The cat stretch is a series of 7 simple movement patterns to provide back relief, let go of back muscle spasms, improve hip mobility and free the neck and other muscle tension holding patterns. The entire body is addressed.
To restore natural flexibility like a cat has to do with the ability to do what all healthy cats do in the morning. We've thought of cats stretching, they actually pandiculate. In the morning, cats contract certain muscles about 7 - 10 each morning. They will release any tight or stiff muscles which became that way overnight.
The result is less tension and a freer set of muscles. Some 333 years ago, the founder of modern clinical medicine, Herman Boerhaave, noted pandiculations brings muscles to rest.
Thomas Hanna, the creator of somatics exercises, systematized pandiculations so we use our brain's cortex to change and lower tension levels in our muscles.
We regain mobility and thus restore natural flexibility as the muscles return to comfort. The feelings of discomfort, tightness, and stress can let go with a simple reset of easy movement patterns.
To unite a knot is a gentle matter much like our muscles responding more effectively with this approach. Our movement system is enhanced from a reminder of coordinating actions. This does not have to be hard work, instead we use our sensitivity and feel our way to more comfortable ranges of motion.
The upside is our muscles become both relaxed and more functional. Our movement system gets rebalanced and the feelings of freedom in movement return.
This happens as the brain's cortex sends relaxation chemicals to the muscles. We can go merrily along, until we need to rest once again.
The 7 simple movements of the cat stretch address the following areas:
1. This key somatics movement wakeups the spinal muscles and brain's cerebrospinal fluid. This is a modified version of the yoga cat stretch where we simply lie on our back and flex and extend the spine.
2. The second move will let go of tightness in the front of the neck, chest and upper body.
3. This movement is excellent to release the back and hamstrings. This is a go to, if we experience a back muscle spasm.
4. Compression from sitting and hunching is released in this movement pattern. We also rewire our cross walking pattern so we can comfortably amble about.
5. This delicious movement frees hundreds of muscles along the spine, shoulders and releases the hips to swivel more readily.
6. This 3 part movement frees the ankle, legs, hips, spine, neck and shoulders. You�"'ll be able to kick up those heels once again.
7. The last move will get the neck, back and hips to coordinate a delightful twisting motion.
Anyone can do these movements at any age. To have cat like agility, mobility, balance and grace in motion is simply a brain thing where mindful movements known as the cat stretch restores the comfortable feelings of freedom we had as a child.
