Is body scan meditation the same as progressive muscle relaxation?

Related but different. Progressive muscle relaxation (PMR) involves actively tensing each muscle group for 5 to 10 seconds, then releasing — creating relaxation through the contrast between tension and release. Body scan meditation is passive awareness. You notice sensations in each body part without physically engaging or changing anything. You’re observing, not doing. Both reduce tension, but through different mechanisms. PMR works at the muscular level — physically releasing contracted muscles. Body scan works at the nervous system level — training your brain to notice tension patterns and naturally soften its response. Some people find PMR easier to start with because there’s a clear physical action. Body scan requires more attention skill but often produces deeper results over time.