The Power in Relaxation

One of the concepts we work with in Nia is that of Dynamic Ease, which is basically defined as the ability to move without effort. It is the sensation we experience any time we learn a new skill. Think about when you first learned to type, ride a bike, skate and so on. At first the body feels awkward and uncoordinated, movements feel choppy and disconnected. Attention is focused and often any distraction breaks concentration. After we practice this skill we are so determined to master, magic happens! We type with flow, we ride a bike with ease, skates seem to glide by their own force. What is even more incredible is now we can do these skills and multitask! Think of all the things you can now do along side of typing. This is the sensation of Dynamic Ease - the movement just happens. We are in a state of relaxation.

Recently there has been incredible weather up North with snow that would never seem to end and then suddenly shifts to above zero and raining. This has caused many of our streets to turn into skating rinks. I was out walking my dog yesterday and thinking about Dynamic Ease as I tread across the ice. If we separate the two sensations, Dynamic is the action of infusing what you do with energy, the sensation of muscles hugging against the bone. Ease is the sensation of relaxation. That doesn't mean we turn to mush! Consider riding that bike....very dynamic movement but the essence of relaxation- the magic of synergy. As I walked across the ice, I noticed how relaxed my body felt and how comfortable my body seemed to move across the ice. I walked at a normal pace without fear of falling but knowing my body was ready to spring to action if need be. I switched into the average "ice walking mode" with a tense body, tiny shuffle steps as if walking with the intention to keep myself erect. Amazingly enough, I felt more unstable in this walking mode and saw how this was defeating its own intent. If my muscles are already tense, contracted and ready to "fall" what is left to do when my footing does slip? Chances are probably falling. My body has no way to react anymore to keep me standing. My body was "falling" long before I ever hit the ground. When walking with a sense of ease and relaxation, I felt the power of this sensation knowing that should I slip, my body is ready to engage and do what it needs to do to hopefully keep me standing.

I encourage you to experiment with this the next time you are out walking. If you are fortunate to live somewhere where there is no ice, then play with the sensation during any activity. Tense your upper body and type and then relax and notice how the sensation changes. Which is easier? Does it restrict your ability to perform the task?

Feel free to share your findings with me. I would love to hear about it.

Sense the power of relaxation....

Lisa