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We are all familiar with the person that is tense most of the time. His movements seen to be jerky, his face expressive and sometimes contorted. He rarely seems to relax and take things easy. Not quite as often we see the opposite extreme. He is the individual who seems so relaxed he gives the impression of being almost asleep. His arms swing freely and loosely from his shoulders. His movements are often rather lethargic, his facial muscles seem to hang loose or to be sagging. He seldom, if ever, goes into quick action. Most of us lie somewhere in between the two extremes, and some of us are capable of optimum differential relaxation. Differential relaxation is a condition that is worth considerable effort to learn. In some individuals it seems to occur naturally. That is, without any conscious effort or learning. In many others however, it does not seem to occur naturally, and a great deal of practice is necessary in order to achieve it. That it can be achieved has been demonstrated by anyone who has studied yoga. The lack of differential muscular reaction is obvious in the act of writing. Tension in certain muscle groups is necessary for the act of writing. We must exert enough tension to hold the pen or pencil we are using. Tension is involved in the upper arm muscles in order to move the hand that contains the writing instrument. Of course, the antigravity muscles must maintain a degree of tension to keep us in an upright position. Most of us go beyond this necessary minimum amount of muscular tension. While it is only necessary to maintain a tight grip on the pencil while writing, most of us continue the pressure between words or while thinking what to write next. Sometimes we start the grip before we actually start writing. Often we maintain it once we have completed a sentence for a long time. This lack of differential relaxation is not confined to the hand and arm muscles. The person that does not relax between actual writing will probably not be relaxed in other portions of his body. He is apt to be sitting on the edge of his chair. He is often observed to be engaged in restless movements with the legs, the feet, the unoccupied hand, and the head and neck muscles. In other words, he is tense throughout his body. Usually such individuals find it difficult to relax when they retire. They often complain of difficulty in falling asleep or of tenseness in various parts of their body. The most important fact we wish to emphasize is that whenever we experience profound emotion, tension in the skeletal muscles also increases. Whenever you become angry or frightened, not only is your ANS activated but your skeletal muscles as well. The increase of muscular tension in turn facilitates the emotional experience. In general, as our emotional state increases, our muscles become more tense, but also, with increased muscle tension we become more emotional. Therefore, any factor that will increase muscular tension will also increase emotional behavior and other psychosomatic functions. This is why some psychotherapists (including the Yogis) concentrate upon techniques for inducing muscular relaxation. How often have you told a friend, "Just relax, everything will be alright?" Muscular tension and relaxation are important in human behavior. Any factor that will decrease tension in skeletal muscles will alleviate psychosomatic problems. As many experiments have shown, practically any function of the body can be conditioned to practically any stimulus. Muscular tension is no exception. We have mentioned the tendency of some people to grasp a pencil firmly before they even start to write. In other words they are "set" to begin to write. The word "set" is commonly used for the runner. For him the signals "On your mark" and "get set" have a different meaning. He has learned through practice the most efficient kinds of neuro-muscular responses to such stimuli. They are conditioned muscular tension patterns. The first are less intense, less intensive. The second are more intense and extensive. The term "get set" is used under all kinds of situations. We are set to throw, we are set to run, or we are set to talk. You can picture yourself in anyone of these situations and actually set yourself for each of these reactions. In each case you will realize that there are changes in the tone of the various striate muscles throughout your body. Each of these changes represent a conditioned response to different stimuli and each prepares you for a definite type of activity that you have learned. In fact, when we say we are set for a specific activity, we are implying that we have learned that act, and that we have learned a preparatory muscular tension pattern that is effective in carrying out that act. Through conditioning (a form of learning) we say we may get "set" to carry out many types of reactions -- for running, for walking, for listening, for sweating, for ulcers or for asthma. |
| The instructions presented are from the personal collections and writing library of Mr. Robert E. Cutter, who died December 13, 2001, while in the process of completing the transfer of his work to the internet. These are offered as educational instruction only. The purpose of this instruction is the effective learning and use of hypnotic techniques for vocational or avocational self-improvement. This instruction is not offered as a substitute for, nor as a supplement to, any form of therapy concerned with physical, mental, nervous or emotional illness. Robert E. Cutter served as web consultant for American Psychotherapy and Medical Hypnosis Association for three years. His hypnosis education came through the training he provided at a school he owned in the 1950's in Los Angeles, California, along with his wife who preceded him in death in 1980. Robert Cutter was not a psychologist and did not practice psychotherapy, but his interest in hypnosis motivated him to provide free resources materials for others who wanted to learn to use the power of their minds to improve well being and health-related issues. |
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Michael A. Robinson, LBSW, RC Texas State Board Licensed Social Worker Washington State Board Registered Counselor |
In Honor and Memory of Robert E. Cutter, B.S. 1923-d.2001 From the Writings of Robert Cutter's Self Hypnosis Center |
About Feelings Counseling and Hypnosis 113 Second Street, Wenatchee, WA 98801 Phone: (509) 662-5131 / Email: AboutFeelings@gmail.com |
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Hypnosis Education Center. All Rights Reserved. A Division of About Feelings Network |