living

Relaxation can be many things: a well earned break from a busy schedule,
time out from familiar routines, five minutes to yourself or a fun time with
others. A relaxing atmosphere can include soft lighting, a warm bath, a
walk in the countryside, sitting by the sea .Wherever and whenever,
unless you establish a deep inner sense of calm awareness, the benefits
of relaxing activities will be short-lived.

Physiologically, our bodies are designed to relax after an ‘alarm’ response, returning the body to a natural state of calm awareness. If the ‘alarm’
response does not get resolved, the autonomic response is not triggered
and the ‘alarm’ state continues. We do not then return to our natural state
of calm awareness. Imagine the number of times our bodies have held
onto an ‘alarm’ response and the layers of tension this has built up over
time.

Relaxation methods aim to help bring the body and mind to a state of inner tranquillity. Beautifully Balanced Relaxation Therapies, Yoga and meditation are among the methods which can help you achieve a state of inner serenity.

 Relax, Release, Refresh, Revive!
Combining massage or reflexology with mind relaxation techniques is a powerful way to achieve deep relaxation and enables us to draw on our inner strength to deal effectively with situations, keeping stress and tension at bay.

Habits are hard to break - the body and mind will try to resist, which is why a combination of massage/reflexology and mind relaxation techniques works best as during the process:

• pain-relieving hormones, endorphins, are released
• the Body slows down - breathing is deeper, heart-rate is lowered etc
• the body’s natural ability to renew and repair itself at cellular level is stimulated

In a relaxed state we don’t feel overwhelmed by thoughts and feelings, we don’t feel pressurised by others or by situations and so we are able to have a positive effect on others too.

Make peace with your tension