Whole Body Unwinding
Bodies distorted by both physical and/or emotional stress and trauma abound in symptoms such as uneven shoulders, misaligned hips, stiff necks and backs, tense jaws, and shallow breathing from tight chests. The emotional charge as well as the physical pain of an adverse event can be retained in the physical body. It is important to pick therapies and self-help techniques that can address both of these issues. Whole Body Unwinding is a method of physical and sometimes emotional release that can be taught and then practiced by the student at home or in a group or private Whole Body Unwinding session.
Unwinding is a form of myofascial release. The fascial layers that release tension during unwinding practices are the same layers that keep us together in recognizable form. Fascia is a tough, elastic connective tissue made from collagen and elastin. It provides tension and compression around tissues to keep those tissues from simply sagging to the floor. If you took away everything that is not connective tissue from your body people would still recognize you as you. This fascial net serves as a protective barrier from the outside world and transmits immediate feedback to your brain about your surroundings.
Fascia, providing us with structure and ease with mobility also causes dis-ease with mobility after years of misuse and/or injury. After trauma or injury it can shrink and harden around and within your body limiting your range of motion or causing pain because your support structure has been altered. Pain that you hold in one area, such as your shoulder or neck may be caused by old injuries in another part of your body.
Once injured your body compensates. To allow healing, other muscles take over the job of the injured muscles. These patterns may be beneficial at the time but if not taken care of they often hold the stress and pain in your fascial layers. The fascia is shortened or elongated where once it was in a neutral position and after years of compensation you now have chronic pain with seemingly no cause or relief. Slowly stretching the fascia will alter the collagen and soften the viscosity causing greater ease in movement and less pain in your daily existence.
This release is accomplished without the use of drugs during Whole Body Unwinding. Students learn how to gently untwist fascia during an active guided meditation session. These students experience how the body often spontaneously unwinds and suggests the ways it wants to release tension and return to its natural state. Since unwinding the fascia also releases memories of past emotional trauma, the student often experiences relief that leads to emotional as well as physical healing.
Those who have experienced the trauma of an auto accident can appreciate the fear, frustration, or other emotions that occur during and after the accident. When not treated, this can sometimes result in a fear of driving. Spouses of car accident victims sometimes notice their partner becoming a "side car driver" giving directions and warning of possible dangers. Clearing the victim of the emotional and physical issues stored in the fascia layers usually returns that person to a calm and relaxed rider. The process is the same with other physical traumas associated with emotional pain.
A person wishing to learn to release tension with Whole Body Unwinding should attend a class. Students should be able to get down on the floor and get back up again. It is possible to learn some of the techniques while seated in a chair for those who are not able to get up from the floor. Comfortable loose clothing should be worn. Rugs and pillows are provided for use during class but some students prefer to bring exercise mats and blankets.
After a session of Whole Body Unwinding it is important to honor any emotions that you are experiencing. Drink plenty of water, take a nap, journal your thoughts or even seek the services of a counselor if needed. What ever method you choose it is important to give yourself a chance to process and completely release these stuck pains and emotions.