tension Archives - Custom Calm

Keep it Simple, Sweetie…

Posted by Ellen Sichel on December 15, 2011

This phrase can change your life.

We are by nature complicated beings. This time of year we tend to over complicate our lives with plans and events. Many of us strive for the perfect experience and end of getting lost in the planning which adds stress and tension to our lives.

Rather than enjoying family and friends, we spin out of control and stress out so we can enjoy ourselves later. Later never comes because we are thinking about and planning the next event. Just writing about this is exhausting!

What can allow us to enjoy ourselves is to treat ourselves with kindness.

Take a breath, settle into your body, slow down and get centered. Just do what is in front of you, check in on how you feel and keep your focus on enjoying, rather than doing.

Less can often be more, so remind yourself of this one phrase: keep it simple, sweetie…

Tags: breathe, center, keep it simple, stress, tension

Posted in: A Calm Perspective

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5 Steps to a Breath You Can Count On

Posted by Ellen Sichel on September 26, 2011

Often we need something we can do quickly to bring ourselves back to the here and now. When we spin out of control agonizing or reacting over situations, we end up creating more tension to our bodies and minds. Our relationships are impacted and our day becomes difficult to enjoy.

Breath is the most effective way to quickly harness our minds so we can release stress and tension.

Try this:

Take and inhale and easy exhale
Soften your belly
Slowly inhale through your nose to a count of 4
Hold for a count of 4
Slowly exhale through your mouth to a count of 4

If you have the time, do four repetitions. If not, one time will definitely make an impact.

Let me know in the comments below how this worked for you. Did it help you get centered? If not, what do you think happened?

Tags: body, breath, calm, centered, counting breath, mind, moment, tension

Posted in: Technique of the Week

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1 Step to Compassion for Elder Parents

Posted by Ellen Sichel on August 15, 2011

Elders are often stuck in their way of thinking and communication can get quite frustrating. It is clear that no matter what is said, they are not going to change, but we try anyway bringing increased tension and frustration.

There is another way: Compassion

It is easy to practice when you are not so invested in the situation, but the challenge is to practice compassion with a parent who “pushes your buttons”.

It is challenging not to argue and judge when they are being stubborn or negative.

Try This:

Step back, take a breath and consciously change your focus to see beyond their behavior. Look at them as a human being with fears and struggles.

When you make this shift, your will be more calm and centered and can bring that state into the relationship with them, meeting them where they are at.

Give this a try next time you are with elders that are frustrating and let me know in the comments below how it went. If you could not make the shift, what do you think happened?

Tags: calm, centered, compassion, elder parents, frustrating commumication, tension

Posted in: Technique of the Week

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Yoga Therapy Relieves Jan’s Pain

Posted by Ellen Sichel on June 8, 2011

Jan ‘s Challenges

After serious health challenges, the medications that I had taken caused my muscles to be weak and my bones to be stiff. Before all of this happened to me, I considered myself to be physically fit. Now, I couldn't even touch my toes.

What Worked: A Note of Thanks

Just wanted you to know that the yoga therapy was such a help to me. My hip sort of had a click at the end of my walk before the therapy. After the therapy my husband and I did the same walk and no click — I felt like I had a spring in my step. I slept well that night and I am committed to stretching in the morning and evening after feeling so lousy before. Thanks for your help, I feel like a more energized kid !

Custom Calm yoga therapy is a one on one session specifically tailored to target and release specific tensions in the body. The process is non evasive and through the use of plush blankets you are able to relax into support as the practitioner assists you in supported yoga poses. The gentle approach produces powerful, lasting changes.

What you can learn from Jan’s Experience

There are many tools available to help with tension in the body. A less-is-more approach can have profound benefits and there is no effort involved. Jan was willing to try something new and the Custom Calm yoga therapy techniques were very effective.

Tags: energized, health challanges, pain releif, tension, weak muscles, yoga therapy

Posted in: This Stuff Works

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