Being “Old” is not so bad…

As I have gone thru my Massage Therapy career I have found that I have an affinity for several of the ancient cultural bodywork. What attracts me is that each of these cultures used what they had available, the therapies were delivered by esteemed people, and most truly helped heal the body due to the belief/compliance of those receiving the care. If you take it a step further, it is these ancient practices that most current therapies sprang from.

One of my favorites is Temple Style Lomi Lomi that comes from Hawaii and Pacific Islands. It is a flowing gentle amazing technique that gives me as a practitioner the room to use all my education whenever I choose, and is huge in helping clients really reconnect with their body. My own experience within the 5 Day Training literally changed my entire massage practice.

Another is Yoni (Vaginal) Steaming. I know I know…lower your eye brows…hahaha! I was introduced to this only recently. Keep in mind in the course of my career I have had several female clients who have shared the care that they have received for their reproductive systems. Truthfully it is mind blowing how much power we, as women, given to other people to tell us how we feel or should feel! Yeah this is a little bit of a soap box and am a bit unapologetic about it…so you totally have permission to click away!

It is my point of view that we really should rethink how we, as females, approach gynecological care. From what I have learned, every other culture has for centuries been less evasive, and sure have some wild practices that even make me scratch my head. Yet what is fairly consistent is how there is honoring…support…respect for the female body.

Circling back to Yoni Steaming. By using specific blends of herbs steeped in warmed water, you sit disrobed from the waist down a safe distance above this, and meditate…knock out some emails…or whatever for that 10 to 30 minutes. As I made mention in my last blog post, it is thru having really good conversations about expectations that make for a more impactful session. Especially when it comes to steaming.

Next, any of the Thai Yoga work falls under this category. I have done well over 50 hours of continuing education just in this technique category, because again how “simple” and impactful it is. I chose to offer only the Thai Abdominal work, because again our culture seems like it does not want to positively focus and stay connected with our abdomen. You can ask or do the research to see that we store a lot of things besides our organs there! It is amazing the different responses I have had from clients when I start working slowly through their abdomen; “What IS THAT?!”, “OH that actually feels good.”, “That hurts there!”, “Oh yeah I forgot that I had _____ organ removed, but why does it feel that way.”. It is amazing just how much what happens in our abdomen affects the rest of the body!

There are a number of other techniques that also fall under this category of “Ancient Therapies”, but I wanted to briefly introduce you to a few to wet your interest.

So as always, here is to your health & wellness! I look forward to meeting you, your body, & your story at the massage table!

What are you going to do to me?!

If I actually kept count of how many times clients said that to me I am not sure there would be enough time in the day! LOL

I wanted to touch base on this idea of “Expectations”, because even if you are a veteran recipient of Massage Therapy this idea is not always appropriately addressed. I was listening to a podcast recently where the narrator had said that one of the four things as a human being one ought to be doing is Communicating. How simple is that and sometimes daunting?!

As time has gone by I have had clients see me for a time and then stop. It happens. Yet a lot of the time there is a lack of communication on why, and in talking with other contemporaries it is often the Expectation(s) that were not spoken and not met that will create this situation. This by the way is not limited to just Massage Therapy, because in several discussions with clients it would seem that other medical professionals are not having reoccurring conversations with their patients about expectations.

It is paramount in my mind that if you have a set of expectations of what you want out of your appointment by sharing those will only help both us work towards achieving the goals that you have for your body. Trust me I am willing and can receive constructive criticisms, and like to think I have “thick skin”/professionalism that will allow me to not take it personally. With that being said, having been a massage therapist in the Quad Cities for the last 16 years, I can readily refer you to a number of great massage therapists with ease that may be a better fit. But it comes from having a consistent conversation about expectations.

So here is to your health & wellness! I look forward to meeting you, your body, & story at the massage table!