Tension and stretching

In scientific parlance, tension and stretching both imply the same thing. If something is under tension it is being stretched.

In internal arts parlance, tension and stretching mean entirely different things. If you are tense you are closed off, shutdown, tight. When you are stretched you are opened up, loose and elongated.

As a scientist therefore, you must bearing in mind, that when the next enthusiasticly, healthful hippie talks to you about tension they are really talking about compression.