These have been humid days.
The day before yesterday, I made a long journey to go horse riding.
My condition wasn't the best and my riding suffered because of it.
Then yesterday, my body felt heavy.
I'm experimenting and seeking the optimal condition for my body maintenance.
It's important to loosen up my body after riding, but it seems I had forgotten how crucial it is to do the same before riding.
(How well I can loosen up might be the key.)
Yesterday was a day dedicated to thinking about how to keep my body supple and acting on it.
- Scalp MassageBefore starting this, I do a lymphatic massage.I work on the sides of the neck, collarbone, under the armpits, etc., to improve lymphatic flow.Rather than just using fingers, I use what I'm best at, aromatherapy oil, to promote the lymphatic flow.
- Massaging the Heavenly Pillar (part of the cervical spine).Due to long hours of driving and riding powerful horses, I relieve the stiffness from my neck to shoulders.(I also try using the aromatherapy massage oil here.)
- Loosening up the whole body.I slowly lay on my side and check the coccyx, sacrum, lumbar spine, thoracic spine, and cervical spine to see if there are any painful spots, and apply aromatherapy oil there.I massage where I can.
- Once the body is relaxed, I do Dantian breathing to deliver oxygen to the brain.
I took my time to do all these things (approximately 1.5 hours).
The stiffness in my shoulders and arms has significantly reduced.
I, who used to be careless with my body, have studied well, and am amazed at myself.
On the other hand, I learned through experience that if I don't take care of my body after (and before) riding, my body will end up in shambles.
I have a strong desire never to be in that condition again, and this is leading me to seriously confront my own body.