I was told by the chiro to stretch my chest.
I find through observation of my environments that when we are asked to stretch or strengthen a specific muscle we tend to think about it in a robotic way.
Do exercise A, for a set duration and repeat daily.
Now I am not saying this is wrong, it just doesn’t suit me or my lifestyle.
I am someone who moves daily, and have a practice already formed. So when I hear stretch your pecs, I think of this in relation to the ways I already move.
So rather than do wall pec stretch A, I instead feel into the tightness that was pointed out to me I move and get curious about where exactly the tightness is limiting my range of motion or causing changes to otherwise healthy movement patterns.
I need to mention here that impact over intention is part of who I am, and built into my practice. So even if I was given information from a good place to help me, and the impact is causing me more grief… You won’t catch me telling myself but the intention was good so just keep doing it. Just the same as I wouldn’t try to tell someone I hurt that my intentions were good so you should get over it.
I also have spent enough time witnessing myself to notice that when I feel emotionally vulnerable I tighten my left shoulder, so the tight pecs are a symptom of my own emotional defense mechanisms.
I would like to point out that just because my emotional defenses cause me physical pain in my shoulder, doesn’t mean you should prescribe this to your own pain and tighteness. You are a different person with different life experiences.
If anything be inspired to notice more about who you are, and how you move. Then allow your body to tell you who you have been and how it has been impacted by who you were.
I want to finish by saying that it’s one thing to see things about ourselves and notice them, and its another thing entirely to work towards letting go of who we used to be even though that person we were at one point kept us safe and secure, that very same person could in the present moment be causing grief and pain.
Speak it out loud to a safe person.
Notice the tightness in the moment.
A deep breath to remember I am safe.
Then make the choice to close or open.
Honour your choice fully and completely.
Repeat daily.
Rest when needed.
Happy Tuesday everyone.
