Movement Matters Embodying your spine

I offer the wise words of David Whyte, from his essay -"Withdrawal":

“We withdraw not to disappear, but to find another ground from which to see; a solid ground from which to step, and from which to speak again, in a different way, a clear, rested, embodied voice we begin to remember again as our own.”

To get a better sense the curves of your spine and their relationships to each other.  Follow Amy Mathews in this guided audio tour through the curves of your spine.

Ninety-five percent of embodying something involves simply posing the question, 'How would this feel if I felt it?' 

Sometimes it will make sense, sometimes it won't, and the next day you ask the question, or a month later you ask the same question, and you say, 'Oh, this feels different.' 

Don't worry if you don't feel it. It'll arise; sometimes it takes years for things to make sense." 

Amy Mathews

Movement Tip

Try putting your torso in front of your head

Movement Matters Breathe in, Breathe out

"Just a single thought is capable of changing the breathing pattern."  

- Isle Middendorf

Breathwork benefits:

energy, vitality, clarity, focus, pain alleviation, resilience, presence, peace.

Here are a few techniques you can try:

Need an energy boost? Try

Box Breathing:

Also called the 4-4-4-4. This technique involves breathing in for a count of four, holding the breath for a count of four, breathing out for a count of four, and holding the breath again for a count of four. This can help to reduce stress and anxiety and improve focus and concentration.  

Feeling overwhelmed? Try

4-7-8 Breathing:

This technique involves breathing in for a count of four, holding the breath for a count of seven, and exhaling for a count of eight. This can help to promote relaxation and calmness and can be used as a sleep aid.

Getting worked up? Try

The 5-5 Breath: This coherent breathing is a controlled and conscious breathing practice that slows down our breathing to 4 seconds and then 5 seconds. This works to slow breathing from our natural tendency; which is to breathe at a rate of two or three seconds per minute.

Need to focus? Try

Alternate Nostril Breathing: This technique involves closing one nostril and breathing in through the other, then switching and breathing out through the other nostril. This can help to balance the nervous system and improve overall well-being.