Massage Therapy, Meditation, and Healing Energies

There is a machine that runs constantly inside of our head. It creates, dreams, and fantasies and does a myriad of other things as well. It is the source of inspiration and the ability to learn. It works in concert with our bodies, and helps us to function within the designs of the natural world and society. For some the ‘machine’ is who they are, and for others the ‘machine’ is simply a part of a greater whole. I am, of course, speaking of the brain and its relentless creation of thought, image, and word. The brain is in constant motion and even when we are motionless and simply breathing the brain is part of this process and works to pull our focus into other areas. For many, the act of meditating is difficult to say the least. The act of being still, quiet, and focusing on the breath and allowing the brain, the mind to settle, is a learned art and skill.

We live in a stimulated society! Coffee, Energy drinks, small concentrated ‘shots’ of energy, the layers and layers of sweet treats, power bars of granola, nuts, etc… The way that we entertain ourselves, and craft our entertainment is meant to stimulate and capture attention. Bright lights, fast choppy cuts on video and TV, Smart phone movements, etc…. We have even changed and altered the way we communicate. Many prefer texting to voice calling. There is a disconnect created from texting, a quickness, and a wall. A distance can be kept that voice calling and speaking to the person does not allow. It is no wonder that it is difficult to slow down for the true benefit of Massage and Meditation.

The fact that many of us enjoy our daily routine distracts us from creating the ideal condition for our massage therapy session, and for a meditation session. By bringing awareness to our daily lives and actions, it is possible to make conscious decisions regarding what we do the day of our session. Simple details make it easy to create the best conditions possible for the upcoming session. Take a stand and do not drink you ‘booster’ drink before the session. Do your best to get a good night sleep, and do not watch any television before the session. Become aware of how you respond to certain music, and then translate these feelings to other activities and how you feel when doing and after. By doing the transference exercises you can start to learn more about your body and mind reactions that may have been unconscious to you. You may learn, for example, that fast, heavy, metal music causes you anxiety and the feeling is similar to when you watch a certain television show, or feel guilty for doing something wrong or poor.

Taking the time to become aware of how you respond to life can allow a person to focus in and create the best set of circumstance for their session. By not stimulating before a session, it is likely that the person will have a much more productive experience. Massage Therapy and Meditation require the ability to still and quiet the mind for the experience and healing work to be done at its highest level. Everyone benefits from both forms of healing even if the mind is in full gear, relaxation does happen and a calming sense of being prevails. Though the level of relaxation can be affected by the way we arrive to the session, once in, we can benefit greatly from the moment to be silent and focus on something that creates healing energies.

Healing Energies come from within and from others into us. When you smile at someone and they smile back that is an exchange of energy. We are affected by each other and we feel each others energies. We all have the capabilities to work and manipulate energies. Again we are a stimulated people and until we learn to calm ourselves, focus and harness our power, we stand to continue forward unaware of our inner potential. During Meditation, slowing the mind and concentrating, focusing allows for greater control of energy. While in Massage Therapy, slowing the mind allows the client to become more present with the energy being presented from the practitioner, and the client is able to release more of the tension that is being held in relation to the process of the mind. In both MT and Meditation, healing energies are being created and either absorbed in to the process or lost do to lack of unconsciousness.

When we are mindful and conscious, we are able to slow the mind, the brain and enter into a state of deep consciousness and awareness. We do not fall asleep. We allow ourselves to let go and become fully present with that which we are at the moment. Whether it be our breath, a flower, a song, music, or the roar of the river as each paddle stroke is placed and the field of vision is surveyed and calculated, the bend of the road and the gauge of high speed, the calculations. Meditation and MT are designed to decrease the stimulation of the body and create a deep level of relaxation and letting go. Whitewater, Racing, and Sports are forms of moving meditations for some, however their very nature stimulates and creates a ‘different’ experience than the art of being still. I respect both. Each has their own set of challenges and levels of understanding and mastery.

While Meditation and Massage Therapy are different in nature, they have common elements that can be shared and used to enhance. Both the client and the therapist can benefit from the act of meditation. During the Massage session the practitioner can help the client focus on relaxing and entering a conscious state of awareness. A level that allows the client to work with the practitioner to release areas of pain and tension. Ultimately creating a more relaxed body, mind and spirit. The practitioner can guide the client with reminding and/or coaching them to breathe at certain points of pressure. The more release a client can give, the better the session was at creating change, and for me that is what is important. It is the act of helping creating change for a client.

Meditation and Massage Therapy work, and when combined they only enhance. Both forms of healing are becoming much more widely used and practitioners can be found easily with todays technology. Take the time to still the mind and focus on breathing during the next Massage Therapy session and be witness to the response of the body.

Give to your body in Mind, Health, Gratitude and Love and it will return in favor….

Creating Change through Awareness of the Body

As I sit here and type the words that flow through my mind, I bring my awareness to my body and what I find is typical for most of us. I find that my shoulders, and back are rounded and hunched forward toward the computer screen. My neck is protracted forward as though hanging from a string over my thighs. My legs are bent at ninety degrees and slightly angled to the left and leaning. I take a deep slow breath scoot my chair forward, round my shoulders and straighten my back by focusing my core. I keep my awareness triggered and I can feel that I am slowly bending forward at the low back again, my neck still extends outward over my chest and my shoulders begin to round forward again. I retract my neck and though it feels awkward at first the slight tinges of pain begin to recede. I go through the process over and over again as I retrain my body to this new way of being. A constant process of paying attention to my body and bringing myself into the present moment.

Not very many people are masters of doing something the first time they do it. It takes practice and an awareness of what one is doing. Creating change in the body is the same way. Awareness allows one to focus into the areas of the body that have discomfort and recognize the causes leading to this pain. Humans are creatures of habit. We sit in the same manner, drive, walk, talk and even eat in a habitual stance. Once awareness is brought to each of these modes and beyond, a person can begin to create positive change by simply noticing and correcting the stance of their body.

It is beneficial to have a postural analysis done by a trained professional. As a massage therapist committed to creating change within my clients, my first meeting always includes a postural analysis. I am able to locate potential spots of chronic pain and help clients begin to learn their body and start the process of creating change.