Mara Nicandro NMT – Holistic Neuromuscular Massage Therapy for Vital Wellness

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Tag: habitual stress

Why old injuries flare up under stress

Jul 6, 2013

—

by

Mara Nicandro

in Physiological Laws

✨Is Quad Dominance Keeping You Stuck in Tension

✨Is Quad Dominance Keeping You Stuck in Tension Patterns? You know that feeling—your thighs doing all the work in Pilates, burning during yoga, or feeling heavy on a simple walk. But here's what most people miss: it's not just about your quads.

Here's the tricky part: Many people try to strengthen their way out of these patterns. But if you're strengthening compensations, you're actually reinforcing the tension you're trying to escape. These patterns might temporarily relax after a workout, but true freedom comes from restoring your body's natural connections.

Your body is sending you a message about how you breathe, move, and naturally stack. From your jaw to your toes, these tension patterns keep you from finding ease in movement.

➡️ Swipe to discover how these patterns affect your whole body!

💡 The Breakthrough? Understanding how your breathing affects your body's natural stacking patterns is key to breaking free from quad dominance. It's not about working harder—it's about restoring your body's natural harmony.

✨ BONUS BODY AWARENESS TOOL: Try this 30-second check-in right now:

1️⃣ Notice your jaw tension (most people hold it!)
2️⃣ Let your tongue float away from the roof of your mouth
3️⃣ Feel how your breath moves differently
4️⃣ Notice if your quads soften

This simple awareness practice starts retraining your body's natural stacking patterns. Save this to practice daily!

👉 Want to understand your body better? Check out Part 2 of my blog series, Your Body's Natural Stack, and discover how breathing and alignment can transform your movement experience.

Drop a 💪 below if you're ready to move beyond quad dominance and share—what movement challenge frustrates you most? Let's break free from those tension patterns together!

#MovementPatterns #BreathingPatterns #QuadDominance #PilatesLife #YogaJourney #NaturalMovement #BodyStacking #MovementEducation #YourBodysNaturalStack #MovementFreedom #TensionPatterns #BreathWork #MovementHealth #SustainableMovement
#SelfCare

Take a moment to pause and breathe. 🌿
Your body

Take a moment to pause and breathe. 🌿
Your body holds so much wisdom when we slow down and listen.

Quad dominance, tension, or just feeling ‘stuck’—these are all signs your body might need a reset. 🌟

Save this haiku as a gentle reminder: ease in movement starts with awareness and connection.

💡 What small shift could you make today to feel more balanced? Share below!

✨ Stay tuned! Tomorrow at 10:30 AM, I’ll be sharing more insights on quad dominance, natural alignment, and practical ways to restore balance.

#yourbodysnaturalstack
#NaturalStack #QuadDominance #BodyAlignment #TensionRelease #EaseInMovement #MindfulMovement #BreathingPatterns #PostureAwareness #FunctionalMovement #MovementHealth #WellnessJourney #CoreConnection #MuscleBalance #BodyWisdom #RestoreBalance

Understanding Your Posture Story ✨

When your nervous system remembers how to breathe

When your nervous system remembers how to breathe ✨

From fighting for balance ➡️ effortless stability in one session. This is what's possible when we help the brain and body get back in sync!

This kind of transformation is exactly what I write about in my book Your Body's Natural Stack™ - how working with your nervous system (not against it) creates lasting change that goes beyond temporary relief.

👉 If you're dealing with:
• Balance issues
• Chronic tension
• Body compensations
• Jaw discomfort

There's a better way forward.

📚 Learn more in my book Your Body's Natural Stack™
✨ Ready for your transformation? Book a session

Links in bio 🌿

#NeuromuscularTherapy #HolisticHealth #NervousSystem #BodyworkTherapy #WellnessJourney #MovementPattern #BalanceAndStability

From Jaw Pain to Natural Balance: Hunter's Physica

From Jaw Pain to Natural Balance: Hunter's Physical Therapy Journey

Today I saw Hunter, who first came to me after years of managing jaw dysfunction. He's done so much with physical therapy exercises to get to this point—thank you to his previous providers for laying the foundation! Now, he's focusing on long-term solutions for sustainable health.

In today's session, we worked on jaw alignment, and the transformation is clear in this before/after comparison:
• Before (left): While maintaining a straight spine, Hunter was visibly straining. His body had adapted to years of compensation, pushing his head back—a task his trapezius muscles would naturally handle if functioning optimally.
• After (right): Notice how his head and spine have found a relaxed, natural position, allowing his body to stack properly without strain.

Watch for my next posts to see his balance transformation! I'll share how addressing jaw alignment helped his nervous system find better stability and control.

During our session, we also addressed his right knee mobility and incorporated breathing synchronization to help reset his movement patterns for better efficiency.

Hunter's homework includes:
✔️ Using toe separators to gently activate and align his toes, building the foundation for future strengthening
✔️ Continuing to work on his bite to support the progress we're making

By addressing these foundational imbalances and reconditioning his nervous system, Hunter is creating a stronger, more efficient base for long-term balance and movement.

➡️ Are you dealing with jaw pain, postural challenges, or balance issues? DM me or click the link in bio to schedule your assessment. Let's work together to help you move and feel better.

(Stay tuned for the balance assessment videos! 👀)

#JawAlignment #PostureMatters #NervousSystemHealth #BodyBalance #ToeStrengthening #FunctionalMovement #SustainableHealth #PhysicalTherapy #TMJ #PosturalAlignment

Part 1: The Secret Behind Your Body's Natural Stac

Part 1: The Secret Behind Your Body's Natural Stack™ 💫

Ever notice how a good breath can make you feel taller? Here's something fascinating about your body!

Your breathing muscles aren't just for breathing - they're actually your core's secret support system and your body's natural pump! Think of them as your internal support team working 24/7.

Here's what's really happening in Your Body's Natural Stack™:
• Your diaphragm (main breathing muscle) works with your deep core
• Each breath naturally stabilizes your spine
• Every deep breath pumps your lymphatic system (your body's natural detox)
• When you breathe right, fluid moves freely through your body

But here's where things get tricky (recognize any of these?):
• Shallow breathing = less core support and sluggish drainage
• Holding your breath while working? Your stack gets stuck
• Tight neck and shoulders can restrict your natural flow
• Stress breathing can leave you feeling puffy and foggy

The good news? Your body knows exactly what to do! When your breathing flows naturally, Your Body's Natural Stack™ falls right into place. Your spine gets support, and your lymphatic system keeps things moving. No forcing, no holding, just easy flow and support.

Quick tip: Next time you're sitting at your desk, take a full, easy breath. Feel how your body naturally lifts and supports itself? That's your natural stack in action! ✨

Ready to let your breath do the work? Your whole body will thank you! 🌿

#TheNaturalStackBook #BreathWork #PosturalHealth #LymphaticHealth #NaturalMovement #wellnessjourney

Ever wondered why your neck feels so important? He

Ever wondered why your neck feels so important? Here's something fascinating! 💡

Your neck is home to an amazing nerve called the phrenic nerve - think of it as your breathing's best friend. When your neck gets squeezed and scrunched (hello phone scrolling and desk work! 📱), it disrupts Your Body's Natural Stack™ - affecting your breathing, blood flow, and natural drainage system all at once.

Here's what can happen when your neck gets tight (we've all been there!):

• Feeling like you can't get a full breath
• That nagging tension in your head and jaw
• Those shallow breaths that trigger anxious feelings
• Brain fog and morning puffiness
• That "tech neck" ache that won't quit

Ever notice how anxiety makes your neck tense, but then that tight neck makes you feel more anxious? When Your Body's Natural Stack™ is disrupted, it's like a domino effect - but one you can reset! 🌟

The good news? Your neck can get back to feeling great with some simple care. Think better posture, gentle stretches, and some hands-on help if you need it.

Quick tip: Next time you're feeling stressed, foggy, or puffy, check in with your neck. Give it some love - Your Body's Natural Stack™ will thank you! 🌿

#NeckCare
#WellnessJourney #HealthyHabits
#AnxietyRelief
#NeckPainRelief #ThyroidSupport #HeadacheRelief
#holistichealth
#preventchronicpain
#posturematters
#bodyawareness
#naturalstack

✨ When Body Patterns Tell a Deeper Story

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