MME Podcast Season 3 Episode 5:

Recently, while teaching a workshop, I watched a participant transform her handstand—just by not squeezing her glutes.She had been told, as so many of us have, that engaging everything tightly—glutes, abs, shoulders—was the path to better balance. But when she softened that approach and focused instead on alignment and direction, she found new ease in her movement. In fact, she said it was the best her handstand had ever felt.This week's podcast episode is called The Tension Trap: Rethinking Engage and Squeeze in Movement. It’s all about how we often fall into the habit of over-recruiting muscles in an effort to feel “stable,” and how that can actually limit movement quality, coordination, and long-term adaptability.If you’ve ever been told to “engage your core” before you move, or to “squeeze your glutes” to protect your back, this episode is for you.We explore:* Why tension isn't the same thing as control* How chronic muscle gripping (especially in the glutes or pelvic floor) can lead to discomfort* What your nervous system actually needs for efficient, coordinated movement* How external focus and directional intention can support natural engagement (without force)I also walk you through a simple roll-up experiment to feel the difference between tension-driven movement and movement shaped by intention and rhythm. Spoiler: one of them feels a lot better—and often works better, too.🎧 Listen to the episode aboveor search Mindfulness, Movement, and Exercise wherever you get your podcasts.If this resonates, feel free to forward it to a fellow mover, teacher, or over-squeezer.In movement,JennP.S.—Interested in learning more about the upcoming handstand course? Learn more here. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit jennpilotti.substack.com/subscribe