11 Tips To Making the Most of Your Massage!

Now that you know how to choose a massage therapist - post 1 and 2 respectively.

How do you make the most of it?  You might have 60 minutes on the table or 30 or even 15?  How can you benefit most from those minutes?

• Be prepared - know what you want, relaxation? work on an injury? relieve the tightness in a particular area? Explaining all this during the intake process can help the therapist focus and work where you need, even if it is only 15 minutes.
• Always report if you have any injury, specific aches or pains, unexplained skin rash or changes in medication you may be taking.
• Ask questions if you have them.
• During the session, talk with your practitioner. Much more effective work can be done when communications are open. Body language is a way of communicating as well, so if you can't drum up the words, allowing your body to respond, whether it's melting or flinching, helps the therapist know how things feel to you. She/he may then ask you to confirm their observations.
• Try to relax your mind while receiving bodywork. The break away from thinking about that project is important and can allow solutions to come to mind when the focus is off the problem.
• If you need to vent talk about life that's fine.  Your therapist may choose to remain quiet, just listening.
• Take a deep breath when a tender or sore spot is found, release the breath slowly, feel your tissues relax.
• Many therapists use passive movement during a session. They will lift your head, your feet or legs, your arms. The therapist expects you to do nothing, just let the body part 'be heavy' and let the therapist do the work. They will let you know if they want you to actively move.
• Let the therapist know if there is something that seems to work well or if there is something she/he does, that you don’t like. This is your session!
• Arrange to have 5 minutes afterward to get some water and sit quietly and still for some time, or go for a short walk. Pay attention to how you feel and let that feeling follow you throughout the day or longer even.
• The therapist may suggest you do some 'homework' or give you ideas for self care for when you are in between session. Often following the suggestions given will help you reach your desired outcome more quickly.

Arrange to have bodywork every week for a little while if you can. Some people like a long, perhaps 2 hour session once a month.  Others choose a shorter session weekly. Those of my clients who do schedule a regular massage benefit greatly.  I learn more from a person's body, the more chances I have to work with that person. I interpret their responses to the work more accurately and the massage becomes more effective. The massage becomes tailored to that persons' needs more readily. The client becomes more comfortable, able to relax easily and more quickly each week as she/he builds a level of trust with the therapist and as communication between them becomes easier.

How To Get Rid of Pain - without drugs or surgery

I googled this today. I was hoping to see something come up about The Rossiter System, but it did not, at least not on the first page in my search. There were some interesting articles and blog posts that discussed ways of getting rid of pain without drugs or surgery. Interesting that movement came up quite a bit, walking, yoga, other exercises. Including high quality nutrition into your diet came up in one article. Meditation also came up a few times. Chiropractic treatments, Massage (in many modalities) and energy work, are ways of getting rid of pain for some people, applying ice, especially immediately after an injury.

Consider The Rossiter System: It's quick, it's effective. It's safe. It gets rid of pain in feet, ankles, knees, hips, low back, upper back and shoulders, neck, head, fingers and hands, wrists and elbows. It works to stretch the tight connective tissue that often causes pain. It puts space back into our bodies, into our joints so they move more freely and without pain. Rossiter is not easy though. It's hard work. But that's what makes it work, you engage in getting rid of your own pain. You do it.

What Does A Rossiter Workout Feel Like?

Let's imagine you have pain in your elbow, forearm, or hand. 

Maybe you don't have to imagine!

It's been there a while, maybe started as just some tightness or a dull ache from time to time. You rub it, maybe ice it. Maybe you even have massage, or many massages, which helped. But you can't get massage every day and the pain has gotten worse. You have so much work to do in the garden, but it hurts! You have to practice the trombone, but it hurts! Washing that cast iron skillet is just so much more difficult since you need two hands to pick it up and turn it over to rinse. You can't pick up the milk carton with one hand anymore. You even have some trouble turning the door knob. Definitely cannot open that new jar of tomato sauce! And what's worse, since you use your other hand more, it's starting to hurt too!

You could go see your doctor, maybe you should or maybe you have? Maybe your doctor suggested you have a shot of cortisone to see if that will help. Many do. It is certainly understandable, because you just want to get rid of the pain and go about doing the things you love to do! However, you think there might be some other options and decline the cortisone (good decision, I say.)

If you have decided against the cortisone treatment, you likely have googled other options. Perhaps you have heard of The Rossiter System from a friend, or learned about it on-line. It seems like a hopeful option (it definitely is!) You can read more about how The Rossiter System works here.

You contact a Rossiter coach and schedule an appointment. After filling out a medical history form (confidential, of course) and discuss in detail the specifics of your pain, your coach explains what will happen next. It seems somewhat complicated but she assures you she will guide you through it each step of the way.

She asks you to lie on your back on a mat on the floor. Your arm positioned alongside your body, palm up. She stands on a small stand, holds a pole for balance and lightly lays her foot on your forearm. Initially it feels like massage with a foot as she searches for the 'hot spot'. Then she finds it. and you tighten up and flinch, maybe grimace a bit. She seems delighted! You, however, are a bit skeptical, anxious about the pain. But she eases up and tells you what will happen next. She slowly increases the weight, reminding you to breath and relax. It hurts, but strangely, it's not so bad, (intense is a good word) as she slowly increases the weight, your eyes seem to pop open. It's your decision how much weight to accept, how 'intense' you want it and at that point, you say "stop there" and that is where she maintains the weight. She then guides you in what is called a lock (explained fully beforehand) and asks you to reach, reach, reach and stretch, slowly and deliberately, move the fingers and hands as far as you can go. It's hard work! It's like the big stretch you sometimes do when you yawn, the stretch a cat may do after waking from a nap. 10 seconds, maybe a little more and then she tells you to relax as she lightens up. Once or twice more, whew!

After the workout, she asks you to stand up and walk a little. She asks you to compare the difference, how does it feel? Move your arm around, what has changed from before? How does it compare with the other arm?

Awareness is important.

You probably feel some some good differences, changes that give you hope. Everyone describes it in their own way, but it definitely is relief, likely less pain or no pain. Some people experience relief after a day or so, or after another workout or two. This depends on how long you've had pain, how many weeks, months, or years of stressing the arm.

There are more workouts for the same arm usually right away. You may decide to come back in a day or two after your body processes the changes (there may be many.)

There is homework too!

1. Be aware: is it better or worse the next day, does it start to hurt again and when? does it hurt when you do certain things or move in particular ways? 
2. Walk.  Walking helps to integrate the changes in your body.  A nice strong walk for 20 minutes is best. Daily if you can.

It's all about movement!

When I started massage school, I believed in massage as THE way to go, THE way to get better and heal without drugs and surgery.  Certainly it is the best way I know of getting to know my own body, connect my mind and body, which for me is the start of the healing process. As I began work as a Massage Therapist, I also continued exploring other bodywork methods. I experienced Feldenkrais and The Rossiter System and was blown away. I realized "ah, it's not just massage, it's all about movement!" How powerful, to include movement and massage!  that's the key! A whole new world of learning opened up for me. After 43 hours of training and practicing, I, Ellie Calhoun, became a certified Rossiter coach.  Now Rossiter is not massage, it's not done at the same time, however, my massage has gained a new level, has become more sophisticated because of my better understanding of the body, the connective tissue and how active movement can make deep lasting changes. How awareness of how we move in our lives assists in making positive changes.

Now I seek out new learning situations most often centered around movement.  I took a class with Whitney Lowe on Active Engagement, I'm signed up for Core Integration Foundations class with Josef Dellagrotte who teaches about the power of walking, I'm continually learning more about The Rossiter System. I'm constantly reading about alignment, about moving and exercising.

Including some movement in your daily life (other than just getting from place to place and doing your job) can serve the purpose of gaining strength, better balance and better coordination, leading to less chance of injury during times of less awareness. Engaging your body, moving with awareness, as many people have found, has benefits beyond those that are physical. It's meditative. It connects mind and body. It gives your mind a break. Get some movement into your life and see what it can do for you! It doesn't have to be furious and intense, it can be slow and flowing, dancing, walking, playful.

just move 

What is your favorite form of movement? What movement do you include in your life daily? How can you challenge yourself to move in new ways?

Finding a Massage Therapist - step 2

Now that you've got some idea of why you want massage, and information about the types of massage available, it's time to look for a therapist.

Checking listings to find who is licensed in your area. 

• Go to your state government website and look up the list of those who are licensed in your area. Be aware, some states do not have licensing. 
• American Massage Therapy Association, AMTA, is a professional organization with a Find a Therapist page. 
• Another professional organization is ABMP, Associated Bodywork and Massage Professionals found here.
• Google it!  Type in Massage Therapy and the town or state you are looking for.
• Talk to friends who may get massage. Who do they see, what do they like about their therapist?

How do you know if a therapist is the right one for you?

Check out their website if they have one.

• Is the contact information and location easy to find? Is it reasonably close to you? Keep in mind that you may not want to sit in a car and drive for an hour after a massage if you don't need to.
• Are there testimonials on the site so you can see what others say?
• Do you get a sense of the massage therapist, what is important to them, how they work?

Call the therapist and ask questions! Sometimes you will only speak with a receptionist. Sometimes that's enough if they're knowledgeable about the business. You can still ask to have a therapist call you back so you can speak directly with him/her.

• Ask what you can expect when you arrive? 
• What is the space like, is it in an office or a home studio? 
• What is their draping like, do you need to disrobe and to what degree?
• Can they help you with your reason for seeking massage?
• Ask them to describe what a typical massage is like.
• Does the therapist mention anything about confidentiality?
• If you have a medical condition, mention it and ask if they have experience with that. 

One last thing to consider. Pay attention to your gut feeling. Would you feel comfortable with this person? It's ok to make other calls before making an appointment. Whether or not you feel comfortable with a particular therapist is important, not every therapist is right for every client. 

Finding a Massage Therapist - Step 1

If you have never had a massage before and you don't know a massage therapist, finding one the first time can feel a little daunting. There are so many of us and we all do massage differently. There also are many types of massage or "bodywork" as we call it. Here is a helpful first step towards finding a massage therapist.

Think about why you want massage. There are many reasons people seek out massage. Some want it to relax or for stress relief, others to help with healing an injury, or for continuous pain management. Some are addressing their lack of and need for non-sexual touch or for support during grieving. Some want it to complement their fitness regimen, giving attention to hard working muscles as you advance towards your goals. Some like it for meditative purposes. And some just want to try it and see! Knowing your reason will help you decide what type of massage and then how to find and who to choose.

Massage can be very soothing as with most Swedish Massage Techniques; flowing, gliding, long, firm movement of the hands using lotion, cream or oil, and kneading, squeezing of muscles. Massage can have a satisfyingly deep broad pressure on tight muscles, or specific deep pressing of a tender spot that delivers a "good hurt" before the relief. Some therapists work with fascia which can be a very subtle shifting of tissues, with sustained gentle pressure for extended periods of time in one area. Some massage sessions will include tapotement, an energizing percussion on the body, like drumming, or it could include movement, jostling, or gentle pulling, stretching of arms, legs, fingers or toes. Many therapists combine a number of these into a flowing, connecting session.

A therapist much of the time user her hands, fingers and thumbs to massage, but often will use forearms and elbows, hot stones or other tools and even, less commonly, knees and feet!

Massage Therapists might specialize in a certain audience and this might influence who you would choose. There are those who work specifically with pregnant women for instance or for people with certain medical needs; someone undergoing cancer care or diabetes treatment. Keep in mind your specific needs as you think about what kind of massage is appealing to you.

In the end it is what you want and why you seek massage that is important. Click here to find out more about the various modalities of massage to help you in your decision making.

What I like about this blogging challenge

I'm learning how "not to be perfect."  That sounds funny because I am not perfect.  I know I'm not perfect. I actually feel like I am artwork in progress : )   However, learning not to be perfect means writing without the judgemental voices in my head keeping me from saying what I want. It means not taking 3 hours to write one post. It means actually hitting the "publish" button once it's good enough.  I'm not there yet, but it's getting easier - it's a continual process.

I think I'm living more in my life.  Every thing I do from the mundane, feeding the cats, or taking out the trash, I'm actually there, thinking, looking, being aware and making connections.  As I ponder - what next? as I question; do I write this blog or go to the beach with the kids on one of their last days of summer vacation? as I go through my day, I am, in my head 'blogging' I'm observing and making connections to what I might say next.

As I go through this process, thinking - it clarifies what I know, it makes clear what I don't know and what I want still to learn.  My brain is busy and not just with my own personal drama and I love that!

Here I go, hitting publish! written in less than an hour! previewed and edited only once. now that's a first for me.

Body Balance Awareness Tip #3

When I first started this blog I started a body balance awareness series. Awareness of our bodies, as we go about our daily lives, and then adjusting, making small changes, can make a positive affect on how we feel. Here you can read Body Balance awareness tip #1 and tip #2.  Time for tip # 3!

Next time you are standing, cooking, talking to someone, or waiting in line for something, check in with yourself. How you are standing? Many of us find that we stand as this first picture shows. For women especially, that hip sticking out is a perfect "seat" for the little child. Did you know that when you stand like this habitually, that it can adversely affect the low back? When we stand like the first picture, with more weight on the left leg, the fascia, our connective tissue, is pulled from the powerful left Quadriceps (your thigh muscles) around from where it is connected in the right lower back. Over time, it causes an aching or chronic pain in your right lower back.

So, if you find you have chronic low back pain on one side, check your standing posture. Get in the habit of checking and adjusting to stand more evenly as in this 2nd picture.

Here is one way to make adjustments. Stand, evenly weighted on both feet and feel your feet on the floor, really connect with the ground. Bend your knees a bit and rock slightly until you find the comfortable place, where there is ease and less work for your body to hold yourself upright. Try it!

And, if you are already in chronic pain in the low back, you can try Rossiter. There is a workout that can fix that!

What is skin rolling?

Skin rolling is a massage technique where the skin is lifted up and rolled between the fingers, releasing adhered areas that may be found in the superficial fascia.  In his book The Balanced Body, Donald W. Scheumann calls it fascial lift and roll technique.   

Skin rolling is one of those things we learn in massage therapy school and then (in my experience) it's discarded because "many people just don't like the feel of it."  Well, that's what I was warned. Certainly, if it's something people don't usually like, then why go there, right?  After all, it isn't the soothing and gliding one imagines when thinking of a relaxing massage.  Nor is it the satisfyingly deep pressure of trigger point therapy others seek out when getting massage. In fact, it can be pinching and uncomfortable, especially when the therapist hasn't practiced it very much!  

Skin rolling isn't something I would have thought I'd have the opportunity to explore and learn to do well.  At least not until a client told me that she really liked skin rolling. Since this client likes it and she get massage every week, I've had the chance to really use the technique and play around with it.  At first I would only skin roll her back before getting to the effleurage and deep tissue work.  Then one day she said, oh, you can just do skin rolling on the back.  Then as I got more comfortable working with her and using skin rolling, I became inspired.  She enjoyed it so much, that I started using it on the neck and arms.  One day as I was massaging her face, I was moved to skin roll her cheeks and she smiled, she loved it!  My skin rolling has gotten quite good.  Often it turns into muscle rolling as well.  For this client, skin rolling causes positive changes in her body.  A painful hip issue was relieved when I skin rolled her quads. Rolling the skin above the pelvic crest on the back of the body, causes a pulling in the tissues in the gluteus muscles, releasing tightness there.

Have you ever experienced skin rolling?  If you think you would like to try it, just ask your therapist.

on paying attention

just some ramblings for this morning.  This morning has been a series of distractions. As I sit here jotting down - hmmm  "jotting down" implies I am using pencil and paper which, I am not - Although I do still very often use paper and pencil. I like it, I like the feel of it and I find I think better as I jot things down - ok another distraction, sorry.

as I was saying, as I was thinking of what to write for #9 in my 31in31 post, I began searching for a book I had, to remind me of the exact term I was trying to think of and started pulling out all the books, well, not all, but many books that caught my eye, books that triggered important and different memories  in my life.  It's a pretty eclectic grouping of books and I even avoided all the children't books I have collected over the years, and the environmental, education, gardening, naturalist books that all have had some influence in my life. (never did find that first book I was looking for)

anyway, one book, a gift by the author, signed by the author, reminded me of something important.

His name is Terry Bisson. We met once, in 1990 I think, during my gypsy, living in my gold and brown ford fiesta, with my cat Skelley, days.  My car brakes, broke.  I coasted into a camp site in South Carolina, set up my tent and at 8:00 in the morning, with my traveling cat, carefully drove down the street to the nearest garage. So as to not write a 2000 word post, here is the gist - long wait for parts needed, sitting around with not much to do (no phone, internet etc, although I probably had my notepad and pencil, my journal!) cat roaming the nearby woods and fields, another broken car, needing some part that was located in Charleston more than an hour away.  My car was fixed and I was schedule-free, so I lent my car to Terry...  His wife Judy took me to lunch and when all was said and done, Terry handed me a book, or maybe he just left it in the car?

  for Ellie a perfect stranger, Terry and Judy

Why does this day in my life occasionally come back to me?  Two things: 1. He gave me the opportunity to do a good thing, to help someone, someone who was a complete stranger. A person can feel empowered when they are able to help someone and there are no expectations. and 2. He noticed.  He paid attention and thanked me.  reminds me of another book, kindly sent to me in the mail by someone who I hadn't met yet at the time she sent me this book.  Pay Attention, say thank you by M. Gail Woodard.

So, two things: 1. ask people for help when you need it. People feel good when they can help, give them the opportunity!  and 2. pay attention!  Acknowledge people even if you don't know them. You may meet someone only once, get a massage from someone only once, but it could have an impact on their life in some small or big way.

It's What I Do

I love moving; dancing, exercising, massaging, walking, running. skipping, jumping, tiptoeing... (well, it's all dance to me : )) I also love learning; reading, working things out in my mind, thinking about connections... Put them together? Learning about movement! I couldn't be happier!

I just registered for this course and I can't wait!

In my practice, movement is key. It's part of my massage, it's part of Rossiter workouts.

Helping people move better, more easily, joyfully!

It's what I do.

Course:	CE30: Core Integration Foundations: Myofascial Map and Movement Pathways
Instructor:	Josef DellaGrotte

Here is a snippet of the description

"This course teaches the fundamentals of moving well.
A body that does not move efficiently will never be free of pain and strain.

Core Integration integrates the principles of Moshe Feldenkrais’s Awareness Through Movement and neuro-myofascial therapy.  Core Integration results in efficient, integrated movement through the whole body.  This course focuses on learning the anatomy of the six movement pathways and experiencing effortless movement."

This course is through Continuing Education at Bancroft School of Massage on September 23rd.

and for fun! a video I enjoy

Are you a Massage Therapist?

do you work hard taking care of other people?  Are your best attempts at good body mechanics still not keeping pain from creeping into your arms, hands, shoulders?  and is it hard to squeeze in the hour and a half to two hours for a massage on a monthly, never mind, weekly, basis?

If this is you (as a fellow massage therapist, I certainly can relate) I'd like to introduce you to the Rossiter System.

It gets rid of pain!  with no drugs, no surgery.  It is not massage, it is not a treatment, it is a workout!  These  two person stretching workouts effectively stretch the connective tissue, creating space in the joints for pain free and ease of movement.  There are workouts that target every area of the body - feet, knees, hips, hands, wrists, elbows, shoulders, neck... Rossiter is quick as well.  A workout may be as long as a half hour, but can be as short as 15 minutes and still will give you relief.  After we talk about your pain and we decide where to work, you most likely will lie down on a mat on the floor. Using my foot, I gently step on a muscle area.  Don't worry, it's safe! I don't step on joints or delicate areas.  Then I slowly increase the weight until you tell me to stop.  I'll then direct you through the stretch necessary to give you relief.

The cool thing about Rossiter is that you, the person in pain, is the "Person In Charge" the PIC.  You decide how hard you want to stretch, you decide how much weight is used, you decide what part of your body needs the work. Sometimes the workouts get rid of the pain the first time, sometimes it takes a few days of workouts.  and if it doesn't work for you?  Then I'll give you a free 1 hr massage, that is how much I believe in the power of the Rossiter stretch.

So, if you have pain and it interferes in your work, your life.  I can help you!  and if you have two or more therapists at your location, interested in a Rossiter workout - guess what?  for you?  I'll travel!

For more information   MyBodyWorks! Massage and Rossiter Center

What has pain taught me?

Part 2 - read Part 1 here.  

This:  I've learned to slow down and listen!  and then move.  Whether its outright pain or just an overall unproductive I can't think clearly state, slowing down and listening to my body always helps.

I learned this back when I used to get a bad spasm in my big toe. It happened frequently. I could not walk. Literally, I would hobble along on the side of my foot, hop, use my old field hockey stick as a cane... I couldn't ever walk barefoot, not on the beach, not even in the shower without that locked, frozen big toe thing happening. One day I lay down on the floor out of frustration and anger. I probably cried. My body relaxed. I sank into the floor. And after a time, I was able to get up, put on the sneakers and walk normally again.  

This is what I do. Try it! I hope it helps you.

Most often I start by lying down on the floor in a quiet place on my back. I become very still and I listen, I feel, I scan all the parts of me from my toes to my head. Usually, I get an impulse to move; my body tells me to move, stretch. So, I move what ever parts of me feel like moving. There are no rules. My body just goes where it needs to. Maybe it looks a little like yoga, except I don't hold poses much. I move, I reach for the edges, where my body wants to go. I take a little from Feldenkrais, a little from Rossiter, a little from Breema. I may bend my knees up to my chest, in a tight ball and lightly rock on my spine, I may roll on the floor side to side. Or roll a bit on a foam roller, leaning into the pain, releasing the tissue. Maybe I am inclined to stand or sit and stretch.  It's different every time.

I do this if I am in physical pain, I do it if I feel emotionally stuck and something frees up, releases.  I always feel better and more alive after. I try to do this daily, whether there is pain or not.

perfect balance

I'm an introvert.  Time to myself is very important.  I have a very active inner life, ha!   Summer is a challenging time for me because it is wrought with social activity and kids activity and if it doesn't have enough kid activity then my guilt meter rises dangerously.  Don't get me wrong, I do like people.  I am fascinated by people.  I like to socialize, visit with friends and do fun outside family activity, it's just that I struggle daily to make the balance of getting my time with all the other things I need to do around the house, for my work, for my kids and family.  If it were up to me entirely and I didn't feel responsible for an active family experience, I would  have a little cabin all to myself and spend hours and hours sitting reflecting, reading and writing and drinking tea.  (I did this once, spent 3 months in a tiny apartment with my 2 cats, a rocking chair, pen and notebook, tea and my books.)

Most days I manage to get an hour or 2 of time alone.  I wake earlier than anyone else.  Sit with my computer (blogging has been good!) and my coffee. I charge up my batteries to better greet the day and all the shifting demands that confront me throughout.  I sift through that inner active life in my brain to try and determine what is best for the day, to get the balance of needs both mundane and joyful.

Being a massage therapist fits my personality.  When I give a massage I am in that inner space.  It's different, obviously, I am not alone, but it's similar in that I tap in to that inner peace and have only one thing to do, connect with the client and focus on what their body needs, through my hands.  It is the perfect balance for me, of inner reflecting, connecting, dancing movement...

post 5 in 8 days (I started Aug 3rd) I have some catching up to do to get in 31 in 31!

Pain is My Teacher

Pain is one reason why I became a massage therapist.  My first massage was to get help in healing a shoulder injury. I was inspired by my wonderful therapist, she introduced me to the idea that I could pay attention to what my body was telling me and adjust what I was doing to prevent injury. I wanted to learn to do what she did as well as learn more about my body, why I was in pain, why I had aches and why I became injured so easily.

What is pain?

 It's communication!  It's one way our bodies communicate that something isn't right, that you should change what you're doing.  Sometimes the communication is instantaeous!  For instance, if you step on a thorn or have a stone in your shoe (not really pain, more like a nuisance, unless you ignore it, then it will be pain) and we hear the signal right away and take care of it.  Some signals are more subtle and we often are so busy rushing around that we just don't hear.  So, the signal gets louder.  If we still try to pretend nothing is wrong, then the signal gets even louder = pain!  and still many people don't do anything about it.  Sometimes we can't really do anything about it.  We keep pushing on.  In the case of walking a 20 mile walk for charity...  Your feet are likely to ache and hurt, but you keep going.   No one is coming to pick you up after all, not until you get to the finish line anyway. We don't do these types of things every day though, so it does make some sense to ignore that, keep going and finish so you can stop and take care of your feet.

Sometimes, and I think this is quite frequently what happens, we may hear the signal, but not really understand the message, or we don't think we can change it. So we ignore it, hope it goes away, live with this new normal. This often happens with repetitive movements that we do day after day after day, maybe because it's our job and we have to.

So then what?
tune in tomorrow!  or maybe later today since I'm off by a day and need 2 posts today to keep up!

Inspired by the Olympics

Well, I had an idea for a post today that I started, but didn't finish.  Then I got caught up in watching the Olympics and started thinking about bodies, muscles, and movement.  I love watching the athletes move!  I love seeing the different body types, all powerful in the way they need to be for their event.  Is it just me or does everyone wish they could move their body, challenge their muscles in the way these athletes do?  I remember as a child racing as fast as I could barefoot on the gravel road and beating the kid who rode a bicycle.  I remember playing street hockey, running games, baseball in the neighbors big yard.  As kids we really used our bodies full out.

In my high school year book, under my picture it says that my ambition was to be in the Olympics.  I was always embarrassed about that because it wasn't really what I had written.  I wanted it to say my ambition was to play field hockey in the Olympics.  I played field hockey in high school.  Made the varsity team in my freshman year even though I didn't know how to play the game.  I was fast and that was what the coach needed.  I loved playing, I loved putting my all in running, pushing my body beyond what was comfortable. Even when I played tennis or ran track (I ran the 880 and was quite good actually)  I loved the feeling of really sweating and using my muscles for all it was worth. By the time I was a senior and co-captain of the team, we were the league champions and played in the state tournament.  I even went on to play for 3 years in college.  I had some muscle/tendon issues in my knees, ankle, foot and ended up not playing senior year. Part of that was also because school and learning became more important to me by then.

Over the years I have had various aches and pains that always seem to derail any efforts at being as physical as I once was.  Whether it was my feet, so bad I couldn't walk when I was in my early 20's, knees, then a shoulder...  Every time I tried to "get in shape" I hurt something, pulled something, strained something.  But I haven't given up and now I finally feel like I've found something that is helping me to become stronger.  Better nutrition is helping to heal some old issues as well as build muscle, lose fat and feel great.  If you are at all interested, this is what I am doing for nutrition and exercise.  But mostly I am so very, very thankful for finding bodywork.  Massage, Rolfing, Chiropractic, and especially Rossiter workouts have all contributed over the years to my being able to move with less pain, get to know my body and figure out what it needs and how it needs to move.

I never did get to the Olympics, but who knows?  Maybe I'll get out there and at least run again one of these days!

Again! Again!

Last week, as I was putting together an appreciation package deal for my current clients, I was thinking about what makes some of them regular clients, what keeps them coming back?  Yes, some of it is that they like my massage, they like me - we're a good match for each other, but other people have said they like my massage, but they still don't come regularly.  What is the difference then?  So I asked a few of my clients why they take the time out of their busy lives to come here and get a massage regularly, some even weekly, even for a 2 hour massage!


Following are some of the responses.

• After a massage I see how life's many challenges and aggravations have so much less power to cause anxiety and stress. 
• I feel peaceful during and after and that carries over into my stressful business dealings.
• I know its good for me and I've come to realize that I'm important!
• It's easier to set a goal and to see the progress towards that goal.  
• It keeps the stress at bay, doesn't let it take over.  
• For me? it prevents sustained tension and possible injury. I've found that my muscles tighten and if they stay tense not only will I have pain, but I'm more apt to injure myself.  
• I get massage weekly because it helps me to maintain a healthy balance emotionally.  It also frees me from chronic stiffness and discomfort. 
• I'm more productive when I am not in pain.
• It reduces the need for seeking medical attention and so I save money. 

Some of this reminded me of "put on your own oxygen mask first."  Take care of yourself first, then you're in better shape to care for what's important to you.  


So, is it just a matter of different perspectives - maintenance and prevention for some and "if it isn't broken don't fix it" for others?   prevent issues vs. fixing issues?  Hmm and now I think I need to ask people why they do not get regular massage!


Do you get massage regularly?  Why or why not?

a challenge! and I am ready!

Hello!  Today, August 3, 2012, I am coming back to the blog.  I've been meaning to get back to it, I certainly have plenty of ideas and topics to write about.  And now a challenge has recently been issued, so I am taking it.

The challenge is 31 in 31, to write a blog post every day for 31 days.  I certainly can do that right? about the subject I love? massage, the body, movement...  I do want to thank Kelli Wise who I only know of through facebook and mutual friends, and Allissa Haines, and Eric Brown for the spreading the word about the challenge because I have been planning to do this for quite some time and a challenge is just what I needed to get going.   So, count me in!

Enough about my blogging challenge though.  Now something for you. another challenge!  I've been thinking a great deal lately about massage and how it impacts a person's life, especially when they make a regular appointment, every week, every 2 weeks or every month.  These people have made a commitment.  Not just to the schedule, but to their bodies, their selves, their well-being.  They are committed to caring for themselves, recognizing the importance of doing something just for them. Now I challenge all of you to make some commitment to doing something for you.  It could be 10 minutes of meditation every day.  It could be a walk every day or going to the gym, doing yoga once a week.  When you do this though, don't think of it as a chore or routine, "I have to do this everyday" but embrace it as the thing you do to recognize you are important.  Find the thing that works for you.  Commit to it and share it here!

I will be getting on the mat on the floor every day for a couple of stretches and some time to pay attention to my body.  What are you going to do?  Or, if you already do something regularly, please share!