Resiliency

Resiliency

Last week, we continued exploring the hamstrings. In that blog there was mention of the fascia, the glove-like connective tissue that interweaves and encases the tissues and structures of the body. This led me to a meandering train of thought about autumn and its reminder that the only constant is change. I see a connection between fascia and this dance of fall bringing on its winds of change.

When the fascia is tight the body cannot adapt, move and change as needed. It is like wearing shoes that are too tight. Everything in the body becomes restricted. Just as a tree that does not sway in the wind will break, a rigid body is prone to break down. But the opposite presents problems too: when there is no tone, when things are too loose, there is a lack of integrity in the system, which can lead to dissipation of energy, fatigue and injury.

This brought to mind one of my favorite words these days – resiliency. Resiliency is the “ability to spring back from and adapt to adversity,” whether that adversity is due to physical or psychological stressors. Resiliency brings to mind energy that is not too tight and not too loose but, as Goldilocks would say, “is just right.” Resiliency is a play of balancing opposites, of equanimity.

What are some ways to create resilience? Working with the fascia is a good one. Doing things that are nourishing to your being/Being is another. I love to play with balance poses in the fall as they remind me that balance is not a static thing, that it is constantly changing and that every time I find a new point of balance for that moment, I am creating resilience.

What creates resilience for you? What nourishes you? Respond and we can start a dialog; I would love to learn from you.