DTselfhelp

Going about our daily activities we are frequentlly facing conditions when our motion seems restricted by pain or discomfort (PoD) or by apprehending their occurrence. When we leave the lying down position and/or we start to move about we depend on tension to compensate for earth gravity and to direct our actions. This is likely to cause new hidden unusual tension to appear.

We will study movements we can do in the lying down position to improve our riding skills and ways of compensating for gravity in the sitting and standing positions. We will progress from there to centered and connected positions in the saddle. This is the way we can have horses enjoy being ridden while sharing cooperation.

Most of the time when any PoD occurs, whether it restricts motion or not, we know exactly where it is located. To free motion I would: find a position in which the PoD disappears; touch lightly the spot where the PoD was located; tighten and relax the muscles that are near that spot. Usually there are several layers of muscles at each spot. It is preferable to exercise each layer separately. Then, repeat the movement that was restricted and check the results.

If our attempt to free motion or remove a PoD fails. If we don't have a clue why. We may be better off calling for good professional help. When no one has a clue or for personal reasons we may wish to try self-help. Self-help applies what we have learned in self-analysis. And, to find the real cause of a PoD, we must use all our assets.

Think of the time your body should be the most relaxed in a day: In the morning when you just woke up; you haven't moved yet; you have just opened your eyes. What part of your body feels in PoD? Then watch yourself going through a typical day, from getting up to going back to sleep. When and where PoDs appear and under what conditions do they disappear? How do the PoDs seem to migrate?

The answers to these questions are essential to produce a sound self-diagnosis. In my opinion, the most important question of all is this: When is the very first time in our life that we have experienced this PoD? It is often difficult to remember. The mind has its own way to evade remembering. To remove these mental blocks, we must resort to self-hypnosis as one of our most valuable asset.

Our ambition could be a source of unusual tension. This is why our awareness of unusual tension must always be on alert. We can only achieve full release of restrictions for motion compatible with our potential limitations. When we try to develop our athletic ability we challenge our imprinted limitations. Developing our athletic abilities may require a professional evaluation of our potential limitations.

Full release in the context of self-help is relative to the awareness of our limitations. Self-analysis is the tool that provides the awareness of imprinted limitations. The self-help approach presented above is essential for challenging imprinted limitations. By detecting PoDs early we may avoid a traumatic experience. It is a way to achieve full release within the confines of our potential limitations.

We are our own judges in determining whether we can achieve full release or not. It is up to us to challenge our imprinted limitations. It is our responsibility to make sure that we don't exceed our potential limitations when we are motivated by our ambition. To achieve this, even for humans, the answer comes from Nuno Oliveira the most famous equestrian artist of all times: "Obtain without using force."

Relevant case studies with Web pages of their own that are listed for reference with a case number, a clickable title, and an abstract.

It is presented here to illustrate that, whether guided or inspired by self-analysis, self-help exercises could be the best option therapy.

Put your shields down John Doe (JD) - This JD case is a true story. It shows how unusual excessive tension can be removed with the help of breathing and scanning techniques. It also indicates how the brain may shield itself from painful perceptions.