Article and photos 

by Susie Griffin, 

Griffin Wellness Solutions



The word resistance is generally associated with having a negative effect on and impeding forward movement. Its descriptors include strong words such as violent, aggressive, opposition and defend. Resistance is what we, in life, are often encouraged to avoid, such as in the saying, “take the path of least resistance.” Meaning, choose the easiest way to continue with the least amount of effort. If during the majority of our lives we adopt that mindset, we are susceptible to the coaching proverb, “what resists, persists.”

However, in my world of coaching clients through change and teaching massage students, I encourage both groups, clients and students, to do the opposite – lean into the resistance. Just as the quote above alludes to, and similar to my own adage, “sometimes my biggest have-to’s have led to my greatest breakthroughs,” addressing and tackling what we’ve been resisting can result in release, relief, greater flow and momentum moving forward – mentally, emotionally and physically. 

In the Therapeutic Massage Program at Northland Pioneer College’s SCC, the students in my class are challenged to use their senses of seeing, hearing, and feeling to discern unproductive resistance in their body, possibly prohibiting full potential in mind, body and spirit. They use assessment, communication and palpation skills in combination with active listening and interviewing techniques to create a treatment plan that aims to address and release resistance. During their current clinical, which is their last program commitment before graduating at the end of July, they have the opportunity to practice this “challenge” with the public. (Visit www.massagebook.com/biz/npc for more information and to schedule a massage appointment in the student massage clinic). After graduating, they are tasked to pass a national knowledge test before they apply for the state licensure. (For more information about the TMP at NPC, visit https://www.npc.edu/therapeutic-massage). 

In my March 2024 Outdoors SW article, Life Lessons Learned on the Mountain Bike, I highlighted five life lessons (Look Where You Want to Go, Pedal Pedal Pedal, Light Hands – Heavy Feet, Practice Balance and Sessioning), learned on the mountain bike. Recently, with participants in the Ladies Two-Wheel Adventures mountain bike group I formed in March of this year, we put those life lessons to the test, sessioning difficult trail passages in the TRACKS trail system, Buena Vista. Strewn with natural obstacles – rocks, corners, flora, inclines and descents, these “features” presented a lot of resistance to flow. 

There were five of us all taking turns down a rocky section on the Wild Horses trail. We all had our resistance to address and release, be it mental or physical. Amy, whose mantra is “eyes up,” or Lesson One in the March article, is captured putting her mantra into practice. In picture one she demonstrates a quick glance to determine her line of travel. In picture two she is looking ahead at the next section. In picture three we can now see a bit of resistance demonstrated in her straight arms and shrugged shoulders. However, her eyes are still looking forward, helping to offset the resistance in her shoulders, arms and hands, and to maintain momentum down that line of travel she created in picture one. Employing and practicing Lesson Three (Light Hands – Heavy Feet) by releasing and relaxing her shoulders, lightening the grip on the handlebars (Light Hands) and moving that energy down into her legs and feet (Heavy Feet), she can experience success on more technical passages. 

If you or a lady you know is interested in joining us adventuring on two-wheels, mountain biking in the White Mountains and beyond, please visit us on our Facebook page: Ladies Two-Wheel Adventures. 

Tally Ho!