Body Intelligence – Finding ease for the lower back, 8: the inner massage
by josefine | Jun 6, 2025
This last Micro Pause on the lower back program is a lesson in self compassion. It is also a lesson in giving your self an inner massage, a very practical form of self compassion. Why being kind to yourself matters the most: its all about the nervous system. A common misconception is that muscles become too short and that we need to stretch them out into their full length. Instead, muscles can be contracted or extended, and sometimes they get “stuck” in contraction. Stretching the muscles wont make them longer, what they need is for the nervous system to believe that its safe to extend the muscles. When we do the inner massage, we gently stretch muscles, then release them and in doing so we tell the nervous system that it’s safe to extend the muscles, resulting in greater relaxation.
Interlace fingers into waist
Micro Pause to open up your shoulders. This one is especially for the area around the collar bones, or the front of the shoulders.
Easy seated twist
This Micro Pause will get you to know your back better. Increased self awareness starting from the spine. We make a twist and focus on the sensations along the spine, while trying to negotiate more space in the back.
Standing all 4 arm circle
Micro Pause to bring aliveness into the upper back. We use the chair to support our hands as we make a big circle with the arm, letting the movements ripple through the entire body. We end with negotiating more space in the body using a gentle rotation.
