Thinking . . .

Now that my stretching classes are up and running, I’ve been reflecting a lot on what makes an effective stretching experience. My conclusion is that Time and Deliberateness (if that is a word) are the lynch-pins of good stretching.

Stretching is as much a mental exercise as it is physical. It’s as much about waiting and being patient as it is about DOING something. That makes for an interesting class, I think. Interesting in the sense that I have to remind myself not to freak out that there is a lot of still, quiet time. A lot of time in which people’s minds start racing, wondering why they’re there, wondering what they’re accomplishing. Anything? I suppose that is my job. To hold the space for that and call them back to sanity when the mind inevitably tries to sabotage the experience.

This is why teaching is essential to fully understanding what we practice, I think. It forces one to carefully consider every aspect of the endeavor.

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Isabel Spradlin: Isabel Spradlin is a Registered Nurse (RN), Licensed Massage Therapist (LMT), and abdominal adhesion specialist in Portland, OR. She specializes in educating people about manual treatment (massage) for abdominal pain and dysfunction, especially when it is adhesion related. Please see the "Programs" page to see her offerings.