Helping you live in mid-life without a crisis
Get post updates - RSS
Are you getting shorter?
A man once said that at the end of each work day, he would get into his car and have to adjust his rear view mirror. Why? Because he had gotten shorter. Really! Over the course of the day, he would slump over more and more from the stress and burdens of his work. So he had to adjust the mirror.
Each morning, he had to do the same thing as he set off to work, but the adjustment was for him being taller, more erect. During the night, he relaxed and his body straightened. He was in a vicious cycle. And over time the wear and tear would take its toll.
Our bodies tell the whole story of what is happening in our lives. You might be able to cover up the unease and Disquiet in your life, but others will notice something different about you. Maybe the way you hold yourself or how you sit.
You undoubtedly know how stress makes us sick. The heart-mind-body connection is now well documented and accepted in traditional medicine.
But our bodies also reflect to the world what is really happening inside.  When I see a new client for help with his Disquiet, I watch carefully how he moves and how he holds his body. It tells me as much as what he saying and how he is saying it.
As we start to work together, we are sure to include body practices. I will either design specific practices or recommend classes. Yoga, Pilates, Tai Chi and Qigong are great modalities. For example, there is a routine called the Eight Pieces Brocade that can be very helpful. I have been using Rolfing for myself for 2 years now. It has been a central part of my personal practice. Another key piece for me is my Tai Chi practice.
As a client learns to work with his Disquiet, including through body-centered practices, he will notice feeling and moving better. As his body responds, his mind quiets and the stress lessens. Clarity follows. And that further heals his body. One system helping another.
Are you having to adjust your rear view mirror at the end of the day? Are there other tell-tale signs of stress and distress in your body?
Popularity: 2% [?]
Email This Post to a Friend or Save as a Bookmark
Tags: The Disquiet, working with the Disquiet, body practices, eight pieces brocade, heart mind body connection, pilates, qigong, rolfing, signs of stress, tai chi
May 22nd, 2007 at 10:21 am
I had to laugh at this post, Dave, because when I first saw the title I connected to my last doctor’s visit where I learned I am now an inch shorter.
Now that was aging, I’m sure.
I had never thought about the fact that stress could do that to our body in the course of a day. Hmmm… it has my dendrites ticking…
May 24th, 2007 at 6:58 am
It is a shocker - and not just shorter - ever notice how slumped and curved the shoulders get at the end of the day. I never realized it until I took yoga.
June 5th, 2007 at 9:03 pm
Hi Dave,
Thanks for the link to my article on baduanjin! I’ve been doing it for a while now (about 10 years) and can honestly say it really does help a person live through mid-life without a crisis.
June 6th, 2007 at 6:32 am
Michelle - most welcome. 10 years - what an amazing practice! I can see why it would be a major assist. Thanks!