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Beautiful People Healthy Activities

Tension Release Exercises (TRE)

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Thanks to a beautiful soul of a friend, checked out TRE taught by Nkem Ndefo, certified TRE trainer from LA. Having had another yoga friend talk about a yoga instructor who incorporates this technique into her yoga teaching, I found this workshop to be very interesting. I have a tendency to compare all forms of exercise to yoga and so here I was analyzing each exercise vis-a-vis yoga… yet again – prisoner of my own habits lol…

All the exercise presented,  were in my mind, essentially series of extracted yogic poses; and the breathing technique was, to me,  very familiar as one of many pranayama techniques available in yoga traditions.  I am always amazed by the wisdom passed down from our fore-bearers…here presented as modern medicine breakthrough. For those needing modern medicine evidence based theory to be convinced, this is developed by a doctor with yes, MD behind his name – so … there’s that validation if not for your own experience in this experiment.

I can see how TRE appeals to many for it’s very Western presentation.  The very practically minded is easily sold on the idea as this method gets the job done fast for PTDS and to lesser degree any level of stress/tension.

1.  again, it’s practical and efficient;

2. appears to be an Effective fix;

3.  Easy and simple;  anyone can do it.

4.  Medical not spiritual; not Eastern and foreign or exotic.

5.  No stories nor tales; just gets the job done without the personal narrative or profound transformation – none required.

There’s no poetry, mystery/mysticism or alchemy … no emotions nor artistry… Rather, just like going to the hospital for a procedure, as a medical self-care exercise, it appears to be effective do at home or any place (BR at workplace was mentioned) technique.  To me, if there’s relief to the suffering, it’s all good. That’s what matters – to put an end to suffering and misery of any kind. Brings back the joy in life.

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Releasing the jaw?  Yes, that’s Lion’s pose:)  None of the emotional, mindful or spiritual stuff or the abstracts to distract you if you want just very no-non-sense way of releasing tension.  We are lucky but some just can’t afford the more gradual healing process… Very straight forward, efficient, simple and accessible.  While the verdict is still out, most important to many, you get the relief you need in a jiffy like a car getting a tuneup.  It’s all about the body and our nervous system… Very Western and perfect for someone looking for a relatively simple and efficient self-care method. Nkem is knowledgeable and a lovely teacher – her background as a RN and Midwife gives her the great range of experience to bring this technique to so many people in need. I was thrilled to get to experience the tremors that I had been so curious about … human body is truly something to marvel at!  To some who have been repressing so much tension and holds that’s gotten into tight knots, the release is uncontrollable – and because of it, some break into giggles and laughs… and let me tell you, nothing is more of a release than laughter:)  Anything pent up will release with laughter… so that’s why I try to find comedy in any situation.

Personally, I cannot do TRE alone for there’s so much joy to be had from yoga practice  – I just love wisdom that’s been passed down from the ancient times and I love the beauty of it…and I am especially in love with its poetry ( just the naming of the poses is a poetry in motion –  “from child’s pose into a puppy pose then into down dog, up dog, Chaturanga Dandasana into cobra… I mean it’s like a fun game – a rhythm of incarnations – okay, I admit sometimes it’s not quite poetic when I lack strength and fall in my face 🙁 To me, incorporated into a yoga practice, TRE would be the perfect prescription for addressing stubborn tension and stress in our bodies while allowing our mind to come to that still-point through yoga’s meditative practice.  With a little artistry and creativity, TRE’s “science” based method, interwoven into the “art” and “spiritual” aspect of yoga.. that would be the melding of the best of two worlds.  Kind of like carefully folding the foamy meringue (another technique)  into creamy nectar-like batter base (yoga:)  to make the best “angel” cake! “Bundt” to feel so light:)

I respect any form of healing modalities that give people relief – to cite some examples: Reiki; Accupuncture; Hypnotherapy; Harmonic Resonance Therapy; Accupressure; Hoʻoponopono; Somatic; Ayurvedic medicine … & the list goes on  …We have so many tools available to us but yoga… to me is all encompassing and powerful especially combined with any of the alternatives (& did you notice?  Thanks to Mari-sensei, Aromatherapy is my love:)

We can liberate ourselves from the struggles and suffering – in body, mind and spirit.  I embrace all those in the healing profession.  Thank you for a very educational workshop Nkem!  Highly recommended:)

Should you be in LA and interested in TRE from a qualified teacher, contact

Nkem Ndefo, RN, CNM

Level 2 TRE Practioner

nkem@trelosangles.com

 

Categories
Healthy Activities Yoga

Tomorrow at 7:40am – Circle the calendar…

Bay Club, Redwood Shores – as I sub for another lovely soul, Myra.  All around me signs of spring.  Spring is here.  Cherry blossoms are blooming and wisteria too;  gardens awash with pinks and lavender … pastels and light abound … beautiful .. and my eyes are tearing and my voice is hoarse and scratched – BUT, hope with some neti pot, I will be healed by tomorrow AM.  At least, it’s not a cold; just an allergy.

I know at least 3 who are down with a cold and fever and suffering at home while the weather is sunny with blue skies outside.  The change of season from winter to spring is a time of transition and all of us are adjusting.  While you are feeling antsy as with onset of spring fever and thoughts of summer – then thoughts of weight loss and exercising like crazy to achieve that “image” –  All good if not excessive and paying heed to your body’s signals.  Eating right first and foremost and Rest is the key… Hope to address that tomorrow AM with a practice to boost your immunity.  I need to rest…  As Judith would say “Changing the world, one Savasana at a time.”  Luckily I learned from her … ahhh. Stress?  What stress? (did someone call me on my practice of “denial”? lol)

Categories
Healthy Activities Healthy Living Yoga

Work, Play and … Rest

We are so accustomed to stress that stress is just a part of our everyday life.  In fact, for many of us, it’s unthinkable to be stress-free.  We may even be brainwashed in thinking that, if we are not highly or chronically stressed, then there’s something amiss and that we are not doing enough. We may even interpret being stress-free as being a lazy under-achiever… somehow inadequate.  Being stressed is wrongly defined as being productive. Or some people are very stressed and overwhelmed but they will not know it as such state of high alert and pressure.  To them, that’s the norm. And some take pride to say that they relish stress as though it’s a mark of true success and courage… a purple heart in this daily grind called … life.  Stress may be something they dismiss or for some, they may be in a state of total denial.

Ask one of those people who appear to be  carrying a huge load and you ask them, How are you?  They reply – oh, fine. Oh, it’s nothing. Oh, it’s a breeze.  It’s absolutely NO problem what-so-evvverrrr, Really!  What? Is it your pride and ego responding? What’s wrong with acceptance and admission that this load is an overload?   And that you are over-extended and over-taxed perhaps. Do those people go on muttering some mantra that goes, stress is good; it allows me to get things done.. repeat over and over, stress is good for me, stress is good for me… it makes me more productive… stress is needed…Really?  There’s nothing wrong with our coping skills if we admit things are not looking all that perfect as we juggle.  Also, know that getting help is not an admission of defeat AND you are still needed and loved if you are not doing all those things that garner admiration and awe and comments such as – “I don’t know how he/she does it? ”  To admit that maybe it’s okay to not do so much – That reality does not make you a loser.  No, not at all.  You are just human not super-human. You are of great value and service without having to do so much.  Just being, instead of constantly doing… is … okay.  Judith brings that message to all egocentric over-achievers that the world is not going to come apart or to an end if you “relax and renew”; in fact, it may become a better place.

If we do not manage this stress level  properly, then the body’s defenses break down, making us vulnerable to illness. And that’s just the physical toll we are referring to, not even touching on the emotional toll it might take –  It’s been said that up to 80% of ailments are attributed to stress.  Restorative yoga induces a state of deep relaxation and tranquility… The alpha… some even theta and delta state of relaxation is generated which leads to a special consciousness at which natural healing can take place…  Who wouldn’t want to feel refreshed and restored with a pure sense of well-being and inner harmony.

It’s hard to fully relax if various parts of your body is bothering you – whether it be aches and pains or tension and kinks… or… that dull blocked up stuck feeling, that hard to explain feeling of fatigue…so that’s why the help from our little friends for support (read “props”:) plus some … magic…at rescue:)

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If it’s something you LOVE.  If it’s your passion that you are DOING, then, it’s not stressful. It’s JOY.  Doing = Being when it’s your passion, isn’t it?  No sleep, no food… even then to me, it’s okay…that’s not stress.  You are doing what you love to do and that allows you to be present.