Breathing in the River of Life

Breathe!

I continue to find myself filled with judgement for myself and others. I continue to strive to find the ‘Right’ answer to my problems and obstacles. I search the layers of books, advice of experts and the universe to find what it is that is missing. Throughout this search one solution continues to present itself, and that is the act of being present. As I interact with others through the daily events and conversations, and absorb the energies of my phone, the television, music and the millions of humans and there single minded push to greatness. It is not until I step away from this ‘hum’ and observe the world around me with detached awareness that I find a welcomed sense of peace. Yesterday as I stepped away from ‘my life’ and all its ups and downs to simply breathe and watch the wind move through the trees, the river flow, the human progression of movement, and the suns descent toward the horizon. I found myself calm and at peace. A feeling of love and acceptance washed over me. I was grateful for the opportunity to just ‘BE.’ The simple of act of observing and letting go of my judgements and my quest for the ‘right’ answer allowed me to step fully into the present moment.

Life is like a river. There are time we swim against the current and we fight and struggle to control our speed and direction. We see a path and we work diligently to make it to that path and then hold to the path. We navigate through the ups and downs, through the technical difficulties, and revel in the success of a clean pass through the channels. We praise the river for working with us and not against us. There are times when we cling to the bank, or the rocks in the middle of the river as life rushes by us. We close our eyes as the thundering river rages against us.

We are filled with fear, until we let go. We may be smashed and thrashed against the shallows of the river, dunked deep under the waves and hydraulics, and eventually we find a calm, slower current where we recollect ourselves, breathe, and prepare for the next challenge the river will present. When we float gently along, carried by the river with a gentleness that is unmatched, we are able to observe the beauty and greatness that is around us.

We each have the power to step out of the raging, uncontrolled river that can sometimes be our life. The answer? Breathe. Yes, it seems so simple and it is so powerful. The act of breathing is our birthright and a gift from the universe. When we harness our breath and simply focus out of the mind and our list of judgements, rights and wrongs. We find the gift of our lives. We find the present moment and that is our life.

Massage Therapy, Sports, Meditation, Dance, Exercise, are but a few ways to let go of the mind and the absorption of energies that do not serve. Taking time to find a state of presence is what we all search for in this life. Think about the moments you felt the most alive and I bank that they are time when you were fully present in the moment. You were not thinking of the past, nor the future, you were present and in the NOW! 

Life is to short, Take a moment and breathe, let go of that which does not serve you and work in harmony with the River of Life!

Gratitude

 

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….