Take Your Stretches to the Next Level
Stretches are a big component of shiatsu and other modalities of healing bodywork. But are you making the most of your stretches? Let's explore some simple ways to take your stretching techniques to the next level.
In the following video Saul describes 3 ways to make your stretching techniques more effective:
Activating the parasympathetic response = GV/CV = body energy
Letting the stretch expand beyond the local area
Exposing and stretching a specific meridian
So if you ever wonder ‘How can I take my stretches to the next level?’ click the play button below:
Take These Tips into Your Practice
Next time you have a chance, find someone you can practice these ideas with and take some time to really explore them. First, choose a simple stretch. Notice the resistance in the receiver's body as you bring the stretch to its end range. This indicates that the sympathetic (or orthosympathetic) branch of the autonomic nervous system is evaluating the stimulation. This is the fight & flight response. It's wondering: Is it safe? Can I let go? Is this a good stretch or a straining stretch?
Stop there and wait at that point of resistance. Feel for release.... feel for softening. This indicates the parasympathetic branch (rest and regeneration) of the autonomic nervous system is becoming activated. When the parasympathetic response gets going, we also know Governing Vessel/Conception Vessel energy is flowing more as well (this is explained a little in the book Shiatsu/Shin Tai and in our online courses Governing Vessel I-V).
Now you can take things further and go deeper into the stretch as the body releases to take in the stimulation. Bring your attention to the effects in the body as the stretch moves beyond the local area to secondary and even tertiary reverberations. Energy is beginning to circulate through the meridian(s), muscles and tissues. The body will begin to distribute it to other areas.
If you work with meridians, you can also introduce this component to the stretch. Notice what meridian is exposed and focus on that as you hold the stretch. See if you can sense chi moving more freely as the body releases. You may want to also apply some pressure along the meridian as you hold the stretch, increasing the stimulation to flow of energy.
