On the doctor’s advice
It often happens that people come to me for a CANTIENICA® session on their doctor’s recommendation. They don’t come of their own accord, but rather out of a sense of obligation that their doctor has suggested to them. In such cases, I often have only one hour to explain the root cause of their physical symptoms and motivate them to practice self-care.

Body Perception and Self-Criticism
To begin with, I ask clients to describe their complaints and their perspective on their own bodies, which usually boils down to describing symptoms. Their self-assessments are often accompanied by a very critical, not exactly benevolent view of their own bodies. Then I have the person sit on a stool, take a side-view photo of them with my tablet, sit down next to them, and show them the picture, which is initially met with rejection: “Oh, I’m ugly,” “Yeah, yeah, I’ve always looked like this.” Embarrassment and discomfort set in; they don’t like looking at the picture.

A loving approach to self-criticism
I say lovingly, “No, your body can hear that.” Then I use a pen to mark on the screen roughly where the ischial tuberosity is, the center of the humerus, the ear. Then an approximate vertical line above the ischial tuberosity—you can already see how the body has slumped forward, the distance between the humerus and the sternum, where the head is hanging, etc. Embarrassment, still resistance.

Exploring Body Structure
I sit down next to the client and have them feel my shoulder blade and place their hand on it. I sit up straight: “Now feel what happens to my shoulder blade when I lean forward.” I repeat the movement several times, try to lift my arm, and let the client feel what’s causing the blockage. This is met with amazement. Many people are unaware of these connections. I continue by explaining the anatomical connections—such as the psoas, pelvic floor, and diaphragm—using the drawings.

A Journey of Discovery into Your Own Body
Now let’s begin with the exercises. I gently and patiently guide clients on their journey toward body awareness. I encourage them to feel and discover. Soon, a movement emerges, and a sense of lightness sets in. “It’s tugging,” “it hurts,” they say. It’s the stretch they’re feeling. Relief and a sigh follow, followed by amazement at the new possibilities. “You’re reclaiming your space,” I say encouragingly.

Visualizing Progress
It’s a gentle yet determined journey that I’m leading. At the end, we sit back down on the stool, and I take another side view. I sketch the sitting bones, upper arm bones, and ear again and connect them with a line. Amazement spreads. Within an hour, her posture has visibly improved—her sternum and chest are lifted, and thanks to the tablet, this is immediately apparent.

Motivation and Validation
I send the before-and-after photos to clients on their smartphones for validation and further motivation. Even if they already feel different, their self-perception might still be in doubt. Visual proof, however, leaves no room for doubt. The goal is to challenge their self-perception, which often meets with considerable resistance. If clients can be convinced of their own potential during a training session, this is a small step for the individual, but a big one toward taking personal responsibility.