Relaxing and Releasing Tension
This class is not essential for the minority of people for whom focused relaxation comes naturally. These lucky people can easily release muscle tension and quiet the mind. The rest of us, however, may only relax when we're falling asleep, watching TV, or looking at the sunset, as in this picture by Art Fabian.

The trick is to relax AND at the same time stay focused on a single thought or tuned into the core of who we really are when we stop our mind-chatter.

Just as I didn't know for many years that I wasn't breathing properly, it was many years before I realized I didn't know how to experience this special kind of relaxation. What I have now learned, and want to pass on to you, is that relaxation is an essential skill if you want to control anxiety, reduce pain and take full advantage of imagery techniques. 

The Relationship Between Relaxation and Imagery Techniques
As you have undoubtedly heard dozens of times, a constant state of anxiety or defensiveness creates muscle tension that builds up, over a period of time, until the person experiences problems that range from headaches and backaches to constipation and insomnia. This does not mean tension alone causes disease (see The Mind/Body Connection), but it does point to the need, on a purely physical level, to learn relaxation skills in order to reduce or eliminate further tension-related problems. However, another benefit of learning focused relaxation, as formerly-tense people will attest, is that inner peace and serenity.

The value of relaxation for body, mind and soul rests upon the fact that you can't hold more than one thought at a time. During most of the day your mind is occupied with your responsibilities and on the relative importance you place on your wealth, status and opinions. However, when you consciously relax, you disconnect the neurons that keep your mind stirred up by constantly reviewing (and thus reinforcing) these thoughts. Further, when you focus on relaxing rather than on thinking, your muscles, previously controlled by your thoughts, are able to release their tension. Consequently, your body can move into a state of quiet, healing equilibrium, which allows you to be receptive to the insights and peace that lie at the center of your being. The more often you practice becoming quiet and still, the more easily and quickly you will create new (calmer) pathways for the neurons to travel. 

Experimenting with Relaxation Techniques
In order to develop the ability to do focused relaxation, all you need is the incentive to learn and the willingness to make the practice of relaxation a conscious and daily part of health maintenance. You may need to experiment with a number of techniques, however, before you find one that fits you best. I discuss several of these methods to give you an idea of some ways you can start disconnecting those tension-building neurons. You can also use these ideas as a substitute for relaxation instructions on an imagery tape to which you are listening, because there are sometimes occasions when you may not care for the particular approach used by a guide on the tape, but would still like to use it for other reasons. (An additional resource for learning a variety of techniques is The Relaxation and Stress Reduction Workbook, by Martha Davis, Elizabeth Eshelman and Matthew McKay.)