It’s our fundamental right to feel safe here on Earth. If, for whatever reason, we weren't able to embody this truth, we can feel a general disconnect and anxiety. We may feel unable to ground and relax into trust that we are supported and held. Allowing ourselves to receive human touch can be a powerful remedy for this.
From the moment we land into this physical world, we yearn for the touch of another being. Skin to skin, the practice of placing baby immediately onto Mum and/or Dad’s chest is widely recognised as being majorly beneficial for baby’s ability to bond and relax into it’s new environment. This fundamental need for connection with other humans remains throughout our lifetime.
Massage therapy is one of our oldest forms of healing. The Roman, Egyptians and Ancient Greeks, with their love of well-being and beauty, understood the deeply restorative powers of massage (and if it’s good enough for them it’s good enough for us). Whether to you massage is a luxurious treat or a weekly necessity, there’s no denying it feels yummy and has a range of powerful benefits for the body, mind, heart and soul.
A massage therapist uses their body (hands/elbows) or objects such as hot stones to stimulate the skin, muscles and tissues by applying varying levels of pressure. Some massages target the deeper layers of tissue (such as Shiatsu) while some are more gentle focusing on relaxation and sensation. Massage works on different layers of the Human system from the physical to mental and emotional.
Received regularly, massage is preventative medicine. It can provide a range of health benefits for the body and mind including:
- Deep release of muscular tension & soothing of pain
- Improved circulation
- Reduced stress levels (relaxed nervous system = strong immune system)
- Improved sleep
- Increased lymphatic draining (removes toxins from the body)
Massage works to release accumulated tension, aiding the body’s natural detoxification process. It has a profound effect on lymphatic drainage which carries waste and toxins out of the system, allowing for a free flow of energy through the body. It’s stressors – both large and small – that cause us to contract in (usual culprits) shoulders, neck, jaw but anywhere can store tension. And over time, unless we consciously work to release them, blockages place a big strain on the body and can result in dis-ease. Unless our circulation can flow, like our prana (life force energy), we’re gonna hit problems.
We’re so interconnected that the relaxation of a tense body results in the relaxation of a tense mind, not to mention how soothing it is to have someone else lavish you with touch for over an hour.
Being massaged can soothe anxiety and relieve depression, grounding us into our bodies and allowing us to practice receiving and surrender. By placing our trust in another Human being to nurture and care for us, this stimulates the root chakra which is arguably the most important of our energy centres (if we have a shaky foundation how can we expect to grow and flourish?) The root chakra is about us grounding, being unafraid to take up space, safe and supported, moving with confidence in this physical world. It’s our fundamental right to feel safe here on Earth. If, for whatever reason, we weren't able to embody this truth, we can feel a general disconnect and anxiety. We may feel unable to ground and relax into trust that we are supported and held. Allowing ourselves to receive human touch can be a powerful remedy for this.
Now we know how potent and healing massage therapy is, which one do we choose? Another major benefit, there’s just so many to try. Here’s three to consider;
Indian Head Massage: This ancient practice works with the upper body, the shoulders, upper back, neck, jaw and scalp. It relieves head tensions no end and leaves you feeling weightless and deeply relaxed.
Swedish Massage: If we lived in Sweden we’d call this simply a ‘classic’ massage - an extremely popular choice because of it’s calming, rejuvenating effects on the nervous system and it’s profound benefits for health, this treatment works the soft tissues and muscles and just feels great. Using various techniques, a Swedish massage therapist uses five main types of massage techniques in a Swedish massage: stroking and gliding; kneading; rubbing; tapping or pounding; vibration. Yes please.
Biodynamic Rebalancing Massage: This therapy views Humans as energetic beings who require harmony within themselves and their surroundings to maintain good health. It works on these principles: health is apparent when there is a free flow of energy in the system, individuals have the capacity to self heal and to self regulate, Illness is regarded as being out of harmony with oneself and our surroundings.
Massage therapy is another beautiful way to signal to ourselves and the universe that we deserve to look after our well-being, that we deserve optimal health and radiant vitality, because we do, every single day.
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