Back Pain, and Stress-it IS in your head.

​WARNING: While I always try to inspire, this is a post that keeps it real.
 
Last year around this time, I was in the mist of some serious internal struggle.  My role as Mommy was changing. You see, my twin daughters where graduating from High School.    While I never thought of myself as a helicopter Mom, I guess I was dead wrong.   I was flooded with how fast it all happened.  I was hoping I had done all the right things, and truth be told I was wanting to hold on a little bit longer.  
 
I was single handedly running Unbound at the time, and still had to be up.  I had to “get it done” Can you relate? Inside you are feeling some type of way, but outside you have it all together.  
 
But the stress and tension that I was holding onto, was steadily settling into my body.  My neck and back had serious knots, and my stomach was always sick.  I pushed through.  Is that not what we do? 
More Life piled on even more with the unexpected death of my Dad. We had unresolved issues; and the upset once again made its home into my body.  I was in pain daily. I had so much STUFF I was not dealing with.  It was all so intertwined; family, upset, loss, resistance to change. 
What did I do?
I had to start practicing what I preach. I share this for two reasons:

1. We ALL struggle. Hear that…EVERYONE HAS A STRUGGLE. No one has it all figured out. I was showing up with a smile on my face, and at night crying in my pillow. DO NOT THINK everyone else has it figured out. If you are in that place right now…. I am here for you. Seriously, reach out via a private message.
2. I know that without a doubt Yoga + Pilates healed me. Period.

 
How did I do it? First of all, I had to get still. I was not being present.   Once I got still, a lot of stuff was coming up around loss.  I had to breathe into that, and I had to let it go.
(My life had changed whether I was down or not).
 
Once I was still, I had to breathe.  I mean REALLLLY BREATHE.  Deep breaths, rib moving breathes while being still.  This was grounding.  
Try it:

1. Lie on your back and get as relaxed as possible.
2. Start to notice your breath, moving in and out of your body.
3. Begin taking bigger deeper breathes. Feel it from your low belly into the upper parts of your chest.
4. I like to place one hand on my belly and one on my upper chest.
5. Do 10 cycles of breath and see how you feel.

 
Finally, I had to move my spine. CONSISTENTLY. Like every day.
         Flexion
         Twists
         Extension
         Side Bends
​This week I am showing you how on Facebook I am showing you how.  Check it out!
Listen, life is going to happen and there is such a relationship between the mind and the body.  So, while you may thing you are “stuffing it down”.  It will show up.  You must handle it. This process took time.  My work began in September, and I just realized recently, wow I’m doing better. I’m not so stressed.
 
 Remember be kind to yourself, you are so deserving.
 With Love,
​Courtney