Positive Health Online

Movement is the Expression of Life in the Universe.

In all movement lies the potential for the energetic changes that underpin life, health and effective functioning -our very existence. Some movement is not directly task orientated. Stretching, for example, improves our range of movement and functioning, and that is just the start.

Any serious sports person will tell you how important it is to stretch, particularly after strenuous physical exercise. Physiotherapy and Shiatsu also include stretching in their treatments. Disciplines such as Tai Chi and Yoga are dedicated to movement and stretching, and their benefits to the body and the mind.


Early in energy training, simple exercises with the hands demonstrate that there is a point (or points) within the movement where a change in sensation is perceived which is not physical. If we stop at these points, cease to move, remaining absolutely present in the moment, these points of potential change resolve themselves and then become undetectable - they no longer exist.

Energetic Change in Everyday Life

In our daily lives we create countless opportunities for energetic change, Walking, running, turning; the acts of sitting and then standing again, bending and straightening, reaching for something, closing your hand, flexing a foot.

All are opportunities for energetic change missed in the hustle and bustle of everyday life.
In a busy railway station, a wide range of emotional changes can be detected.

By contrast however, for all the vast numbers of people present, moving to and fro, going about their business, there are almost no signs of energetic change; energy in the process of resolving. Our individual energy fields interact with others people's energy fields and create many opportunities for change to take place, but somehow the change rarely happens.

The missing ingredient is stillness at the right point in time to allow the change to take place.  Someone looking at the departure board for the right train to take them home is unlikely to recognize that energetically they have reached a point of potential change which will resolve itself if they remain still for a just few seconds longer. Even more unlikely is that they will, whilst walking, mind dwelling elsewhere, recognize that within their energetic field there are places where the energy is rising to a peak ready for change only to subside again, rather like a sneeze that builds up to a peak, but at the highest point does not materialize.

Many changes do take place in our daily lives albeit unknown to us but, if we are aware enough, we can aid that energetic process that precedes healing and wellbeing just by knowing when to stop moving, and be still.

Energetic Change and Therapy

In therapy, the object is for the therapist to recognize what wants to change and facilitate that change; however my experience is that stretches are often considered to be a 'preparation' for the 'real' work of manipulation or pressing of points. So many opportunities are lost through lack of sensitivity and awareness - not being fully present in the moment.

The situation may simply be that the therapist just has not realized the energetic potential of stretching, and the profound effects this will have on the course of the treatment.

As energy workers, whatever the discipline we offer to our family, our friends and the general public, we create those conditions that are missing from the daily lives of most people. A place to focus on the present moment; stretching to create opportunities, awareness of what is being presented; stillness to allow the change to take place, awareness that the change has taken place and moving on again, in full awareness for the next opportunity to arise.

Each presentation is absolutely unique, and you, the therapist have been invited to take part in a dance of life that will never be repeated again in the same way no matter how many times you treat your client - life moves on.

The principle of stretching being a catalyst for energetic change is not confined to a select few therapies. The principle can be applied to all therapy and forms of self healing.

One international teacher of Osteopathy using stretches to indicate areas of potential energetic change found that the stretch often indicated the starting point for the treatment and manipulation.

In one example, a neck that 'refused' to move was easily adjusted once a lower back misalignment had been treated. The place to start (the lower back) was indicated after careful rotation of the leg, and a stretch across the lower back energetically revealed a point of potential change.

In Shiatsu, limbs which contain a meridian to be treated are first placed in a stretch position. Be fully present and aware. Careful positioning of the stretch whilst feeling for the energetic response from the meridian, when held for the right length of time creates a highly effective treatment. Be prepared to accept that the stretch may not be exactly where 'tradition' dictates it 'should' be.
Energy and energetic change are not ruled by 'Tradition'.

Yoga, Chi Gung, Tai Chi and other Internal Energetic Disciplines

Extending one's awareness beyond the physical form in Tai Chi, Chi Gung and Yoga brings us in direct contact with the energetic potential and requirements of our body and mind. Carrying out the sequence of movements or 'form', whilst being fully aware and present of what these movements create in ourselves, allows us to be part of the continuous flow of energetic change both observer and participant.

At the point of recognition of energy rising to a peak, being still in the moment and remaining in stillness allows the change to take place - self healing. Then the cycle starts again, elsewhere.

In Makko Ho and other stretching exercises, do not look at how easy, or how difficult the stretch is and consider that this is an indication of the diagnosis for treatment. These areas may need to be addressed; however they may not be the starting point for treatment.

Be aware of when there is an energetic response from the stretch; this is your starting point for treatment or self reflection.

Developing Awareness of Energetic Change in One's Self

In the absence of a having access to a suitably trained energy teacher, here is a simple example of how one can take first steps to developing awareness of energetic changes in one's self.

Standing like a Tree

Standing (or sitting) in a relaxed and comfortable way, arms raised in a rounded position as though gently holding a sphere, allow the centre fingers to come close together without actually touching.

Be totally present and very aware as though you had been woken up in the night by a sound, and every bit of you, every sense is straining to perceive where the sound came from.

In this state of awareness, slowly move your hands apart like an expanding circle and 'feel' throughout your being for any change in sensation, any change in perception and not just between your hands.

When you feel, what in Waveform we call the 'click', repeat the movement where the change took place and see if the sensation is repeated. If the sensation / change in perception is repeated, hold this point in absolute stillness and wait until the sensation or the 'click' which holds your attention disappears.

For those who do not practise Tai Ch or a similar discipline, got to a park or the woods, somewhere where you are not going to feel self-conscious. Be still, present and aware, then start to walk very slowly, being fully conscious of placing every step on the ground.

Where a movement creates a change in sensation as described earlier, rock gently backwards and forwards to confirm the position of the point of energetic change and then remain still until it resolves, and is undetectable. Continue your walk as before.

To Sum Up

In life we can create a space to develop our personal energetic awareness.

Tai chi and Chi Gung, as I have already suggested, are excellent examples of individual practice where once you move beyond the form (the pattern of physical movement), you become aware of another state of being which was always there, just not consciously realized.

Being totally present and aware is the prerequisite for development in energy work. This state of Being is also the foundation upon which one opens the doors to a profound change in perception. So do not be concerned if your awareness of energetic change seems to you to be faint or distant; constant practice in Being and Awareness will help to make these at first subtle observations a very tangible part of your life.

Moving and stretching in full awareness becomes more than just actions that are performed each day without thought or mental presence, but a conscious act of self-healing, and a doorway to the Universe.