Most of us know tension well.
It shows up as tight shoulders at the end of the day. A clenched jaw in difficult conversations. A knot in the stomach before making a decision. Often, our first instinct is to get rid of it. We stretch, distract ourselves, push on, or quietly criticise ourselves for not feeling more relaxed.
Modern life encourages us to see tension as a problem to be fixed.
From a Huna perspective, tension tells a different story.
In Huna, tension is not seen as something going wrong. It is seen as communication.
The body tightens when something inside us is not aligned. A part of us wants to move forward, speak up, or change direction. Another part is cautious, uncertain, or trying to protect us from harm. The body becomes the meeting place where that inner disagreement is expressed.
Tension, then, is not an enemy. It is a message.
When we treat tension as something to fight or suppress, we miss what it is trying to tell us. When we listen to it, even gently, it often begins to soften on its own.
One of the core insights in Huna is that the body and the subconscious mind respond more quickly than conscious thought. We may talk ourselves into being fine, while the body quietly holds a different truth.
You might notice this when you agree to something that does not quite feel right. Your words say yes, but your shoulders tighten. Or when you delay an important conversation and feel a steady ache in your chest or throat.
The body often knows there is a conflict before we are willing to admit it.
This does not mean the body is trying to stop us. More often, it is asking to be included in the conversation.
Huna teaches that conflict creates contraction. Not conflict in the sense of arguments with others, but inner conflict.
When two ideas, values, or impulses pull in different directions, energy tightens. Muscles contract. Breath becomes shallow. Over time, this pattern can settle into chronic tension or discomfort.
For example:
None of these are wrong. They are human. The tension arises not because you are failing, but because different parts of you are trying to help in different ways.
One of the most interesting things about tension is what happens when we stop trying to get rid of it.
The moment we bring gentle awareness to tension, something shifts. The body senses that it has been noticed. The struggle eases.
This is a central Huna principle. Where attention goes, energy flows.
Awareness is not the same as forcing relaxation. It is more like saying, “I am listening.”
When tension feels heard, it often no longer needs to shout.
Here is a small practice you can explore.
Notice where tension gathers most often in your body. It might be the neck, the jaw, the lower back, or the stomach.
Instead of forcing it to relax, try saying inwardly, “I hear you.”
Then pause and get curious.
You might notice an emotion beneath the tension. Fear. Sadness. Frustration. Or simply tiredness. You might notice a memory, an image, or a thought connected to it.
There is no need to analyse or fix anything. Just notice.
Often, the body is not asking for action straight away. It is asking for acknowledgement.
Another helpful reframe from Huna is to see tension as protective rather than obstructive.
At some point, the tightening made sense. It was a way to stay safe, cope, or endure something difficult. Even if that strategy is no longer needed, the body does not know that until it is shown another option.
Approaching tension with kindness rather than frustration allows the body to update its understanding. Safety is felt, not argued.
When the body feels safe, it relaxes naturally.
Here are a few simple ways to work with tension in everyday life.
1. The pause and name
When you notice tension, pause for a moment and gently name it. “Tightness in my chest.” “Pressure in my shoulders.” Naming brings awareness without judgement.
2. The question
Ask quietly, “What are you trying to help me with?” Then wait. An answer may come as a feeling, a word, or simply a sense of knowing.
3. Breathing with inclusion
Breathe into the area of tension as if you are making space for it rather than trying to push it away. Let the breath include it.
4. Aftercare awareness
Notice what the tension needs. Rest. Reassurance. Movement. Expression. Sometimes the answer is surprisingly simple.
These are not techniques to force change. They are ways of building a relationship.
One of the quiet gifts of listening to tension is that choice returns.
When we ignore tension, we tend to react automatically. When we listen, we regain the ability to choose how to respond. We might still take the same action, but we do so with greater clarity and self-respect.
In Huna, this is empowerment. Not control, but conscious relationship with ourselves and with life.
Over time, working with tension in this way changes how we move through the world. The body becomes a partner rather than an obstacle. Signals arrive earlier and with less intensity. Trust grows.
Tension does not disappear from life. But it no longer needs to harden into suffering.
It becomes guidance.
If tension shows up in your life, it does not mean you are doing something wrong. It may mean something inside you is asking for attention, honesty, or care.
The next time you feel that familiar tightening, see what happens if you pause and listen instead of pushing on.
You may discover that tension has wisdom, and that it has been waiting patiently for you to hear it.
