activities,whether they are waiting in line or sitting at a computer. It is a skill to find the sensation of alignment, rest and ease that can be cultivated.
Resting is the key word here. When we rest, we surrender, we relax, we accept what is. This state of being is spacious and expanded and we have a choice to respond from a centered place to the demands of life. It is useful to be able to switch between a state of expansion and contraction but in the long run, prolonged contraction will create chronic tension and eventually pain. Tension is the opposite of sensation. When we are chronically tight, we stop feeling and we lose both the sensations of pain as well as pleasure.
The more we stay relaxed, the more we feel. The more we feel, the more we can return to the gracious state of balance, harmony and alignment. Now, let yourself rest into your body!