Progressive Relaxation

 By guest author Logan Strain

One of my favorite techniques for relaxing and getting loose is called “progressive relaxation.”  It was developed by the psychiatrist Edmund Jacobson and first published in 1929 (which means it no doubt came in handy for many distraught stockbrokers.) It works for me because it breaks the relaxation process into tiny, digestible bits, and the overall experience is very refreshing. You have probably run into a variation of this technique if you have ever taken an acting class, guided meditation, or spent any time on a shrink's couch.  The reason it comes up so frequently is simple: it really works, even for the most tightly wound.

To start, just lean back in your chair, both feet on the floor, with you hands in your lap.  Feel the weight of your feet and consciously relax them, letting gravity pull them towards the floor.  With your feet loose and relaxed, sense your legs, feel their weight, and relax them.

Repeat this process with the thighs, stomach, back, chest, arms, shoulders, hands, neck, cheeks, tongue, and face.

Take it slow, spending ten to fifteen seconds on each body part.  After you are done, scan your body to make sure you are completely relaxed.  New breathe slowly and rhythmically, just relaxing there for a few minutes.

Some people prefer going from top to bottom, but starting from the feet always works best for me.

If you don’t feel completely Zen after trying this, don’t worry.  Relaxing, like everything else believe it or not, requires practice.  After a while of trying this out, you will be able to relax your body almost on command.  This is also a great technique to try if you have difficulty sleeping at night.  Focusing on your individual body parts will take your focus off of work, family, finances, or any other stresses that might be running through your mind.

This has been a relaxation post by guest author Logan Strain on Kick Back Life, a Marketing Strategies for Personal Trainers website