Connecting
To provide, and receive, a quality massage, a two-way energetic connection needs to be established in a therapeutic session. Similar to the model of a communication loop, each party in a conversation is sending and receiving information. A therapist can simply begin a session using a protocol without “listening to the body” with a proper connection. I notice that some therapist use “functional moves”: strokes that are performed simply to spread oil on the body. Often, they are performed quickly and to my perception, mindlessly. Also, if strokes are too rapid, the client’s nervous system will not “feel” sufficiently to induce the parasympathetic response in which deep relaxation occurs. It is this response that one feels restored, rejuvenated, peaceful and calm.
The client may also not be connected as well. Worries of the moment and mental stress flood consciousness and keep the sensory mechanoreceptors from “feeling” effectively. Therefore, it always helps to communicate what is going on to some degree, as awareness and “venting” will help you get it off your chest. With “bodymind” massage, I encourage clients to communicate their feelings, state the intention of what they wish to feel and help them reframe their experience. Is tension experienced in a particular area related to mental or emotional stress? Therapeutic massage needs to take into account all aspects of being and is evolving to include body, mind, and spirit.
Best massage?
I often wonder what a reader will think when they see “best massage”. How does one get to refer to their massage as the best. Perhaps I joined the “I’m going to hype myself” group like others that hyperbolize their efforts. I know how you feel, I think. Hype always gets the New York “BS” alarm sounding in me. Or perhaps “b” comes right after “a” in the phonebook, so Best Massage would be one of the first listings. How about “AAA” massage? But knowing how bonds with that rating are faring these days, that doesn’t count for much either.
First, I’ll say that my intention in selecting this address was to get a few friends that I’ve worked with and team together to promote ourselves… but that didn’t happen. Not yet anyway. We worked together at certain high-end resort spas in San Diego and why not provide the rest of the population with what only a few experience?
Well, I was able to get the domain, so I snatched it. Especially when my previous domain, bodymindtherapy.net, was surrendered and is now being auctioned for a high price. So now I must hype…future posts will require shovels!