I was in Washington, DC last Wednesday to Sunday, visiting friends, and checking out the Massage and Integrative Healthcare scenes. But overall, I just wanted to have a good time, meet new people, and learn as much as I could.
A little tired on arrival at the Union Station metro stop in DC from Baltimore Airport, I put out some “help me” feelers. Besides the food, which looked oh so good, The Chair Massage station was equally enticing.
The Massage Therapist Louis wanted to know as many details about me as possible for those 10 minutes of bliss and relaxation I would soon experience. Where does it hurt? What is my profession? What kind of pressure do I prefer? My left calf was throbbing from over-dancing, shoulders and neck were stiff from traveling, plus I was running on four hours of sleep. When I shared with him I was also a Therapist, we had a good laugh and a congratulations for my taking care of myself.
Louis began the session like a whale making a major plunge into the waters. “A little too deep” I uttered, my back feeling like pieces of electric currents going on and off. As he shifted his approach and eased his way into my fascia, musculature, circulation, and centers of energy, my every thought of imbalance, expectation, or imperfection began to shift.
I let my body sink deeply in the chair and into the crevasses of my mind. The currents I previously felt in my back began to calm, shades of yellow and orange flashed in my mind, my breathing deepened. I was revived in those 10 minutes.
There is a theme in this that relates to feeling better, living better, and playing better, which is the byline that continuously comes up for my clients. When we feel better, we are living better, and therefore, playing better. In my example, the pain in my shoulders was mitigated, therefore, I could take in the experience of DC more fully and be able to relate to others more openly. Sure, the word “play” can be misconstrued and may not feel fun. In this sense, it means that you are disengaged from the anxiety portion of whatever it is you are doing. It’s not a feeling to go for, but rather, a state of being present, however you may authentically express that.
We know that the mechanical aspect of Massage by default has many positive affects, including, but not limited to, enhancing and improving the immune, musculoskeletal, and circulatory systems. The relaxation aspect is the brain releasing enkephalins and endorphins into circulation, nature’s natural opiates. When your body is relaxed, it can let go of pain and stress more easily.
FEEL BETTER, LIVE BETTER, AND PLAY BETTER!
Ooh, now that sounds good! Feel, live, play!!!