The Art Of Massage

There is an art to massage that many don’t understand. Sure, there’s definitely a science to it, but to the truly intuitive practitioner it’s a feeling, a guidance to the true needs of the person on the table. I can sit here and tell you that massage effects all eleven systems of the body and that it can help you sleep, that it can prevent injury and make your workouts more efficient. I can spout off the names of muscles and nerve plexuses and tell you about the role your fascia takes in the body and why it’s so important to be addressed.

But I think it’s time to realize that massage is so much more than that. It is human touch…something we all don’t tend to receive enough of. To a true intuitive practitioner, it’s a knowing that nurturing is needed with that touch. That there’s another human being that needs to find a way to let go of all the outside world that tells them things like: “no”, “impossible”, “don’t”, “not enough”, “not allowed”, “give me”, “move faster” and “you don’t have time to relax”. Sometimes those words are others, sometimes it’s ourselves.

The art of massage tells us it’s ok to be who we are without judgement and that we’re allowed to get out of our own heads even if only for a short time. The goal is to be present when receiving this amazing and beautiful form of bodywork so you can be less in your head and more in your heart. It teaches you to breathe again fully and openly. It guides you to a state of such calm that clarity shortly follows.

When I work on someone, I allow myself to be guided. I allow an open heart to understand the love for humanity and that everyone deserves this form of giving. Considering touch, I ask myself what am I feeling? Density and resistance or softness and give? What does your energy feel like? Does it feel stuck or is it flowing? What are you telling me as we talk about your pain or even your daily life. What really hurts? No, I’m not a psychologist, but seeing, feeling and hearing everything about you tells me what you really need. There is a deep caring and loving nature to those of us who practice our art this way.

I remember telling people in my first year as a therapist that we are looking at the body as a doctor would. I would tell them that we see muscles, nerves and blood vessels and assured them that there was no judgement. At the time I felt that to be true. I didn’t quite get it yet. Since then I came to realize that body, mind and spirit are the words we use to remind you that you are more than just the physical parts of the body that we touch. You are a human being with thoughts, dreams and emotions that make you who you are. That should definitely matter when someone puts their hands on you with the intent of healing. Otherwise, what is the point? If we don’t address all of you then part of you still hurts or stays stuck.

The art of massage is a dance with the body, moving to the body’s inner rhythm, hearing what the body is whispering to me, guiding me to places of pain or tension that don’t want to be there any longer. Gliding along the body I shift when it shifts, changing the rhythm or pressure when the body resists or gives. There’s a knowing when to lead the body or let the body lead me to what is needed for that day.

So the true art of massage is a complex thing and the best thing you can do to respect such an art is to let go, be present and learn the lessons from every experience. Because there is always a lesson. Your body, mind and spirit is there to teach as you continue to allow yourself to receive this beautiful art form. All you have to do is listen.

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