Shaking the body

Shaking is something an animal does by itself once danger has passed — and something people almost always interrupt because it feels inappropriate. You do it standing: start with the hands, move on to the arms, shoulders and legs, and finally shake everything at once for a minute or two. You can add an out-breath through the mouth with sound. It feels awkward at first, so it is better done alone. Afterwards it is normal for your legs to tremble slightly or for you to feel cold — a sign that something in the body has shifted, not that you did it wrong.

When to use it

After an argument, after a tense meeting, when you feel »full« and can’t concentrate. Animals shake themselves after danger; humans interrupt that out of politeness.

How it goes

1. Stand with your feet apart, knees slightly soft.
2. Start with your arms: shake your hands, then forearms, then shoulders.
3. Add your legs and your whole torso. Let it be untidy.
4. After two minutes, stop and stand still for thirty seconds, watching what happens.

Why it works

Mobilised energy that wasn’t spent remains as tension. Movement uses it up faster than talking does.