Learning to Relax
Tension is pain. Sometimes the lesson comes in an unmistakable form. I once had it delivered in the form of chilled feet. It seems that my feet are prone to cramping when allowed to cool too much. One day I allowed them to do just that and when I went to use them for more than standing around, a muscle within started to contract and it just wouldn't stop. As it tensed, it became painful. As it became painful, it became more tense. The forward feedback loop went on until it was as tight as it could go and it just held on until I somehow managed to relax it. By then the damage was done and the muscle was badly pulled. Running seemed not so bad, but every controlling touch or powerful kick of a soccer ball for the next three weeks was done with my left foot. It was good training, but shouldn't have been necessary. The lesson has tried to repeat itself twice since then as my cold feet again launched into a sudden onset of great pain as they cramped. I managed to forcibly relax th...