So you do massages?

There is no simple answer to what I do. To some it may be trivial. To me, it is monumental. Saying that I do massages does get the message across, but it is highly reductionistic. My work is, in fact, deeply holistic and transformative. An article published in the US National Library of Medicine suggests a scientific explanation for what I have subjectively and intuitively experienced as being the case in my massage practice. You can read it here.

For those that want the short story, the article talks, in part, about how just the act of touching itself could potentially have an impact at a DNA level throughout the entire body.

When it comes to my work, one thing that I want to make clear from the start is that I claim no scientific or medical expertise. I also do not consider myself as having any “special abilities” and do not offer “healing”.

I believe that anyone could, in theory, do what I do. In practice, I have never experienced anything similar for myself. What I say to those who ask, is that I offer wellness massages in which I include breathwork, deep tissue and lymphatic drainage techniques, as well as occasionally addressing words of kindness towards the client’s body. Below I explain each of these a bit more in depth:

The breathwork:

I invite my clients to take deep slow breaths. Especially when I apply a lot of pressure to the tense areas, the best results always come when the client does not hold their breath, which brings the entire process to an abrupt  halt. Breath is necessary. The body will not relax without it. If you hold your breath as I am working the contracted areas, my work is of little to no effect. So please, keep breathing. It will make a huge difference.

The deep tissue massage:

This massage technique is intense. I work slow and careful, but as strong as the body can safely receive. I use my elbows, palms and forearms. If needed, I leverage my entire bodyweight so that I can apply as much force as possible. Because of the intensity, I always ask for feedback during this work. The client is free to stop me any time or ask for less if it is too much.

The Lymphatic drainage:

This one is gentle. I may apply slight pressure here and there but overall expect a softer touch. The physical purpose is to get the lymphatic fluid to move along in the right direction and eventually drain into the heart. The “energetic” purpose (or my intention, we could say), is to encourage the soft tissues (fascia and lymph) to surrender their tension, allowing this sense of inner flowing. I imagine it as the body’s vitality becoming unblocked and moving freely again.

The words of kindness:

This one is a bit tricky to explain. I do not do it often, and I do not do it on command. My rule is that I only say it if I truly feel it. That’s because saying something that I don’t actually mean feels harmful (and because I don’t like it). This was inspired by the Hawaiian technique Ho’oponopono and I predominantly use the words “I’m sorry”, “I love you”, & “thank you”, but there is always some variation. As it involves entering a more sensitive and vulnerable state, I always ask for the client’s permission first. I intuitively discovered that an additional offering of kind, loving words together with the massage creates a space of deep relief and recognition. Tears sometimes follow and they are welcome. When that happens I just stop and hold a firm, grounding touch until it dies down, and then continue. I am not a therapist, but I am honored and moved by the comfort and relief that my work is able to provide.