Issue link: http://cp.revolio.com/i/26357
example, would interfere with that sedative space, he says. “I want it all to be seamless and mindless. I don’t want anything to cause the mind to stop and say, ‘What is that?’” But what can reaching the quiet stillness of massage mind actually do for clients? Plenty. “When the brain is in this meditative state, it is able to sort through the clutter and focus on any areas that need it, allowing healing to occur at the cellular level,” says Pat Crozier, a massage educator and therapist in Chandler, Arizona. “I honestly believe that in those quiet, restorative moments, the brain has ‘all power’ and can hugely impact the massage experience. The meditative mind is a wonderful place to hang out. It’s calming, strengthening, restorative, and clearing.” QUIETING THE MIND In Buddhist tradition, the phrase “monkey mind” refers to the chatter that often goes on in the personal dialog we undertake with ourselves every day, every moment. Like a monkey jumping from limb to limb, monkey mind is the process of jumping from thought to thought without a singular focus. When our busy mind can do nothing but be chaotic, stressed, and scattered, it is in the throes of monkey mind. Calming the monkey mind, and realizing instead the massage mind, can have profound effects. Many massage therapists say that some of the Rick Giase photography. most therapeutic work that happens on the massage table is when the mind “gets out of the way.” Hopkins says that’s exactly his goal when working with the cancer patients who come to him for massage. “The mind has a profound effect on all physiological processes,” he says. In fact, when you can get the mind to quiet itself, Hopkins says the body will heal faster on its own. His clients affirm spring 2011 Body Sense 9 Benefits of Massage for the Body • Alleviates low-back pain and increases range of motion. • Creates body self-awareness. • Improves elasticity of skin and promotes skin rejuvenation. • Improves muscle tone and stimulates their nerve supply. • Improves sleep and calms the mind. • Increases endorphin and seratonin production. • Reduces edema, as well as joint inflammation. • Releases negative holding patterns from previous injuries. • Stimulates lymph circulation and enhances immunity.