Tension

Tension has always played a big role in my life. My muscle tension is higher than normal: it’s just part of having Cerebral Palsy. Every physical therapy or Pilates session eventually comes down to this – locating the tension and relaxing it, allowing more movement and freedom to my otherwise stiff right arm and leg.

When I’m more tensed, as I’ve been in the past few days, the physical effects are immediate. I feel it in my shoulders and back, I feel my legs refusing to move properly. I feel my right arm moving into a locked position close to my body. It’s always almost astonishing to realize how strong is the body and mind connection. For me, muscle tension is the very literal iteration and example of that.