Some say – get massage for your health
I say – get massage for your-self!
Doing kind things for yourself is the best thing you can do for your best health!
Learning in love,
Karen
Tense Muscles ~ Unwitting resistance
In reaction to stress, we often tighten or tense up our muscles. Clients will say, “I carry my stress in my…” For many it is shoulders, (upper traps), neck, (scalene and levator scapulae), for others it might be the forehead (tension headaches might be happening) or their hips. I’ve even had people tell me they carry their stress in their knees and feet. Tensing up may cause digestive issues for some. Tense muscles are a kind of invisible barrier to stress, challenges, sadness, trauma, that we try to create. We are attempting to protect ourselves. Barriers create resistance to the flow of life and in the case of tense muscles, they impede our movement. In fight or flight situations, this natural response is positive, necessary, but in many cumulative stressful situations this tensing reaction creates restriction for our bodies, mind, heart and soul.
I say body, mind, heart and soul because I value the concept of wholeness. We are whole beings! I believe your body is a communication device for your mind, heart and soul! It is wise to keep our communication system (body) pain-free and flowing; an open conduit! Be aware of tense muscles creating resistance in your flow and dance with life. It may happen slowly over time or in sudden response to some significant life transition. Allow yourself time to do physically relaxing activities for body and mind. A few options might be: Simple stretching, a few minutes of deep, slow breathing, meditation, yoga, deeper, gentle, longer stretches and certainly massage! Actually anything that brings you joy will aid in relaxing your muscles! Sing, play an instrument, be in nature, dance, catch up with a dear friend. In essence — be good to yourself and flow with life!
Learning in love!
Karen
Fascia Work – Not Fossil Work ;)
I often do fascia work on the back before I apply lotion or oil. I like to tell people that I am going to do this so they know that I will use lotion. I once had a full massage without lotion or oil and didn’t enjoy it. Recently a client spoke up after a few minutes and said, “This is heavenly. What did you call it, fossil work?” I tried hard not to laugh, but as I repeated the word, fascia, and explained it, we did have a good laugh. I assured him that I don’t do fossil work and he wasn’t one. I loved the feedback though! Many people have similar reactions to this work!
Fascia is connective tissue in the body, primarily collagen. It is between skin and muscle, muscle and bone and around organs, to state it simply. You can have full body fascia work done, but I only do it on the back, incorporating it into a swedish or deep tissue massage as per a client’s requests. Fascia release helps achieve flow and suppleness between the skin and muscle, breaking up any adhesion that might be there and is a first step of loosening tissue. It is much easier to access and move before applying oil or lotion. Another reason I love doing this work, on the back in particular, is that working slowly outward, from the spine, tends to have a calming effect as it systematically addresses and relaxes the central nervous system. I can feel people let go and breathe deeply during this work and unlike what you may have heard about other types of fascia work, it is not painful work, nor intense. Doing fascia work on the back before I begin the massage also gives me a good sense of where the back seems tight or congested.
Peace and massage to you!
Karen
To sleep per chance to dream – ay, there’s the rub
“To sleep, perchance to dream-
ay, there’s the rub.”
Yes! This is a question…often asked in massage. More accurately there is a slight misquote as people often try to decide: to sleep or not to sleep!
Well, let us be assured it isn’t the life altering moment it was for Hamlet, but it is a conundrum or quandary that frequently comes up as people settle onto the massage table. What I usually hear is:
“I don’t want to fall asleep and miss the massage!”
I completely understand that idea, I used to say the same thing when I was new to massage. The experience being wonderful, I wanted to ‘feel’ it and remember it.
As I have observed people on the table for 12 years my feelings about ‘massage sleep’ have evolved. Now I share this thought with my clients:
Your mind wants to go where your body is going! Into that peaceful, relaxed state. Making a concerted effort to stay ‘awake’ may create a bit of conflict. I find that when people are ‘asleep’ during a massage, they still respond when I have to speak to them or ask them to turn over, drifting off again easily. They are not sound asleep. I believe you do ‘feel’ and benefit from the massage even if you allow your mind to become quiet, still, restful.
In fact I truly believe that letting go of active thought during massage is similar to meditation and enhances the benefits of massage. Massage can be mentally restorative and enjoyable, as well as physically relaxing.
Schedule an appointment and see if you agree.
Karen Garrison
A Resonance Massage ~ Karen Garrison CMT 