Playing Possum: Acupuncture and Bodywork for Restoration and Balance

Possum Playing Possum

Have you ever wondered what a Possum and a Honey Badger have in common? They both “play dead”. This is not just a survival tactic, but also a way to restore and rejuvenate. In the world of Yoga, this concept is embodied in the “corpse pose”, a restorative pose that allows the body and mind to relax, regulate, and recharge.

The Power of Stillness

1) Setting the Stage

Start by setting a timer for 15 or 20 minutes. Find a warm and comfortable place on the floor and lay down. This is your time to disconnect from the world and connect with yourself.

2) Breathing and Relaxation

Once you are comfortable, take three deep breaths. With each breath, tense your entire body for a brief moment and then relax. That’s right-- everything. Begin scanning your body from top to bottom; head, face, neck, shoulders, arms, forearms, hands, chest, abdomen, and all the way down to the feet. Don’t forget to include the front and back of the body. Each time you exhale, consciously relax the areas of tightness.

3) Deepening the Relaxation

After these first three breaths, breathe normally and allow your body and mind to relax and melt further. This is where the magic happens. This is where your body begins to restore and rejuvenate.

4) Coming Back

Don’t move until the alarm sounds. When you get up, take a moment to note how you feel. What’s still tight? What’s more relaxed? How is your energy level?

5) Making it a Habit

Just 15-20 minutes is all you need to get a refreshing break that recharges you for the next round of picking up the kids, running to a dinner and a show, or working out.

Acupuncture and Bodywork: Tools for Restoration

In the same way that ‘playing possum’ helps to restore your body and mind, acupuncture and bodywork can also play a crucial role in maintaining balance and energy. These ancient practices have been used for centuries to treat a variety of ailments, from chronic pain to stress and anxiety. By integrating these practices into your daily routine, you can enhance your body’s natural ability to heal and restore itself.

Revolutionize Life: Mindfulness and Acupuncture Synergy

Stacked Stones Meditation on the Water

In today’s fast-paced world, it’s easy to get caught up in the hustle and bustle of everyday life. But what if there was a way to slow down, to truly be present in each moment? That’s where mindfulness and acupuncture come in.

What is Mindfulness?

Mindfulness is a form of meditation where you focus your mind on the present moment, acknowledging and accepting what you are feeling and thinking, and what is happening around you. It’s about being fully engaged in whatever you’re doing, not dwelling on the past or worrying about the future.

The Physical Benefits of Mindfulness

Practicing mindfulness has numerous benefits for both your mental and physical well-being. It can reduce stress, improve focus and memory, enhance emotional intelligence, and even boost satisfaction in relationships. Physically, it can help lower blood pressure, reduce chronic pain, improve sleep, balance the autonomic nervous system (relax/flight or fight responses) and alleviate gastrointestinal difficulties.

The Synergy of Mindfulness and Acupuncture

Acupuncture, a key component of traditional Chinese medicine, is often used in conjunction with mindfulness. When combined, these two practices can offer a holistic approach to health and wellness, addressing both the mind and the body.

Incorporating Mindfulness and Acupuncture into Your Daily Routine

Incorporating mindfulness and acupuncture into your daily routine doesn’t have to be complicated. Here are some simple techniques you can use to start practicing mindfulness today, and how acupuncture can enhance these practices.

Mindful Breathing and Acupuncture

One of the easiest ways to practice mindfulness is through mindful breathing. This involves focusing on your breath, noticing the sensation of the air entering and leaving your body. Acupuncture can enhance this practice by helping to open up your body’s energy channels, allowing for a deeper and more focused breathing practice.

Mindful Eating and Acupuncture

Mindful eating involves paying full attention to the experience of eating and drinking, both inside and outside the body. It involves noticing the colors, smells, flavors, and textures of your food, chewing slowly, and getting rid of distractions. Acupuncture can support this practice by helping to balance your body’s energy, balance the autonomic nervous system (relax/flight or fight response), improving digestion and enhancing your sensory awareness.

Conclusion

Incorporating mindfulness and acupuncture into your daily routine can have profound effects on your overall well-being. It’s a simple, yet powerful practice that can help you live a more balanced and fulfilling life. By the way, don’t worry about whether you are doing specifically “mindfulness” meditation. Zen meditation, or a particular yoga style of practice, just sit!

How to Improve Your Posture with Zen Bodytherapy

Introduction

Let’s cut to the chase. You’re here because you’re interested in a treatment that can help you get your body back to its best shape and function, as well as stave off the effects of stress and aging.

 Zen Bodytherapy, is a holistic approach to bodywork that incorporates the principles of Rolfing/Structural Integration, Feldenkrais, Trigger Point work from Raymond Nimmo, D.C., and other forms of manual techniques. Zen Bodytherapy is a manual treatment designed to heal and restore your body to its optimal form and function.

The Importance of Good Posture 

Good posture isn’t just about looking confident and poised. It’s a cornerstone of good health and well-being. The Importance of Good Posture Good posture does more than just make you look good. It aligns your spine properly, reducing back pain. It allows your organs to function optimally, improving digestion. It enhances circulation and oxygen intake, increasing your energy levels.

 And yes, it improves your physical appearance, boosting your self-confidence. On the flip side, poor posture can lead to chronic pain by putting unnecessary strain on your muscles and joints. It can cause fatigue by making your body work harder to keep itself upright. And it can negatively impact your mood and productivity by causing discomfort and pain.

What is Zen Bodytherapy?

 Zen Bodytherapy is a unique form of bodywork that originated from the work of Ida Rolf, who developed the technique of Rolfing/Structural Integration. Ida Rolf’s student, William “Dub” Leigh furthered evolved the work by adapting Feldkrais movements, as well as other manual techniques.

 But work goes beyond traditional massage techniques. It manipulates the body’s fascia, the connective tissue that surrounds muscles and organs, to bring about profound changes in the body and mind. Zen Bodytherapy helps to reverse the aging process by increasing flexibility, improving movement, and overall well-being.  

How Zen Bodytherapy Improves Posture

This method of bodywork involves a series of sessions where the therapist uses hands-on manipulation to stretch and reposition the fascia. This helps to realign the body and improve posture. The therapist, a certified practitioner, uses their knowledge of anatomy and movement to tailor the therapy to the individual’s needs.

 But this method isn’t a passive process. It requires the active participation of the client. You need to be aware of your body and its movements, and work with the therapist to make adjustments. This collaborative approach is what makes Zen Bodytherapy so effective in improving posture and promoting overall well-being. Zen Bodytherapy helps to heal pain, injury, trauma, and stress, both physical and emotional. Could this be the solution you’ve been looking for to alleviate chronic low back and neck pain, headaches, and low energy?

Don’t hesitate to get in touch if you want to schedule a session, or if you’re not in Seattle, WA and are looking for a certified Zen Bodytherapy Practitioner in your area, please contact me at david@davidengstrom.net.