Supporting the Structures of our Body Naturally and Metapyhsically
The Capricorn lunar cycle is coming to completion over the next seven days, with the new moon in Aquarius on February 9. To close out the Capricorn lunar cycle, I have created a series of short video reels which I’ve posted below.
In the videos, I address how we can support the structures of our body naturally and metaphysically. Capricorn is all about structure, and it pertains physically to our musculoskeletal system. Ideally, we support our bones, muscles, ligaments, tendons, and joints throughout our lifetimes through good nutrition and healthy movement.
However, when we get busy or stressed, we often put our well-being on the back burner, until suddenly we feel pain in our body: tight muscles, swollen joints, and tired bones that begs us not to get out of bed in the morning! The good news is, our bodies are forgiving to a point, and there are myriad remedies to bring things back into balance, both physically and metaphysically.
Aside from surgery and NSAIDS like Ibuprofen, conventional medicine struggles to keep up with the musculoskeletal system. Luckily Mother Nature has us covered!
Keep scrolling to watch the videos. I’ve also provided some longer text if you feel like getting into the nitty gritty details, Capricorn style!
Feet
First, for all my shoe fans, and the healthcare practitioners who spend all day on their toes, literally and figuratively, we’re diving into the feet.
Did you know that 52 bones, 40 muscles, and a quarter of our body’s joints reside in our two feet? Because we are upright (and hopefully not uptight) humans, they diligently carry the load of our entire body weight. The average adult in the US weighs about 180 pounds, so it’s no wonder our feet often go screaming after a long day.
Pain and issues with our feet can tell us when something in our body and in our lives is out of alignment. Here are three easy and natural ways to bring relief to those aches:
One of my favorite ways to love up my feet is a yoga pose called “toe squat.” Oooooooh it hurts so good! Make sure your baby toes are not tucked under so they can get in on the fun. Doing this every day for 1-3 minutes will be a game changer for sore feet. You can use blocks to support your hands if it feels better, too.
Of course my FAVORITE way to provide relief to those tireless companions that support us throughout the day is with a foot massage. A good foot massage can transport us into a place of bliss! But even if you don’t have someone to massage your feet for you, you can do it yourself using the heel of your hand, a gua sha stone, or even a wooden spoon. Hey, sometimes we have to think outside the box!
If your feet need more professional help, consider finding a therapist who teaches the MELT technique, which gently helps to break up some of the adhesions in our feet that cause pain. Adhesions are the things that feel like gravel when we massage our feet and can impact our knees, hips, even our neck!
Whatever way you choose to love up your feet, you can add in a purposeful affirmation:
Every step I take creates a pathway to joy.
Because, let’s be honest, your feet deserve a round of applause for their hard work. And you do, too!
Spine
Next up: We’re gonna groove on our spine. According to many yoga philosophies, the flexibility and health of our spine determines our age. I mean, why do Botox when you can love up your spine instead?
It’s wild how we can feel it so intensely when one of the 33 small bones or our sacrum or tailbone in our spine moves out of alignment, or when one of the 120 muscles freezes up, or when we have inflammation in one of the 100 joints that keep it all moving. Our spine is an incredible miracle of flexibility, agility, and strength. Imagine all those bones, muscles, joints, and ligaments having a party – a little get-together to help you bend, twist, and conquer your day. We take it for granted until UH! We suddenly. can’t. move.
Your spine is the OG multitasker. It’s not just about standing tall; it’s about grooving through life with ease. So, next time you twist for the TV remote or bend to tie your shoes, thank your spine’s dance party.
Speaking of dancing, here are three ways to support your spine naturally:
Dance It Out: Throw on your favorite tunes and let loose! Dancing is a fantastic way to keep your spine flexible. Whether it’s a funky groove or a smooth sway, moving to the rhythm engages your spine in a fun and dynamic way, promoting flexibility and keeping it in the groove of things.
Cat-Cow Stretch: For a more intentional stretch, try the Cat-Cow stretch. Start on your hands and knees and inhale, then arch your back upward like a cat while you exhale, then lowering your belly and inhaling for a cow stretch. It’s a dance for your spine that adds breath work and a touch of flexibility to your routine. Don’t do this, though, if it hurts your knees. You can watch a video of it HERE.
Monthly bodywork, whether through osteopathy, massage, acupuncture, or chiropractic care, is a key to maintaining optimal spine health. These therapies alleviate tension, enhance flexibility, and promote overall well-being. Investing in regular sessions becomes a holistic commitment to supporting a healthy, supple, and agile spine. Fortunately more and more health insurance plans are covering a portion of these services so you don’t have to invest as much as before.
You can also love up your spine with this affirmation:
My spine is vibrant and agile, helping me to embrace life’s rhythms through its twists and turns.
So, sway to the music and sprinkle in some intentional stretches and bodywork – your spine will thank you for the rhythm and the stretch, and your friends will tell you how much younger you look!
Shoulders
Finally, let’s explore our shoulders. These often-overlooked pillars of strength carry more than the online shopping packages left at our doorstep – they symbolize and embody our burdens, responsibilities, and fears. Our shoulders, in their remarkable way, reflect the stories of our lives. Join me on this quickie journey as we unlock the secrets held within and discover three natural ways to nurture these vital gatekeepers of our well-being.
When our hearts are constricted from hurt, emotional wounds, trauma, and grief, we feel it in our shoulders. When we are closed off from receiving from others or from the Divine, when we are trying to give from an empty cup, we feel it in our shoulders. When we feel like we are carrying the weight of the world, that all the responsibilities of work, family, and relationship fall on our shoulders, yes, we feel it in our shoulders! And given the state of the world, when we feel helpless to create change, yes, we feel it in our shoulders because we are feeling it in our hearts.
Seeing a pattern here? Don’t despair, my love, don’t tell me that you will always always always have those knots in your shoulders! Here are three natural ways we can open our hearts and support our shoulders:
Embrace mindful stretching: Simple shoulder rolls or gentle yoga poses like “thread the needle” can release tension and promote flexibility.
Visit a massage therapist and ask them to add an essential oil like lavender or chamomile to their base oil to help relieve tension. My favorite is the Deep Blue blend from doTerra, which you can also buy in a stick version to use on yourself. You can check it out HERE.
Prioritize self-care with regular awareness checks! So often in our work we take shallow, unconscious breaths, or we start stooping without even knowing it. I mean, have you ever seen yourself in a mirror when you’re texting or on the computer for a long time?! Checking your posture after you’ve put on your oxygen mask — breathing — can help alleviate stress on your shoulders too.
As we release the weight from and tightness in our shoulders, we open ourselves to greater love and abundance, which frankly, is the whole point of life, no? Repeat after me:
I release my burdens to the Divine, I open my heart to receive, and I trust in the flow of life.
Let go and let God, and feel your shoulders and heart open.
Questions? Please leave them in the comments below!
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