A comfortable, professional relationship with
a massage therapist allows us the opportunity to experience our bodies as acceptable. Caring touch communicates safety and approval, boosting both self-esteem and inner peace. “Healing is about learning, so trust your
body’s signals and find out what works for you,” writes Susan Mumford in Healing Massage (CICO, 2007). Then ask your massage therapist for what is most helpful to you. “Your body has … a wonderfully intricate
interaction with everything around you,” writes Dr. Eugene T. Gendlin in Focusing (The Guilford Press, 1998). “There is a kind of bodily awareness that profoundly influences our lives and that can help us reach personal goals.” Learning to accept the body (and its
messages) is a continuous, lifelong journey and regular massage is a way to practice body reverence. Utilize bodywork sessions to nurture the connection between your body and mind and experience complete acceptance of yourself, exactly as you are. B
S
Laurie Chance Smith is a Texas-based writer and photographer who writes for national and international markets on a plethora of topics. She can be reached at lauriechancesmith@yahoo.com.
autumn/winter 2010
