I want to share an exercise I've been enjoying in my personal practice: the Zen Swing! It's a simple, rhythmic movement that’s great for spinal mobility, releasing neck tension, and boosting your lymphatic system—which only improves when we move!
Let's practice the Zen Swing together right now!
How to Practice the Zen Swing
This exercise requires very little effort but yields great benefits. I love putting on an uplifting song and doing this for the entire track!
Stand Up: Place your feet about hip-width apart and feel solid on the earth, grounding yourself.
Shift Weight: Begin by gently shifting your weight from side to side. Lift one heel at a time while keeping the balls of your feet and toes on the floor. You can also add a slight lift of the hip on the side of the lifted heel.
Add the Swing: Let your arms swing loosely from side to side, propelled by the momentum of your hips. Think of your arms as a relaxed pendulum. They should feel completely loose and heavy.
Keep Gaze Forward: Keep your gaze generally forward, allowing your head and neck to pivot gently with the movement of your spine.
The Challenge
Start small: Practice the Zen Swing for just one minute a day.
Build up: After a few days, try increasing it to two minutes.
Use music: Find a song you love so you feel excited to keep swinging for even longer. Keep building up your practice from there.
