How to receive the best massage ever.

People have often asked me what’s my favorite massage to receive. The best sessions for me are when I feel like I am floating in the ether, I’m on the table but I’m not. Something more than just physical is happening. There’s an out of this world feeling. When the session is over it takes a minute to come back to earth and to get grounded. My body, mind and spirit feel touched. The benefits from the session are obvious and last for days. I feel better and know a healing change has happened. Different types of body work have given me this sensation from a quick chair massage to deep tissue or quantum shiatsu but the one constant is me and how I show up for my session.

FIND A THERAPIST YOU TRUST

This is a very crucial part because being touched is intimate. Even more so since we are in the midst of a pandemic. Be mindful of practitioners that make claims that they can heal you, it’s a dangerous to give someone so much control and it’s not true. While it might be nice if someone could wave a magic wand to fix everything, bodywork is a co-creative relationship. You have to find someone you can work together with to create the change you are looking for. Find a therapist who is open to following your unique process and not imposing their beliefs on you and respects your time. You should feel comfortable sharing what is going on with your health and they should be a good listener and make space for you to feel comfortable. Consider the practitioner’s education and experience. Are they licensed and insured? Talk with your friends and family to see if there is a practitioner that they can refer. You’ll never receive the best massage ever if you don’t trust the therapist.

BE RECEPTIVE

Have a goal and the belief that change is possible. Be present and in your body as much as possible, this might take practice. Do what you can quiet your mind. Make every effort to leave your stressors at the door. The best massage therapist in the universe cannot make you relax. They can bring your awareness to areas where you are holding and will have techniques that should help support relaxation and healing but it will be much more effective if you consciously make the effort to let go. Just focusing on your breath and sending it to the area where the therapist is working can very helpful. It helps keep you embodied, present and deep breathing reduces blood pressure and stress.

FIND YOUR STYLE

Find a style of massage that you like. Every body is different and some love deep tissue while other people like Swedish. Gaining awareness and the ability to be an advocate for yourself is a vital part of the healing process. There are many different types of bodywork available. One of my favorite reference books is Discovering the Body’s Wisdom. It has introductions to over 50 different “Bodyways” and exploring different styles of bodywork is important if you haven’t found one you love.

PARTICIPATE

Your body is not a car you’re dropping off for an oil change. If you make the choice to receive a session, show up for it. Take some time before to connect with what is going on in your body (mind/spirit) so you can set a goal for what you’d like to work on. Communicate these things with your therapist. If the pressure doesn’t feel right let them know, hopefully they will ask in ways that make you comfortable sharing but most people can’t read minds. The more you pay attention during your session and start making the connections between what you do in your body and how you feel, the longer lasting the results will be because of the heightened awareness you will develop. After you session be mindful of habits that may not be beneficial for your well being. Follow through on suggestions the practitioner makes if they are in alignment with you. Commit to your health and well being.