We're starting to work with Dru's unique energy block release sequences, EBR7.
Also known as the Dru Dynamic Relaxtion this EBR is performed lying down. This makes it perfect for those affected by hypertension or anyone who simply needs to unwind after a stressful day.
The sequence is very meditative and performed in a mindful way by encouraging you to focus your full attention on synchronising movement and breath.
It is particularly good for when you are 'over tired', those troubling times when you’re physically exhausted but mentally or emotionally wired, wide-awake and unable to sleep.
As with all floor work, because the weight of the body is support and you’re not working against gravity you don’t need to worry about balance. This makes it even easier to focus your full attention on the co-ordination of movement and breath.
Why’s this important? Well, because it helps you work with (rather than against) the body’s natural relaxation response.
We have two branches to our nervous system - the sympathetic and parasympathetic.
The sympathetic nervous system is responsible for the body’s ‘fight or flight’ responses. When stimulated it tenses your muscles and increases their blood flow, dilates your pupils, increases your heart rate and breathing, and increases perspiration and blood pressure.
The parasympathetic nervous system looks after the body’s ‘rest and digest’ responses. When stimulated it helps you conserves energy as it slows the heart rate, increases intestinal and gland activity, and relaxes muscles in the gastrointestinal tract. (This is why we often get a ‘gurgling stomach’ as we start to relax.)
You need both parts of your nervous system to work in tandem so that you’re able to be dynamic and responsive or relaxed and reflective as necessary during the day.
However, if our sympathetic nervous system becomes over stimulated and we are constantly on high alert (or stressed) we may find it increasingly hard to ‘switch off’.
The good news is that when you lie down and focus your attention on simple movements in time with your breath, you activate the parasympathetic and trigger the body’s natural relaxation response.
EBR7 Dynamic Relaxation also includes a section of cross-patterning movements - we often use them in our activations at the start of class - which help integrate the right and left sides of your brain.
You will be able to discover all these benefits for yourself when you work with EBR7.