There are a number of meditation techniques. I have found that different approaches have felt right to me at various times. I am currently interested in working more with a metta, or loving-kindness, practice. This method is said to provide a number of benefits, from increasing compassion to reducing migraines.
Read MoreLike many people do, some time ago I suffered from back pain. I practiced yoga and had massages to manage the pain. I liked my massage therapist. She was very capable and a really nice person, too. After we had worked together for a while, she finally said that she was out of ideas about how to address my back pain. She asked the clinic owner to come in. The owner suggested that I consider structural integration. I was not familiar with this technique so she loaned me a book about it. I thought it sounded interesting. However, I was able to tolerate my condition and did not pursue getting a different style of work.
Read MoreDo you find yourself using the words always or never? Do you tend to categorize things as either/or extremes (wonderful or terrible, friend or foe)? Black-and-white thinking can arise when we are feeling stressed or it could be a habit we learned. We limit our creativity, however, if we think there is only one “right” solution or viewpoint.
Read MoreMany of us spend large numbers of our waking hours at work. How can we make sure that we stay healthy with good habits at work? Some building owners are making changes that help people feel better, like adding central staircases, plants, and new lighting.
Read MoreThe last three hours of the 10-session series are integration hours – the work of the previous sessions is wrapped up in a coherent way. Again, the framework below provides the general idea for each session – your session may be somewhat different based on your individual needs.
Read MoreIn my last post, I discussed the first three sessions in the ten sessions of structural integration. The next four sessions in the series are “core” sessions that consider a deeper level in the tissues. These sessions typically include work to differentiate muscle groups so that the groups can perform their own functions appropriately and also that we learn to avoid recruiting them when they are not needed.
Read MoreStructural Integration is a series of sessions that help you find ease of movement, improved physical performance, and less pain. I like how systematic and organized the process is (still an engineer at heart!). The series covers the body from head to toe, so all major areas are addressed. This also means that the origin of patterns or strains can usually be tracked down. Sometimes, where it hurts is not where the problem is located!
Read MoreClients sometimes ask me whether a particular technique “works.” Often, I have to say that there is limited science on massage and bodywork. On the other hand, there is anecdotal information that people find bodywork to be beneficial. I entered this field because Structural Integration helped me when conventional medicine and PT had not resolved my issues after an injury. Like me, many people are willing to invest time and money in bodywork because they feel better when they receive it.
Read MoreManual therapy such as Structural Integration can help release tension in your body’s tissues. Outside of your manual therapy sessions, you can be good to your body with stretching. Stretching can reduce pain and stress. Stretching can help improve flexibility, balance, and posture – which help us avoid falls or injuries.
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