Have you ever watched babies stretch their arms and legs as they wake up?  If so, you have witnessed pandiculation.  This is the nervous system’s natural way of waking up the sensory-motor system and preparing for movement.  As we age and develop habitual ways of standing and moving, this natural response becomes inhibited.  As muscles become tight and fail to release, tension and pain may result.  Our nervous system has learned to keep muscles tight, it can also learn to release those same muscles. Somatic exercises re-educate the brain to restore the natural mind-body pandiculation response.

Carol Meekes, at ease Somatics, ateaseSomatics.com