Relaxation: A Homecoming for the Nervous System
Relaxation: A Homecoming for the Nervous System
The word relaxation is everywhere these days — on billboards, in magazines, in advertisements — all promising “less stress” in a world that often feels like it has misplaced peace.
But real relaxation isn’t just a spa-day idea. It’s a whole-body experience. It involves the relationship between the body and the mind, and for many of us, it’s not automatic — it’s a learned skill.
Yes, social time, enjoyable movement, nature, and entertainment can help. But the most deep, sustaining form of relaxation tends to come from practices that train the nervous system directly — such as Yoga Nidra, meditation, and guided visualization.
When we truly relax:
The body moves toward rest and repair
The mind becomes quieter
Emotions feel steadier and less reactive
And the beautiful part? We can learn how to return to this state more easily over time.
The Body
Our muscles are constantly contracting and releasing. When strain exceeds our capacity, the body loses efficiency and fatigue builds.
Increasing strain = fatigue
Decreasing strain = relaxation
Relaxation is not laziness — it’s recovery. It’s how the body recharges so it can function well again.
The Emotions
Emotions like love, anger, fear, worry, sorrow, and joy arise in response to life. The nervous system responds to these emotions chemically — through hormones and stress responses — which can also increase muscular tension and affect internal organs.
When stress becomes chronic, the body can remain stuck in “on” mode: tight, vigilant, braced.
In a trauma-informed lens, the goal isn’t to “control emotions” in a harsh way — it’s to build the capacity to regulate emotions and come back to safety. That is a form of relaxation, too.
How to Relax the Body
Some of the most effective practices are simple and repeatable:
1) Rest the body in stillness
Relaxation in Savasana (corpse pose), progressive muscle release (tension and release), or Yoga Nidra (yogic sleep) can be deeply nourishing. Gentle movement beforehand can help, but the key is to allow time for the body to settle afterward.
2) Repeat the practice (this is the secret)
Relaxation becomes more natural through repetition. Over time, your system learns: “Ah… this is what safe feels like.”
You can practice by yourself or use a pre-recorded audio, moving your inner attention systematically through the body.
3) Train the “relax at will” skill
With regular practice, you may notice something powerful: you can begin to soften the body without needing a technique every time.
Because of the brain’s neuroplasticity, you’re not just “relaxing once.” You’re rewiring from habitual stress toward a new baseline of steadiness.
Apply Relaxation Whenever You Choose
The ability to relax at will grows from repeated practice. Small daily sessions are often more effective than occasional long ones. Even 5–10 minutes matters.
What to Do After Relaxation Practice
After relaxation exercises, you may naturally feel ready for Pranayama (breath practices). This is a gentle transition from the “gross” to the “subtle” — from the physical body into steadier inner awareness. From there, meditation can become more accessible.
Enjoy your yoga, with gratitude,
Kate-Nirlipta