Breath Upper Left

Recover + Restore event recap!⁣
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We had the best weekend wind down last Sunday evening. With the doors to wide open, canyon breeze floating in, and the sound of light rain coming down…it was the perfect set up for some deep relaxation.⁣
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When I do these roll-out sessions in a group setting I’m always reminded how the down-regulating effects are magnified. We see, hear, and feel from multiple data points around us that it’s safe to relax. The group sigh of relief is the new group hug ❤️⁣
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Thanks to everyone who came out in the rain & welcomed this workshop to Thomas! Hoping to do another one again soon.

Self-massage you actually like to do!⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣
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Self-massage has always been one of those things that I know I *should* do more of. When I foam roll or use massage balls on my achy muscles, my body always feels SO good afterwards. My perpetually tight calves and quads are especially happy. ⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣
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My runs the next day feel easier and lighter, my flexibility returns, I sleep better, and my knees don’t create sound effects in the stairwell anymore…⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣
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In addition to the positive feedback my rolled-out body gives me, self-massage has a long list of proven benefits:⁣⁣
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☁️ Relieves muscle soreness and stiffness⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣
☁️ Sends signals of relaxation to the nervous system⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣
☁️ Stimulates the flush of lactic acid and other toxins⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣
☁️ Improves overall mobility and enhances range of motion⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣
☁️ Improved circulation (warm hands and feet)⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣
☁️ Lymphatic drainage, which leads to healthy, glowing skin⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣
☁️ Better sleep⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣
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If you’re hesitant or resistant of myofascial release, thinking the feel-good effects are only the sweet reward at the end, I have a short guide up on Substack on how to breathe into more enjoyment in the process.⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣
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Punishment is out. Pleasure is in. 🧖‍♀️⁣⁣
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If you’re in the Tucker County area, you can learn in-person next Sunday July 31 at 6pm. Restore + Release is a workshop at McClumsy’s cheery new space. Just go to Breath Upper Left events.

Self-massage you actually want to do More "ahhhh", less "ouch!"

There is a profound shift that can happen inside when we start to feel on purpose.⁣⁣
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When we breathe consciously, we give the mind something to focus on outside of familiar thought loops. We can shift out of the high-paced autopilot state of our modern lives and give our body the chance to really relax. ⁣⁣
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When we slow down and pay attention to what’s going on inside us by noticing the breath, often we’ll come in contact with layers of stress and uncomfortable feelings that we haven’t been able to deal with.⁣⁣
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For those of us who have experienced trauma or have a hard time relating to our bodies, entering the body can bring up physical pain and trigger difficult memories connected to grief, loss, abandonment, and fear.⁣⁣
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No feelings are wrong or bad. They only want to be acknowledged and felt. 🤲🏼⁣⁣
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With conscious breathing, we can actively engage with the not-so-friendly parts of ourselves because we create a container big enough to hold it all. It can feel like zooming out and having the ability to see your life from multiple different perspectives. This newfound clarity allows you to create separation between you and what happened to you. ⁣⁣
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And that’s the space where new possibilities come into bloom. 🌸⁣⁣
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Join for online group breathwork next Wednesday under the Cancer full moon. Register at the link on my page 🌝