Why Movement?

Movement keeps us alive, functioning and releasing. Movement is life and life is movement. Even in stillness, there is breath, rhythm and subtle interactions of flowing life energy.

Movement is at the very core of our wellbeing. At a subconscious level, we have the moving rhythms of our breath, circulation of fluids, nutritional uptake and elimination, and the neurological communications between our body and brain providing continuous feedback.

On a more conscious level, we have our physical body actions - getting us up in the morning, stretching, activating and coordinating our muscles, supporting us to go about our daily activities. And on an intentionally conscious level, we have activities like sport, dance, swimming, yoga and breath work just to name a few, that individuals and communities have participated in across centuries.

Ancient cultures had a natural affinity with intentionally releasing and re-balancing, often using rhythmic drumming, chanting and dance to release stress and trauma and deepen social connection.

So why movement? 

Movement is essential for our survival. The actions of our moving body and muscles on a physical level stimulate lymph flow, just like a pump, pushing it through our system, keeping the flow moving, supporting our immune defense and the elimination of waste build up in our tissues. It also supports the circulation of blood, oxygenating our body and brain, and increases synovial fluid, lubricating joints to improve mobility and flexibility.

An active body strengthens our skeletal structure, regulates blood glucose, increases gut motility, supports nutritional transfer and in general provides a fluidity of movement for all that resides within our entire body, supporting comfort, ease and function. In essence, movement is essential to exist. 

For some of us though, getting our bodies active is not as easy as it sounds! We may have physical injury of the brain or body, a health condition, emotional weight, trauma or chronic fatigue. Physical and emotional pain can take its toll on our nervous system, perhaps a holding pattern of protective bracing, stagnancy, hypervigilance, overwhelm or exhaustion?!

A variety of life experiences and/or sensitivities can land us with these challenges. We are each unique and can find supportive ways to engage with movement, such as in the weightlessness of water, feeling vibrations of sound, Tai Chi classes or receiving bodywork sessions (Holistic Pulsing is my specialty!)

It’s not just physical benefits we stand to gain from movement. We can experience a reduction in stress and an increase in the release of ‘happy hormone’ neurotransmitters, lifting our mood and improving cognitive function and clarity. And when we move in connection with others, we can benefit from co-regulation - a matching of rhythm, heart rate and parasympathetic nervous systems.

As life ebbs and flows in cycles, ‘rhythm’ signals familiarity and safety for our nervous system. When feeling safe, the movement can gently allow our trapped energies to surface, organically releasing it through our actions, expressions, emotions and sounds. This process of ‘letting go’ releases physical tensions, significantly feeling like a weight has lifted!

In some situations our body will release this excess energy through trembling or shaking - a spontaneous movement response shared across species with the purpose to discharge the energetic impact of stress and shock, returning our system once again into regulated balance. When this natural cycle is interrupted, the excess energy becomes trapped in our physical tissues, awaiting safe timing for release.

By listening into our needs and finding enjoyable, safe movement for our body, however this looks, we can gently access a pathway to unlocking any energy tensions that have been stored. 

This leads me to the relevance of movement within therapeutic sessions, specifically Holistic Pulsing, the body-mind therapeutic sessions that I offer in my practice. Movement through bodywork invites a stronger ability to connect inwards, strengthening our somatic safety and body-mind connection, feeling what is present and meeting the energies that are ready to release or express.

Without force, our body knows how to unwind, release and find balance in the layers that are presenting. The rhythmic rocking of Holistic Pulsing communicates a safe connection directly to your nervous system, relaxing soft tissue, melting tensions and allowing for the natural flow of whatever is present to move through.

This body focused movement simultaneously calms the nervous system and enhances mindful awareness. Its interconnectedness offers our body, through rhythmic movement, the ability to process and release physically, any emotional, mental and energetic tensions.

The gentle rhythmic flow ripples out vibrational waves of connection, to all cells, all parts of yourself, all of body, mind and spirit, bringing light, awareness and fluidity to your current wellbeing. It has the ability to both activate and enliven stagnant areas and calm overstimulation.

I’m definitely biased toward this therapeutic bodywork that listens to our body's wisdom, giving it space as it re-balances, releases and flows through the power of movement. 

If you are interested in trying Holistic Pulsing yourself, contact me on the details found on my page. I look forward to helping you find your way to movement.