Could it be magic?
Magic [n]: The use of means believed to have a supernatural power over natural forces.
Could “it” be magic? I can’t seem to get this question out of my head. You see, I have a new private student who is an avid golfer. She loves it and seems to be a bit competitive with her fellow golfers.
At our first session, I told her that stretching would improve her golf game.
She looked a me with skepticism, but said “well, if you think so, I hope so, I’ll give it a try.”
She has been stretching with me for 4 weeks now. Yesterday, she casually mentioned to me that she had her best golf game ever the day before.
I had to stop for a minute and take a deep breath. I almost couldn’t believe it!
In such a short time, she was able to unlock the “magic” of stretching in her body!
AMAZING.
I could see it in the way she walked and held herself longer and taller. I felt it in her energy. She felt better in her body and it showed in more ways than one.
I could not control the “cheerleader” in me. My inner cheerleader had to come out and congratulate her with a big herkie and a “way to go” cheer!!!!!
Even her approach to our stretch session was different yesterday. She was more open to stretches that were somewhat uncomfortable. She was more willing to stay with stretches and give them more time. She didn’t say this, but I could tell that she was now a true believer that stretching is and will continue to improve the quality of her life… and her golf game.
What she did say was really funny: “Let’s not tell anyone. Let’s keep stretching our secret. ” I don’t think she wants her fellow golfers to find out about her “magic” potion?
I couldn’t sleep last night thinking about how the simple act of stretching can truly change people’s lives.
The word “magical” kept coming to me in my thoughts. It does feel like magic to me when people start to see and feel the life-changing benefits of stretching and truly experience the fact that they don’t have to be stuck in their bodies. It is magical and it is profound!
You see…
» When we unlock and lengthen tight muscle tissue in our body, we move with more ease and have greater range of motion.
» When our bodies function higher, we feel better in them.
» When we feel better in them, it not only lifts our spirit, but we do more and move more with greater ease and less pain… rather than do less and move less with fear of pain.
I wonder…
Is stretching the “magic” potion we have been looking for?
Could it be that simple that we can improve the quality of our lives by simply lengthening the tight muscle tissue in our body?
I believe it is.
Let’s go back to the definition of magic: A supernatural power over natural forces.
The truth is that “natural forces” in our body decrease flexibility by 10% every decade.
So maybe the “supernatural power” to overcome the process is “stretching”?
Maybe “it” (stretching) is “magic”? It’s worth a try!
Stretch of the Day:
Chair Side Lean
This stretch lengthens and opens the lumbar spine as it lifts the torso up and out of the pelvis and relieves lower back stiffness and pain. It’s a great stretch to do if your daily routine requires a lot of sitting.
1. Seated in an armless chair, lean upper body to one side with arm over head and opposite hand holding onto leg of chair.
2. Keep head up and in alignment with spine.
3. Repeat side to side 5 times
These are a Few of My Favorite Things:
“Chillaxing Jazz Kollection Radio” on Pandora
I play this in every stretch class and private session I teach. It is so relaxing and uplifting at the same time. Give it a listen… you will love it!
Quote to Ponder:
“And as we let our light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same.”
— Marianne Williamson
