a squeeze & release savasana to release layers of tension

Feb 18

Here is a short practice to experiment with the feeling of releasing tension.

In this squeeze-and-release savasana, we’ll play with the oscillation of contraction and expansion, as we bring our attention to the support of the earth and the care of our breath. We’ll feel what it feels like to release tension and feel more relaxed.

Relaxation isn’t about what we do.

Relaxation is the attitude we bring or the relationship we have with the present moment. It’s the sense of being held as we hold a warm attention to the here and now—no matter what arises. We’re not trying to will the discomfort away or bypass anything. We’re meeting it with a relaxed, open attitude.

This is our practice.

When we become truly aware of our body through our practices, we begin to notice how we hold our tension.

We may begin to notice that there is a sense of deeper habitual tension. We may have even gotten used to living with these layers of tension, not attending to them regularly, or we even overriding or ignoring them.

First, it’s important to remember what tension is.

In my experience, muscle tension is different from muscle tightness.

Tightness is when we use a muscle—exercising, gardening, or moving heavy furniture, and it doesn’t return to resting length.

Tension usually involves a psychological or emotional component. We’re armoring up because we feel vulnerable in some way.

Maybe it’s because of the news, or what's happening in our families. It could be an acute situation—like a fire alarm rousing us awake at 3am.

Tension is the way our body responds to feeling provoked or overwhelmed. To feeling separate. Or to feeling unloved.

Tension is the way we store what we don’t want to feel, and the way we shield ourselves from what we may not want to be present with.

Tension is stress response finding a home in our body.

Muscle tightness responds to stretching; muscle tension responds to feeling safe.

With all of this in mind, how we practice, our approach to work, our pace throughout the day, our attitude, our movement style, the way we meet ourselves — this all matters.

We can use our practices to cultivate an attitude of kindness toward ourselves. To help us work with the support of the earth and the care of our breath. All of these things help us build awareness of our own presence, of the way we attend to ourselves.