Need something quick and easy to do so that you can just relax a little? And maybe you also need something that you can do in the car or where your computer is not available (or perhaps 'not wanted' for that matter!)? Well, here are 3 easy exercises that you can do on your own (or with a friend, if that helps) to enable you the ability to let go of some of the stress weighing you down. Rule #1: these exercises only work if you give them a chance! Rule #2: each of these exercises can be done lying down with your eyes closed in a dark room, or wide awake in your car driving. They'll have some effect even in the most active of your states.
1. Good Air, Bad Air. One of the harmful effects stress has on us is that it virtually fills us with toxic elements (essentially the residue of our 'fight or flight' system going for too long). This exercise will help you rid yourself of that toxicity.
First of all, take in a deep breath, imagining that the air you're inhaling is clean, pure air - the best you could ever find. Let this pristine air fill your whole body, from your feet to your head, and imagine it cleaning out your body's cells. Hold it in for a few seconds to let it do it's cleaning, and then slowly exhale. While you're exhaling, imagine that the air you're releasing is all the dirty, toxic air that the 'good' air has cleaned out from your cells. Repeat two more times.
2. Squeeze and Release. We hold a lot of tension in our muscles when we're stressed. Much of this tension we're not even aware of, which is why this exercise is so good. Think of it almost as a self-massage - something to tide you over until you can get the real thing!
Imagine squeezing all of the muscles in your left foot, and hold this for a few seconds. Then slowly release the squeeze, imagining that all the tension you've just created is being released. Do this for your right foot as well, and then slowly work your way up your body, squeezing and releasing your calf muscles, your thighs, glutes, back, abdominal muscles, chest, shoulders, neck and even your scalp. Then, if you're so inclined, work your way back down to your feet. Be careful not to over-squeeze!
3. Energy Cycling. In Traditional Chinese Medicine, it's believed that your energy runs down your front and up your back. Of course energy runs to and from your arms and legs aswell, but for the purposes of this exercise let's just focus on your torso and head.
Do your best to imagine a warm energy traveling from the top of your head, down your face, and then down the midline of the front of your torso. The energy should feel comfortable, possibly warm and gentle, passing through you without effort. Don't worry if you only feel it in certain parts of your body - this is normal and may change with practice. As the energy reaches your perineum (the space between your genitals and anus), gently give the muscles here a gentle squeeze, and then imagine the energy shooting up your spine to the top of your head. Repeat this cycle ten times if possible, ensuring that the energy is comfortable and easy down your front, and fast and energetic up your spine.
By Richard Lobbenberg, Acupuncturist and TCM Practitioner
