How many of you have woken up in the morning feeling stiff and achy? Maybe you thought you slept wrong or that you need a new mattress?

Perhaps by the time you stumbled to the coffee pot it starts to go away, usually by mid-day its gone. Anatomist Gil Hedley refers to this as The Fuzz.

When we sleep at night, our bodies develop what Gil refers to as fuzz – fascia that has gained a bit of solidity to support the body during sleep. When we get up the next morning, movement liquifies fascia. If, however, we do not move or don’t move enough when we are awake, the layers of fuzz build up. Overtime, this solidifies layer upon layer of fuzz, producing a stiff or achy quality.

Let's take this a step further.

Our body has what is referred to as a Valve System. This system is a series of valves, or diaphragms, whose movement facilitates transportation and motility of fluid, hormones, fuel, etc., and regulates our internal pressure.

In a parasympathetic state, the movement of these valves is coordinated and allows the systems of the body to work as a team. For example, the heart is wrapped in a layer of fascia called the pericardium. The pericardium is attached to the diaphragm. This means that the movement of the diaphragm and the movement of the heart work together to facilitate each other’s function. This allows for efficiency.

In a sympathetic state, however, the valves either change the way in which they move and become less adaptable in their speed, leading to less coordination and efficiency. Or they stop moving all together. If I am truly in a fight-or-flight situation, this can be very helpful. If I am not, overtime, I begin to develop issues that can present as movement difficulties or mental or physical dis-ease.

More specifically, the slowing of the valve system contributes to dehydration of fascia. Dehydrated fascia is often experienced as achy, sore or stiff. It also means that my valve system is slower to adapt. So when I wake up in the morning, my fuzz doesn’t readily liquify. It takes more movement to get me going.

Moral of the story? Move! And map your Valve System. There are guided audio visualizations available in the members Virtual Studio. One is available now, with new ones releasing every month for the next 6-months.

Onwards, Amy