CHAPTER 1
OUR CALLING
We all have callings. We all have our hobbies and personal joys, and some of us are lucky enough to make a living doing something we love. We come from different walks of life, and this career offers so much. There is such a variety of modalities and specialties on which to focus. Some would say that you are born with the skill of a nurturing touch, but I believe that it is the intent behind the touch. If you have the desire to help, it can be felt in your touch. And this is a gift to share. So don't think you have to be born with this healing touch, because it is all about your intention. If you have love in your heart to share, people will feel this through your work.
In this line of work, we set our stage with our presence. Presence is a conscious effort and intent in being available. This is where it all begins. In this crazy world, we can get caught up in life and feel alone and helpless. There truly isn't anything more healing than a reminder that people are there for you, to be that gentle hand that rests on your shoulder to say that it's OK. It's OK to let go. You are safe in this space. We can rush and rush in our busy lives, but when those hands rest upon us, we can finally take a deep breath and remember to let go of all the ridiculousness and allow in what truly matters. We can allow our minds to slow down and our bodies to soften. We can put the brakes on our daily stresses, routines, and on life in general, to just stop for a moment and be present in our body.
The beauty of this profession is that it's open to all: man or woman, creative or intellectual, young or old. You don't have to spend four years in college and create a lifetime of debt to become a massage therapist or a bodyworker. There are so many massage and bodywork schools across the globe. They can offer flexible schedules and affordable tuition. And once you obtain that education, there are so many directions that massage therapy can take you.
It always starts with the basics. You get set up with the proper tools and move on to find your special touch. Then you eventually learn about different modalities. You discover the essence of essential oils or tap into Chinese medicine. Or maybe you choose an avenue of spa treatments to learn and have an interest in the healing properties of other cultures and worldly teachings. It's only a matter of time before you find your niche. Or you can continuously up your game and add more specialties into your toolbox of modalities. That's the thrill of this profession. You can enjoy the ride and just gather skills along the way.
New modalities are always developing in this field. This specialized occupation is constantly progressing and expanding. The sky is not the limit when it comes to specific modalities and skills in bodywork or your opportunities. The more you integrate and add to your menu of skills, the more people you can help and build onto your business. It is such a blessing that continuing education is required for all of us to keep our certifications and licenses in good standings. How fun is it that we can continue to learn new things and expand our skills as a requirement? Being required to take more classes helps break up our routines and teaches us something new. We are learning and growing together, and there are always new concepts and therapies to add to our toolbox.
You may be one of those people who is a good listener, or are you one of those people whose second nature is to be a nurturer? Are you always looking to help any way you can? Maybe you don't even know how you can help in a particular situation but just feel a deep desire to be of assistance and have a concern for all involved. Massage therapists and bodyworkers are a breed of these little helpers trying to makes this earth an even more harmonious place to live. Some have been called to this profession but are not sure why. But along the road of their journey, they have learned so many lessons, and they cannot deny they were on this path for a reason.
Bodyworkers are a breed of nurturers. We care about others' comfort. We are always doing what we can to help someone feel at ease, even outside of work. We are just those extra hospitable people. If you are or want to be part of this industry, be mindful of others who like to take advantage of people like us. You are a loving and caring being, and sometimes people will leach onto your kindness. Be conscious of this possibility. You can always be loving and kind, but don't go above and beyond your capabilities and hurt yourself. Don't let an employer overwork you. Don't let clients cancel on you consistently without penalty. Be a professional. It's always good practice to set up boundaries. Try your best to surround yourself with people who have good intentions and want to celebrate who you are and who appreciate who you are. Avoid the ones that thrive on your joy and want to absorb your lovable energy. You will know this type by how exhausted you are after spending time with them. Be good to yourself. There is no need to hide your love; just don't let others take your sunshine.
We are all beings of love. Love is our true nature as human beings. It is just our desire and true essence as massage therapists and bodyworkers to offer love and care to others in need of it. You may be on your own journey, but there will always be help along that road. And this is what we provide as massage therapist and bodyworkers. A space of healing, at a sacred and safe time, for another to unwind. Our work is all for them to have their own peace for a moment. What a blessing it is to be there for another at this time.
I always try to put myself in another's situation in order to get a feeling for what they may need. I did this in my life prior to becoming a therapist, and it has helped me connect more with my clients. If I had a friend that was dealing with grief or sadness, I would think to myself, "What would I like someone to do for me?" I think this idea of thinking about others drew me to this profession. Yes, this is a subjective point of view, but it also allows us to gain more perspective. For instance, if I have pain and tension in my lower back, I will press my fists right into my SI joint, and I will feel relief. I could try this on another person because it has worked for me before. Or it may not work for another, but it's trial and error and how we learn. Think about what you would like and figure out what could bring ease to that body in discomfort.
Have you ever noticed how much a hug made a difference in your day? Or notice how different you felt after that hug? What about a simple phone call, email, or text message from someone saying "hi" and wishing you well? That kind of simple love and attention can feel so good. So can you imagine how much of an impact our nurturing touch and care is felt by a client? We are that presence and attention for that time being. You never know what another person may be going through. They could have stress on their mind or pain in their heart. Either way, they are to be cared for with the equal compassion and care that you give everyone that comes to you for healing.
It is very important for us to give a sacred space and our undivided attention for any client in need. We can care for anyone in need of nurturing by just being present. There are some people out there who do not have a shoulder to cry on, a friend to vent to, or a body to hug when life is rough. We can be there for them as that presence. Sometimes all they need is a space to be themselves and to release emotion.
For example, some women need a little extra love during pregnancy. At some point, some don't feel themselves and may be uncomfortable or emotional. Some pregnant women don't experience any changes like this, and they are the lucky ones! I have given many prenatal massages. Sometimes I felt like the woman seemed uncomfortable and the massage didn't provide any relief. Due to all the pillows and propping and the side lying, I would think they weren't comfortable at all. Well, it took a couple of these sessions to realize that the women were so thrilled with their bodywork, and it had been a while since they have had any relief.
As therapists, we try our best to help our clients feel safe and comfortable. When in doubt, always check in with the client and their comfort levels and pressure. I had one prenatal session with a woman who was eight months pregnant. After the session, I asked her how she felt. She told me that sometimes all she needed was to be able to lie still in a comfortable space, listen to spa music, and have the comfort of a light touch. For her, she found relief in the peace of being able to sit still and have my presence. It is so comforting to know that we can help make someone feel whole again.
No matter what has brought you to this profession, no matter what has happened to you in your past to bring you to this path, what will keep you here is that everlasting loving intent. Truly, we are gifted to be that loving support for another in need, to bring ease to the physical or emotional pain they are experiencing. Carrying compassion, patience, and love for all that come into our paths, we open our doors to all who can find relief in our presence. It is a pleasure to find joy in being there in that space for another person. When you feel this, you know with all your heart that this profession is your calling.
CHAPTER 2
THE BODY
The body is a sacred vessel. It is the home of our soul. It is something to be honored and respected. Our body is where multiple forces and functions are working together to keep us happy and healthy. The body as a whole, and all the body's parts, are moving forward for the goodness of the individual. Everybody is so specific and unique, so it is to be cared for in its own special way. Our bodies are always functioning with our well-being in mind. But all this depends on how we treat our bodies and if we give it proper nutrients and love in order to function at an optimal level.
We take our bodies everywhere we go. It holds all that we are here and now. Mind, body, and spirit are in the present. Our spirit and mind can transcend, but our body is always here in the physical plane, and it is to be cared for and loved in return for all the good it offers us. To respect the body is to trust it as well and to allow it to guide us to nurture it any way we can.
We must be grateful for those clients who come forth asking for our assistance in the healing of their bodies. The work that we do is so very personal. Each and every one of us is protective of our bodies, and we do our best to make sure we take care of it. It truly is a blessing to be asked to assist in another person's healing process; to be a facilitator of therapy to a body in need is an absolute honor.
Our understanding of body language and assessments sets up our sessions. We can begin this before the client is on the table. By reading the body and making intuitive observations, we can get our first clues as to what may be going on in a client's body. We become in tune with the way it feels and responds. As we grow in our professions, we become very skilled at making body assessments. When you see a person walking, you can observe their gait and make note of where the tension or injury may lie in his or her body. You can get a visual of the symmetry of a client's body as they lie on the massage table. Sometimes, you can find that one hip is higher than the other. When you do your over-the-sheet compressions, you can make note of the density of the body and muscles. How does it spring back to place? Is it resisting? As therapists, we can make a conscious intent to heal a specific area once we find the root of the issue or the target area to relieve once we complete the assessments. The body provides so many wonderful clues on how you can help it. The key is to always listen to the body because it will never lie to you. It only wants you to be well, and it will let you know what it needs for balance and health as long as you are paying attention and listening.
A fascinating subject that we frequently run into in this field is muscle memory. I am speaking of the emotional and physical trauma that people store in their bodies. Many people do not realize that during traumatic moments in their lives, they actually hold the memory deep inside their bodies. They can hold it in their muscle cells and organ tissues. Now, when I say trauma, it means a moment in life that had a deep impact on us. You cannot measure severity of a life event because it is subjective to the receiver, and it is their experience, their own pain, and it is not to be judged by another.
Let's have a quick biology review to freshen up our knowledge. The entire body is made up of cells right? Billions of cells combined to create individual organs, which then create body systems and tissue, and so forth, to combine and create an entire functioning body system. Each microscopic cell is a body in itself. The cell functions individually like a body; like a whole body system. Each cell has a brain, which is the nucleus. It has multiple organs called organelles. It has mitochondria, which is an organelle that acts as a digestive system for the cell. The cell has many parts that reflect our human body systems and functions but on a microscopic level. It's like a mini body within every cell. When we experience any sort of physical or emotional trauma, our body can store this like a scar, but on a cellular level. And many of you know that if you keep working with a scar by massaging, applying lotions, doing myofascial release, you will begin to see improvement in the visibility of the scar. Not to mention the improvements being made under the surface, which we cannot see yet we can feel. Some trauma we are aware of, and we know where we hold it in our body. Sometimes that trauma can show up in an unsuspected spot. It depends on where we decide to hold it or carry it. It's like an old memory popping up, but not in the mind: it's recognized in the body first and then sent to the brain. Once it goes to the brain, we start to remember the trauma or experience, and in a way, we relive it. It becomes ignited or active in our present mind. Sometimes we can feel the emotion of that moment or how we felt after that moment. We can feel physical pain or emotional pain at this time when it surfaces. Sometimes, it brings back a certain smell or a particular taste in our mouths. At other times, these could even be the triggers for an emotional release. We can even have laughter and giggles! Regardless how your client releases, just be present and ready to follow the body. Wait for its direction. While having the hands still on an area of the client, we can wait for a release or a direction. Sometimes, a word said, heard, or thought can trigger a release or can stir up the trauma. Bringing the trauma to the surface can be painful, but that is where it shall go in order to be released. In our bodies, we can bury a trauma deep in order to avoid it or to try and completely forget it. If it is a matter that we must face, sooner or later it will show up in our lives whether we recognize it or not. To some it may hurt so badly that they would rather bury it rather than deal with it or even talk about it. We can forget about it for years, and even decades can pass without us even being aware of it or remembering that it has bonded to us all this time. To each his or her own trauma. There is no measure for trauma. Everyone has their own pain. You can never compare one's pain to another, because it's all about the person involved and how the circumstance affected them personally. Pain is pain, and it is not to be measured.
You will get clients with this on occasion. Again, our presence is what can help them. Remember this: the pain is theirs, and their own body and mind will let them know how to deal and to release when they are ready. You, as the bodyworker, are to just be present and provide that safe comfortable space for them. Keep comfortable contact unless they ask you to stop. Honor their space and wishes; it can be a very difficult time for them. Maintain a connection and stay in one place until their body tells you to move on or readjust the hold. Always listen to your client and honor their needs in that space. Sometimes we are rooting for our clients and want their progress more than maybe they even want it. Be conscious of this because this trauma is not ours, and we must honor when they are ready to let go. All we can do is be there for them as that care and support.
There are a few ways that muscle memory can be triggered. Sometimes during very deep tissue work, a deep-rooted trauma can surface. Or it can surface by spending a lot of time in one area and really working at a specific spot. Activating it can bring up some old memories. Increasing the circulation and also elevating the vibration of the energy in that location can all stir this trauma up to the surface if it coincides with a thought the client has or with a memory flash. There are different catalysts for different people for their trauma to surface. It's always specific to the individual and should be handled with extra special care.
