If there’s one thing I can say about myself, it’s this…

I am a constant learner.

Not just for me — but for you.
For every client, every class, every woman who trusts me with her body and her health.

And sometimes… that means putting my ego aside.

Because when you’ve been teaching something for years, and then you realize there’s a better way — it can be humbling.

For me, that “aha” has been around stretching.

For years, we’ve been told:
Stretch more. Hold longer. Push deeper.

But what I’ve learned at a deeper level is this:

Stretching doesn’t actually teach your body how to relax.

In fact, when you stretch, your body can interpret that as a threat —
which causes it to tighten and contract to protect you.

Now there is some nuane here because some people can relax into stretching while others think they are stretching and relaxing but they aren't.  I've personally experienced this with clients - they are holding, not stretching and if you know what I mean, you know what I mean!

That’s why so many people stretch consistently and only see small, temporary changes.

It’s also why discovering foam rolling, fascia work, and Pilates was such a turning point for me.
Because that’s where I started to truly understand:

👉 how to work with the body, not against it
👉 how to build awareness
👉 how to connect the brain to the muscles

And many of you already know — I’m always searching for the best ways to help you feel better.

Because pain is real.
And it sucks.

I’ve had it too…
knee pain, back pain, shoulder pain…

And even with all my tools — rolling, breathing, movement — I recently discovered an even deeper layer.

And that’s what we’re going to be exploring in May. 💛

You’ve probably heard me say this in class:

“The faster you move, the worse it is.”

And I truly mean that.

Because when it comes to getting out of pain…

It’s not about pushing harder.
It’s about slowing down.

The slower you move…
The more aware you become…
The more you learn how to gently contract and fully release a muscle…

The more you send a message to your brain:

“I’m safe.”

And when your body feels safe —
that’s when it finally lets go of tension.

Sometimes it even feels like you’re not doing much at all…

But the results?
They can be profound.

I’ll share something personal.

I was dealing with pain in the back of my right ribs - it was  dull dense constant contracted pain that stayed with me most of the days until I would go a get it treated only for it to return within a few days. I was going for treatments (which add up quickly and personally I'd rather go to a massage (or any of the other body treatments I love getting - yes I do get body treatments!) to promote relaxation than to stop being in pain!), and I kept asking:

“What can I do differently so this doesn’t keep coming back?”...I'd ask every person I saw....

And then one practitioner finally said something that stopped me in my tracks:

“You’re not breathing into the back of your right ribs… that area isn’t responding.”

And it made so much sense.

I had felt like taking a massage gun to the area and pounding the pain away - and that's the opposite of what it actually needed.

Think about this…

If you walked around all day holding a bicep curl — constantly contracted — that muscle would become tight, shortened, and achy.

That’s exactly what’s happening in parts of our bodies every day…and that's what was going on with my right back lower ribs (or any other part of my body that feels dense pain)
just on a subconscious level.

Because of how we sit.
How we stand.
How we move (or don’t move).

Some muscles are overworking.
Others are barely turning on.

And you can’t fix that by forcing a stretch.

You have to reconnect the brain to the body.
You have to teach those muscles how to turn on… and how to let go.

That’s what I’ve been doing through Pilates, fascia work, and rolling…

And now I’m adding an entirely new layer to it.

And I’m so excited to bring this into our May pain series.

Because this isn’t just about movement.

It’s about retraining your body to feel safe, balanced, and pain-free again.

And once you feel that difference…
you’ll never want to go back.

More to come 💛
Tanya

Helpful posts to read:

https://vibrant-living-with-tanya.mykajabi.com/blog/what-is-pandiculation

https://vibrant-living-with-tanya.mykajabi.com/blog/should-we-stop-stretching

https://vibrant-living-with-tanya.mykajabi.com/blog/how-the-nervous-system-learns-pain

https://vibrant-living-with-tanya.mykajabi.com/blog/adrugfreewaytorelievepainandwhatis-itis

https://vibrant-living-with-tanya.mykajabi.com/blog/this-is-why-your-posture-won-t-change

https://vibrant-living-with-tanya.mykajabi.com/blog/tell-me-exactly-what-to-do-to-get-out-of-pain

Join The Vibrant Living Academy where I go deeper into this work and more https://vibrant-living-with-tanya.mykajabi.com/vibrant-living-studio 

Peptides Beginner's Guide https://vibrant-living-with-tanya.mykajabi.com/peptidesbegguide   

My Favourite Products:

LifeWave Phototherapy Patches  

Using your own light - how cool is that?? to improve your health & wellbeing click here https://vibrant-living-with-tanya.mykajabi.com/phototherapy 

Upgrade your Multi, omegas, collagen supplements

Want collagen, omegas and more to improve your health and wellbeing - check out VitalHealth, click here and ask me any questions.

Living Libations for skin, hair and teeth care & red light, ⁠click here ⁠ 

Organo Mushroom Tea and Coffee - Thank you for shopping at my store, ⁠click here to enter.   ⁠ 

Vibe Device - Your pocket sized health device, ⁠click here ⁠for $150 OFF plus free shipping - Pocket Therapy for anxiety, insomnia, pain allergies, asthma, trauma, earthing/grounding and so much more 

Luminate ⁠ click here⁠  Juice Plus+ Luminate is a plant-based drink mix designed to support cognitive function, clarity, and energy. It combines natural caffeine from coffee berry with nootropics and adaptogens like Lion's Mane, Ashwagandha, and Rhodiola to provide mental focus and alertness without jitters. 

Pure Cocoa Rocks - great for smoothies, lattes and a natural energy boost!, ⁠click here⁠ 

Grounding Pads & Blankets - ⁠shop here ⁠from Earthing Canada.   

I got this for a gift one year and have ordered ever since - TruLocal - cleaner meat,⁠ shop here⁠ 

When you use this coupon   https://trulocal.ca/get-started/promo/TANYA67659 you will get: ⚡$75.00 off their first Mega box, ⚡$60.00 off their first Family box, or ⚡$30.00 off their first Starter box.

Connect with me: 

Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/vibrantlivingwithtanya/⁠⁠⁠⁠ 

Facebook: ⁠https://www.facebook.com/tanya.willis.18⁠

YouTube https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCuRI4yPidiK2SpdGAXffOWA

Email me: ⁠tanya@moveyourbody.ca ⁠ 

Menopause Made Easy Podcast with Tanya:

https://open.spotify.com/show/7kxh1LQ7Ol7yuoy576PbkF

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/menopause-made-easy-with-tanya/id1661982133

Many of the reference links are from the work of Sam Miller - Posture DoJo