Episode Transcript
The second stage of the SOFT approach is Opening.
Opening is about letting go of tension and protective patterns in the body’s fascia.
It is not about forcing change.
It is about creating enough safety for your body to soften, little by little.
Many people have been taught that healing is about pushing through discomfort.
But when it comes to trauma and fascia, this approach does not work.
Forcing can create more tension, resistance, or even pain.
The SOFT approach is different.
Opening means honoring your body’s pace.
Your fascia will begin to unwind only when it feels safe.
Protective patterns formed for a reason.
They kept you safe in times of stress, pain, or danger.
With SOFT, these patterns are respected.
When you give your body permission to soften on its own terms, real change can happen.
Consider this example.
Someone carries chronic jaw and pelvic tension.
They have tried to relax by stretching, deep tissue massage, or willpower—but the tension always returns.
With SOFT, the process begins by gently noticing these areas.
Instead of forcing release, the focus is on curiosity and compassion.
Gradually, the body learns it is safe to let go.
Small shifts happen over time.
Sometimes, the most powerful change is in allowing yourself to pause, breathe, and notice.
Let’s try a gentle opening exercise now.
If it feels right, find a small, soft object like a tennis ball or rolled-up towel.
Place it under an area of your body that feels tight—maybe your shoulder, back, or hip.
Let your weight rest into the object.
Notice what you feel.
Is there tension, warmth, or maybe even discomfort?
Allow your breath to move slowly in and out.
If it feels too much, ease off or remove the object.
There is no need to push.
Let your body guide you.
Sometimes, just pausing in this way is enough to invite a subtle release.
You may notice a shift, or you may not.
Both are valuable.
The art of gentle unwinding is about respect.
When you honor your body’s timing, you create the possibility for lasting change.
Remember, your body knows how to heal.
With patience and safety, your fascia can begin to open—softly, and on its own terms.
