OUR FIRST TERM HAS COME AND GONE and we are now knuckling down to the second half of the Body Stress Release course in earnest.
I thoroughly enjoyed going home for the 10-day break between 24th June – 4th of July. I felt quite a pang when I saw Andrew and Brandon waiting for me with a bunch of red roses when I walked through the doors at Domestic Arrivals! I never realised that even the smell of fabric softener could represent Home! Especially accompanied by big hugs!!
Despite noticing how brown and dry and smog-filled JHB was at this time of the year, I couldn’t help but FEEL the tremendous World Cup energy that exuded from simply everywhere – from flags flanking the highways to and from O R Tambo international Airport, to vehicles, corporate buildings and even residential homes, all adorned with splashes of vibrant colour! I soon realised that whether you were a soccer fan or not, you couldn’t help but get caught up in the spirit of things!
It was heart-warming to meet up with special friends who came to visit me. We spent a day with Dad on the farm just outside Greylingstad, I visited with my mother and spent quality time with my sister and her family.
I couldn’t help but notice that gone was the frantic desire to rush out and accomplish things which had become my way of life when I was wrapped up in the corporate world. Spending time in the serene environment of the Wilderness has also taught me to savour the present moment.
It was quite an emotional moment when it came to Andrew and I saying our farewells at the airport … it also made me deeply appreciate the unfailing support and understanding that my husband has given me with my need to pursue this dream. I was met by a hearty and warm welcome when I arrived back at George airport from Hennie and Ivonne, two of the female students from Holland, and it didn’t take long for me to get back into the swing of things. One of the total highlights of their break was having a true African experience with the cheetahs at a guest farm outside Oudtshoorn.
Many of the BSR students returned home to their own countries for the break. Others invited their families to come and spend time with them in SA. Baby Juriaan born to Carolien and Marc arrived a day earlier than expected at George Hospital – how apt – as another meaning for Juriaan is George!
I think the time away has also made me realise how precious and brief this time in the beautiful Garden Route is. I am consciously trying to go for a walk every morning before class, and to enjoy our beautiful surroundings to the very full – two whales were spotted frolicking just off the Wilderness beach this week!
We all quickly fell back into the normal routine. This first week we covered the heart in Anatomy (a test I excelled in), started our first impromptu case enactments with Ewald taking on the role of client! We are also starting to cover the upper zone, which is of particular interest to me as I have suffered from chronic headaches stemming from the neck for over 20 years …
We have come to realise that our bodies are subjected to various types of stress every day. It may be mechanical/physical stress (falls, accidents, heavy lifting and incorrect posture), chemical stress may occur in the form of air pollutants, additives and colourants in food and harmful chemicals in cosmetics. We also all experience mental/emotional stress.
When these stresses reach overload level, the body is unable to adapt to them, and tension becomes stored in our physical structures. This may cause pain, stiffness, numbness or postural distortions. The compression of the nerves disturbs the body’s communication system and undermines its healthy functioning.
With Body Stress Release, the BSR practitioner performs a series of pressure tests on the fully-clothed person, and the muscular responses indicate the exact sites of stored stress. The practitioner then applies a light but definite pressure in the precise directions indicated.
What interests me is that this allows the body to restore muscle tone and return to its in-built ability to heal and maintain itself and cope successfully with the stresses of life. It isn’t something we have to live with.
As students we are being equipped to relieve compression in the lower spine, which can often have referred pain in the neck, shoulders, neck, knees, etc, etc. This can also bring relief from incontinence, bladder infections, headaches, indigestion, heartburn, “growing pains” in children, hay fever, asthma, to name only a few.
My own personal relief has been not having to resort to painkillers as often as I used to, as the chronic headaches I have suffered from for so many years, have started lessening. We have also come to realise that painkillers can slow down the healing process, and should only be taken in dire circumstances. As BSR students we are currently giving and receiving 2 releases a week under supervision.
We are learning about how vital it is to ‘preserve the natural curve’ of our spine, to sit correctly, pick up heavy objects in a certain way, stand correctly and all in all honour our bodies for the wonderful bio-mechanical structures that they are. We are also encouraged to do daily tummy exercises which tone and strengthen the muscles which support the spine. By doing this we take responsibility for our own bodies.
When the body is subjected to stresses or conditions to which it is unable to adapt, then the stress becomes stored as tension in the body. This locked-in stress disturbs the life energy flow patterns, and this disrupts normal body functioning; thus, the body enters into a condition of degeneration.
With all my newfound knowledge, I cannot help but notice when I am in public places, people resorting to habitual incorrect posture, hunching their shoulders, or so clearly experiencing discomfort or pain. BSR can also be of benefit to pregnant women, making for an easier birth process and also for offering relief to babies with colic! BSR overall affords a better quality of life!
The 11th of July will forever hold a special memory for me. This evening, I joined all the Dutchies on course with me at the local pizzeria in the Wilderness to view the World Cup 2010 final. Although Holland was defeated, it was a fun-filled and incredibly vibrant evening, and certainly one I will always remember! (See attached pic).
Thank you for your interest in my BSR journey.