Kinesiology & Self-care in the World of Caring

As Kinesiologists, our philosophy and approach to healing always comes back to energy. If we consider the simple law of physics that for every action there is an equal or opposite reaction, for every action we give to our passionate work, we must find a way to counterbalance with self-care. 

As complementary therapists, we are all commonly driven by the desire to contribute, heal, help and support, be of service, make a difference and create purpose in our lives and the lives of our clients.  

We hope like us, you agree that working in this industry is an incredibly rewarding and fulfilling career choice.  

There is nothing quite like being part of a clients’ transformational journey, from “dis-ease" through to empowerment and homeostasis and then on to happier, healthier living. Facilitating and witnessing this process is truly remarkable and humbling.  

However, when we are so enthralled by our passion to create impact, we tend to forget about the other, less than perfect, aspects of our career choice and dedication to others – such as burnout, compassion fatigue or illness. 

The limitless hours and years we dedicate to others can take its toll if not balanced with stable structures of self-care. We have created this article to share some key Kinesiology balancing techniques and self-care tips we have learnt throughout 20+ years of practice. 

So, what do you need to know about self-care while you provide healing care for your clients?

Kinesiology Techniques to Balance Yourself

Below are a few brilliant Kinesiology techniques to help you shift your energy, quieten your nervous system, and take you from the low hum of stress into a more balanced state. These techniques are easy to integrate into your daily practice, and at the very least, we recommend you utilise them when you encounter stress or low energy.

1. Thymus Thump

In Kinesiology, we regard the thymus as the master gland in regulating and monitoring our energy flow. You know the high vibrancy feeling you get when you are engaged in something you love? And on the other hand, when you are experiencing something you perceive to be unpleasant, there is a slump in this vibrant energy? Well, this is the perfect time to raise your energy and thump the thymus. 

How to: 
Simply thump with your fingertips or knuckles where the 2nd rib joins the sternum. 

Duration:
30 – 60 seconds 

2. Emotional Stress Release (ESR)

This technique was developed by Dr TJ Bennet and can be done anywhere, anytime.  It can be used for past, present, and future stressors and aids in re-balancing our emotions whilst releasing pent-up emotional energy. This technique helps us move away from survival-based fight/flight thoughts by increasing blood flow to the frontal lobe of the brain (where we have access to creative, solution focussed, higher self-thought). 

How to:
'Hold' two points which are located on the forehead, in-line with the centre of your eyebrows and midway between the hairline and the top of the eyebrow.  You can then do one of two options:

• Place your hand across your forehead

or

• Place a thumb on one side of your forehead in the location of the point and two fingers on the other side 

Hold this until you feel a gentle pulse, preferably on both sides. 

Duration: 
This can take 30 – 90 seconds. We recommend utilising this technique anytime you are feeling stressed.

3. Cross Crawl

This is a simple energy boosting technique which also improves performance and neurological organisation. Cross crawling activates both the left and right hemispheres of the brain, improving the brain’s connection with each side of the body.   

How to:  

• Keep the head straight and have the eyes look diagonally upwards to the left.  
• March with opposite arm to leg (cross crawl) on the spot 10 times, whilst keeping eyes in above position.  
• Then look diagonally downwards to the right. 
• March with same arm and leg (homolateral crawl) on the spot 10 times, whilst keeping eyes looking down to the right. 
• Stand still and centred whilst holding your hands out to the side with palms forward.  Bring your hands slowly together towards your midline so that your fingers and thumbs interlock. Imagine the hands represent the two hemispheres of the brain coming together and integrating. Bring your hands into your heart.

Top 10 Self-Care Foundational Tools

We've also included a top 10 list of foundational self-care tools to help bring your body and mind into balance on a regular basis. Many of these tools focus on activating the parasympathetic nervous system, which in turn allows the body to calm and naturally restore.

1. Your Self-care Schedule

Allocate intentional time to structure your self-care practices. An idea or concept which lives in your head is less likely to be implemented compared to one that has been set in your calendar. Giving your self-care routine and daily operations a structure, will provide a stable base and remind you to take a moment to prioritise you and your wellbeing.

2. Holidays 

Schedule holidays a year in advance. Not just the big ones, but the little weekend getaways as well. While you’re working hard, this will help your conscious and subconscious brain know there is a rest and relaxation time coming up to replenish. 

3. Morning Routine

How do you set yourself up for your day? A routine is a powerful structure to get your mind, body and soul set up in a way which is empowering to you. Routine offers certainty which also offers a level of calm to the nervous system. You may even consider a power-down evening routine to signify your workday of service is done and it is now time for you.

4. Diet 

Do you honour your body with what you put into it? Pay attention to what you’re eating and how your body is responding. Learn what to eat (and what not to eat) to keep yourself in optimal health and balanced energy. Remember, hydration is important too. 

5. Time out

What gets you into your bliss zone? This will be different and unique for everyone, but the important thing is that you can identify it and allocate regular time to being in your bliss zone. Even if this is 5 minute a day, or 1 hour a week, consistency is key. Softening to your bliss zone allows the body and nervous system to reset, calibrate and recharge. 

6. Cleansing 

When the body feels cleansed, everything feels easier. Again, cleansing techniques can be unique for everyone. Here are some we use: dry skin brushing, cold showers, or swim in the ocean, gargling, meditation, hydration, breath work, lemon in warm water, bitter greens. 

7. Sleep

That’s it! Sleep. Prioritise getting your full 7 - 9 hours every night.

8. Become the Client 

Yes, you are a practitioner, but being a client from time to time is also beneficial.  Choose your wellness team and book in at regular intervals. Seeing your team of practitioners regularly allows for maintenance and prevention.

9. Your Space

Whether it is your workspace or your home space, make it a space you love to enter and be in. A clean and tidy space supports a clean and tidy mind.  

10. Finances

Finances can be one of the most common stressors in modern western life. Our recommendation here is to have empowering structures around your finances. Know the numbers of your business and keep up to date with your tax returns. Being conscious around the vibration you hold towards money is key.  

We hope you find value in these tools and understand the importance of prioritising your own health and wellbeing as a practitioner. Self-care provides an integral role in ensuring you can continually fulfil your purpose of being in service to others. 

It may seem simple, but these techniques have profound benefits when fully integrated into your routine. Remember that consistency is key, and it is okay to start small.  

We hope we have piqued your interest in Kinesiology, and we invite you to explore further by connecting with us at The Nidana Collective on our socials, or please email us at info@thenidanacollective.com.   

IICT provides professional membership and access to exclusive insurance rates for Kinesiologists and practitioners across 1,100+ modalities. To find out more visit www.myiict.com or call +61 2 5629 7777 Monday to Friday, 10am – 4pm NSW, Australia. 

Article written by: Terese Mudgway and Sarah Gilmour-Mayne

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