What are Sotai exercises?
Dr. Hashimoto, a Japanese doctor, developed a system of muscular tension
release that is quite unique. He found that as a person goes into a motion
that causes pain, there is a momentary release in the opposite direction. He
considered this and created a method for relieving pain without causing
more discomfort to the patient.
The basic principle of Sotai is to find which movement does not cause pain
and discomfort. A simple breathing pattern is followed as the patient goes
into the non-painful direction. A moderate amount of force is used to
counter the patient’s movement. Muscular tension and pain are released.
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Sotai Exercises
Principles:
• Do no movement that
causes pain or discomfort.
• One side or direction will be
looser and without pain.
Choose this direction or side
to do the exercises.
• The breath is key. It resets
your nervous system.
• More is not better. You can
overdo it.
Steps:
1. Check to see which side
or direction is tight and/or
painful. Choose the
opposite side or direction.
2. Inhale normally.
3. On the exhale, start the
movement. Do only to 80%
strength of what you can do.
4. At the bottom of the
exhale, hold your breath for
3 seconds.
5. Then, relax and collapse
the whole body.
6. Do a set of 3 and then go
on to the next exercise.
Art of Acupuncture
