Enhance Your Massage

Ramona
The Healing Place of Cottage Grove
www.thehealingplacecg.com

Many people think that the quality of a massage depends solely on the skills of the therapist. A perceptive body-worker is part of the equation, but a client’s awareness, intention, and receptivity greatly influence the therapeutic out-come as well. As a client, here are several things you can do to enhance your bodywork experience.

Educate Yourself. Talk to others and look online to find a bodywork modality and therapist to fit your needs. Of course, you won’t know for sure until you’ve received a session or more, but doing some foot-work in advance can make it easier to find a practitioner and type of bodywork that are a match for you.

Ask for What You Want. During your intake interview, communicate specifically what you’re wanting in your session. Also, give your therapist feed-back as your session unfolds. For example, “Could you spend a little more time on my legs?” or, “That’s pretty tender, I’d like you to soften up a bit.” Your willingness to specify your needs allows your therapist to work with you more effectively.

Set a Personal Intention. A bodywork session can enhance any intention you take into it. For example, you might want to become more aware of your body, to feel completely relaxed, or to move into the next phase of your life. Once you’ve set your intention, let it go and allow the bodywork to support you on every level. If you like, share your intention with your practitioner so that they may hold it in their awareness as well.

Breathe. You may hold your breath or shift to shallower breathing when the therapist is working in an area of tightness or emotional holding. Appreciate yourself for noticing and begin to breathe freely again. Imagine that you’re gently inflating that part of your body with your breath. Breathing releases tension and opens your flow of energy.

Be Present with Yourself. Let your awareness rest in the area of your body where your therapist is working. For example, if your therapist is working on your neck, feel it from the inside out. Notice the tone of the tissue, the quality of the therapist’s touch, and any other sensations. When your inner awareness meets a bodyworker’s conscious touch, a merging of consciousness occurs that can produce profound therapeutic outcomes.

Offer Feedback after Your Session. Let your therapist know what worked best and anything that might make your next session more effective. For example, “I really liked the slower pace of today’s session,” or, “Next time I’d like you to use firmer pressure on my lower back.” Your feedback allows your therapist to serve you from session to session.

At its best, bodywork is a collaborative process between the client and practitioner, drawing forth the natural healing abilities of both.