Pressing Out: Release Fight-or-Flight Energy

Sometimes a stirred system needs movement rather than more stillness. This brief somatic practice uses steady pressure against a wall—or between the palms—to give mobilized energy somewhere safe and intentional to go. It ends by helping the body notice that the effort is complete and the readiness can begin to settle.

Transcript

A stirred body is a body with energy that has nowhere to go. This practice gives it somewhere. Sand facing a wall. About arm's length away. Place both palms flat against it. And slowly press. Not a shove. Just a steady building push. Like we're trying to move the wall one inch. Let your arms, Shoulders and legs join in. Pressing for a slow count of 10. Breathing as you push. And releasing completely. And letting your arms hang. Notice the warmth. The slight trembling. The settling. That's the charge moving through and out. And we'll repeat this two or three times. Just a steady building push. Like we're trying to move the wall. Only one inch. Remembering to breathe as we push. And if a wall isn't handy. Press your palms together. In front of your chest. The same way and remembering to release completely. And let your arms hang. And when you finish Stand quietly for a few breaths. And allow your body to register. That the effort is over. And that it got to do something. With all that readiness.