I went to my delightful massage therapist earlier this week. She asked what she should focus on, and I complained about my lower back – not typically a problem for me. I explained that a few weeks earlier I felt like the usual tightness in my outer hips had reached up and grabbed hold of my lower back. For a few days, I had walked a little hunched over. I told her that I was feeling better now, but that we should probably work on it.
And she did. When she stepped next to my left side and put her hands on my hip, she immediately found the tight spot that I wasn’t aware I even had. I laughed and asked how she could do that so fast. “It’s amazing what people’s gifts are,” she said.
As the massage progressed she asked me several times, “How’s the pressure?” This week the pressure was right, but it didn’t feel good. Does that make sense? I knew that she was using the right pressure to open up resistant fascia and muscles to release their long-held tension. But the discomfort was very, very real. I did a lot of long, deep breathing to get through it.
My hips and lower back were perhaps just a reflection of the general discomfort in March. Between the Daylight Saving Time change, wild weather (it ranged from 16 to 60 degrees in less than 48 hours here in central Ohio), the threat of war, and an ongoing pandemic, we would all be justified to ask, “Will you ease up on the pressure a bit?”
That’s the bad news: There’s lots and lots of pressure. Is it the right pressure to spur change? I’m not sure, but we need to breathe through and find out on the other side. Change is never comfortable, my friends, but it can bring some relief on the other side.
The good news: I was sore the day after my massage, but with a little stretching, walking and restorative yoga I was able to move a little better than before the massage. I had the support of my massage therapist and some great practices as I moved through. Find your person and practices that can help you release that long-held tension so you can move forward, better than before.
The even better news: I am one of those people. I have several opportunities this week to support us through this seasonal transition. Restorative yoga classes including one that is a hybrid yoga event that includes yoga and a facial with my friends at TruGlam Salon and Spa if you’re in the Columbus, Ohio, area.
Yup. There are lots of people and practices to help you. Please join me. You control the pressure. 🙂
✅ Every Wednesday, Restorative Yoga Class, 7:30 a.m.CDT/8:30 a.m. EDT. Try your first class free.
✅ Sunday, March 20, Spring Cleaning Restorative Yoga with 2 options:
- Unlimited spots for my regular practice via Zoom from the comfort of your own home
- 4 tickets available for in-person yoga and a facial! 12-2 p.m. CDT/1-3 p.m. EDT. Register now.
✅ Sunday, March 20, Community Care Group Coaching to help you stay on track with your self-care practices and goals. 3rd Sunday of every month. 5:30-6:30 p.m. CDT/6:30 – 7:30 p.m. EDT
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