On Being Present

Local craniosacral therapist and teacher Don Ash wrote a book called “Lessons from the Sessions,” chronicling the important things that he learned about healing work from being in session with his clients. I feel as though most bodyworkers could write volumes on the same subject. Of all my learning experiences, some of my greatest teachers have been the beautiful souls who have graced my massage table.

I wish I could tell you all that I learn from just one session with a client.  How freeing a feeling it is to lift the weight of one’s stress from the body, simply by breathing, and talking of life experiences – or not talking at all, and embracing the magic of letting go. We hold emotions in our bodies. We hold back thoughts and feelings that we perhaps don’t trust others to accept. We keep tension so locked up in our tissues that we sometimes even forget the experience that put the knots there. But the body doesn’t lie. And while I quietly learn the story of your journey through what I feel in my hands, I’m also listening. I’m listening to your breathing becoming more regular, your questions as I find an area of soreness that you may or may not have realized was there, I’m listening to whatever you want to tell me.  I’m not a psychotherapist, I can’t offer advice or solutions, but what I can give you is my presence.

How often in your day can you say you have someone’s undivided attention?  I’m not checking my phone for text messages, I’m not distracted by other things in the room, I’m not mentally composing what I’m going to say when you finish speaking – for if you’re speaking at all, it’s not to carry on a discussion, it’s to be heard.  I am with you in your body’s healing process, to remind you that health is a combination of body, mind, and spirit wellness. It’s profound work that you’re doing on the table, and I am profoundly honored that you trust me to be a part of it, even for an hour.

I wish I could tell you the stories I’ve heard. Stories of families, friends, struggles and triumphs, of adventures and life-changing moments in time.  Everyone has a story to tell, and my job has taught me above all to be a better listener. Being present with people makes you part of the experience, rather than simply a witness to someone else’s existence. Putting yourself in the moment with someone means that, for even a brief time, you’re not worrying about things that haven’t happened yet, or reliving something that has already become a part of your past. It means that this moment, right now, is the most important thing, and the person or people with whom you are sharing this moment, are the most important. Imagine being the most important thing to someone, right here, right now. Couldn’t we all use more of that feeling?

When In Doubt, Breathe With It.

It’s not uncommon when I’m working on a client, to come across a knot – a little spot in the belly of a muscle that somehow missed the message that it doesn’t need to contract anymore, and is stuck in a state of tension.  What I notice, when I start going to work on these knots, is that my client will hold their breath.  Their reaction to my locating this often painful, bean-sized offender will range from, “Ooh!” to, “What is that?” and sometimes even, “There it is!” And whether these are spoken or silent reactions, the natural accompanying reaction is to hold one’s breath, and wait for it to go away.

Why I don’t Do House Calls

It hasn’t happened very often in my career, but once in a while someone asks me if I do house calls. Many times, upon hearing that I do not, I’ve been met with surprised responses:  “Really?  I’m sure lots of people would love to have a massage in the comfort and privacy of their own home.”  “It seems like you could make a lot of money just doing house calls.”  Both valid points.  And there are certainly some massage therapists who do make a very good living traveling to people’s homes to give them bodywork treatments.  I, however, have chosen not to, for a few, equally valid, reasons.

On the Integration of My Bodywork Practice with Herbal Medicine

In early 2012 I  began a period of self-exploration which included my career and my personal needs.  I was busy working my two jobs, balancing the career I loved with the steady paycheck that came with a stable retail job. I was comfortable with my skills, and I was building my reputation with the local community.  Still, I was wondering when my chance would finally come to break away from the work I had to do to survive, and finally set about doing the work I love to do, full-time.

Up until that time the thought of becoming an herbalist had never crossed my mind.  The suggestion took root in me one day as the mention of herbalism came up in a casual conversation. That day a voice somewhere inside me suddenly said something:

“Herbalist.  I could do that.”

What’s the Difference Between a Relaxation and a Deep Tissue Massage?

Like many massage therapists, my two most often requested services are Relaxation Massage, and Deep Tissue Massage.  These are offerings that can be found on just about any massage service menu, anywhere in the country.  And in my years working on people, I still sometimes have trouble summing up the difference between the two, when discussing which massage a client should choose.  However, it’s good to know the basic differences between the two, so that if you’ve never had a massage before, or even if you are accustomed to having them, you can make an informed decision as to which massage will suit your needs.  So, here is my (lengthy) explanation of how my massages differ from one another.