In-Tension - Move Better, Feel Great

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In-Tension - Move Better, Feel Great

Cara Leyten. Corrective Movement Specialist for pain and posture. Chronic Pain • Ageing Bodies • Athletes

In my late teens I experienced a life changing BMX crash; what seemed at the time like a short-term hindrance to my sport, ended up being the chronic back injury I would battle for years. Never did I expect to get to my late twenties and be hospitalised twice for reinjury, be on bed rest for months at a time, rely on a walking frame just to get me to the bathroom, or to have my parents dressing me. I completed all standard pathways for rehabilitation with no long-term success, but I was not willing to accept that this would be my life. I felt there must be another solution and I was determined to find it. This led me to complete a Bachelor of Sport and Exercise (major in Exercise Prescription and Training), become a Senior Sports Therapist at Xalt Sport Performance Centre, and attain a Master’s in Health Science with Distinction. Through this journey I discovered a great passion for correcting muscle imbalances; helping to improve a body’s alignment and movement patterns. Not only was it making an impact on my back pain, but it was proving to be life changing for many of my clients. The most common question I have received from others, is one that I first asked myself when I learnt of this topic: “Why has no one else taught me this before?”

I decided to build my own business that specialises in this area, using both evidence-based practice and real-life case studies to educate as many people as I can. It is my mission to help people become passionate about the way their body moves; to move right, so that you can feel your best, for life.

02/04/2026

04/03/2026

We got married!!! 💍😍 it’s been a quiet little spell here on the IN-TENSION socials while life and the wedding kept me busy, but I’m ready to get back into it.

Here are a few highlights from the big day. Of course IN-TENSION's receptionists Fudge and Frankie were in the bridal party and absolutely stole the show 🐾

Still Cara Leyten for business, Cara Vance for all life's other bits & bobs 😎

22/12/2025

Cupping has changed my life. Truly. My personal journey with cupping started with Charlie .therapynz 🫶
I had a severe flare up, barely able to walk. She introduced me to cupping and DAMN! It helped instantly (amongst some of her other magic that she does). I got off the table and bent forward to put my shoes on so effortlessly and was shook! Cupping was the only thing that had EVER been effective in relieving my pain.

I then completed a cupping course and learnt as much as I could. I found out theyre not only effective for pain relief, but for so much more. I now use them regularly with clients to help them achieve their goals.

Some ways you and I may use cupping in your corrective movement journey 👇

- Immediately reduce pain or discomfort.

- Encourage relaxation of overactive or protective tissues, helping your body let go of unnecessary tension and enabling freer, more efficient movement patterns.

- Promote a sense of improved circulation and tissue mobility, which people often describe as feeling “lighter” or “looser” through the area.

- Support nervous system down-regulation, to assist in reducing muscle guarding or protective movement behaviours.

- Increase body awareness.

- Re-educate how the body recruits/coordinates certain muscles.

- Enhance the overall effectiveness of retraining sessions by preparing tissues for loading, stretching, or activation work that follows.

19/12/2025

And she deserves it all ❤️ Who else's dog thinks its time for pats as soon as you get on the floor? Probably every dog owner here let's be real 😂

Anyway here's a quick hip sesh

16/12/2025

And of course, brushing up on some key elements of my online posture programme 😏

11/12/2025

Final days of my Christmas Giveaway 🎄🎁💃
Win a $300 posture & release bundle:

Foam roller, posture half round rollers, peanut ball/roller, acupressure ball, Tui Balms kit (warming balm, cooling balm, and foot balm), foot roller, firm resistance band, skipping rope... the works!
+ Tips on how to get the most out of all the tools 😎

That's CHRISTMAS for you and your friends/fam SORTED ✅️

HOW TO ENTER:

Sign up to any of my online programmes (gain 1 entry per programme) by 6PM Monday 15 Dec.
Winner will be sent their prize in time for Christmas 🙌

(Giveaway open to NZ only)

Comment FREEDOM to start feeling better and go in the draw.
Or head to the link in my bio

P.S. if you start a programme now you WILL feel better by the New Year! 😍

25/11/2025

Get your posture sorted by Christmas ⬇️

1. Open your chest (30s is all it takes!)

2. Move your spine (in all directions)

3. Walk (any duration)

4. Quick check ins: 3 second realignment drill (comment REALIGN for my free tutorial)

Screenshot the vid for a break down of each of the above.

BONUS #5
Join my online Posture Program for the full guide to good posture and a happy body for life. Comment POSTURE and I'll send you the link

19/10/2025

Why you'll WANT to be doing this! ↓
For posture, pain, hypermobility, sport performance, everything.

Its so simple and looks easy... but it isn't. And if it is... your bands are too light, you're not standing far enough away, or you're not bracing properly!).

1. Your whole backline and your deep core have to work hard to stop the band pulling you forward. This means its targeting your key postural muscles.

2. Apart from the marching, the exercise is isometric. Meaning your muscles are working without changing length or changing your position. This builds ENDURANCE.

3. Excellent for joints. The isometric hold forces all tissue to stabilise your joints properly, without having to move through any painful ranges of motion (except for the lifting leg). So joint pain when moving? Joint restrictions? Hypermobility? DO THIS!!

4. All of the above, plus the single legged balance and coordination components means that you're also getting neural retraining (not just physical). This helps neural pathways to fire better, improving how well your brain and body communicate (which is very important for chronic pain and confidence building!).

Note: this can be done seated if standing hurts/ isn't possible

16/10/2025

The truth is, to rebalance your body, you have to train in imbalance. That means deliberately putting your body into offsetted and asymmetrical positions and movements so it learns to stabilise, adapt, and realign.

You want to train with movements and positions that highlight your imbalances, then build on the confidence and capability to work against them.

Over time, your body learns to self-correct, rebuild confidence, and balance itself.

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Website

http://www.intension.co.nz/, https://www.intension.co.nz/online-programmes/

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