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Massage therapists are in the unique position of being in a profession that is both physically and mentally demanding. Helping your clients find relief from pain and stress can take its toll on your own body if you aren’t diligent about self-care. The following article will give you several ideas you can use to ensure that, as well as taking care of your clients, you are also keeping yourself healthy.

12self-care secretsYour profession is a demanding one. Taking care of Yourself is necessarY.By AriAnA Vincent

course descripTionThe purpose of this course is to help you achieve a balance in your busy life. By integrating mind, body and spirit through this simple 12-step process, you canmake a state of bal-ance an integral part of your daily life. This self-care will benefit you both personally and professionally.

ce crediTs : 4.0

course objecTivesThis course describes a simple 12-step process of self-care. When you finish this course you will be able to:• List three benefits of practicing a program of self-care.• List four techniques for centering yourself.• Define the value of setting boundaries. • List five ways preventive care will protect you.• List four ways to tailor a physical exercise program to your needs. • Describe how to benefit from gravity, body awareness and reinvention of

body mechanics.• List six techniques that protect your hands.• List three ways to ensure clear communication.• List four benefits of mindfulness.• Describe how practicing good ethics and massage for yourself are of benefit

to you.• List four ways to refresh your perspective.• Describe three breathing techniques.• Define the role of compassionate love in the massage therapy setting.

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Centering yourself is the most important part of creating a peaceful atmo-sphere where you and those around you can feel relaxed, bringing aware-ness and mindfulness to every activity. When you are centered, you can dwell totally in the present moment, releasing all thoughts and concerns about the past as well as releasing projections into the future. Following are some simple exercises that you can do anywhere at any time to help you center yourself.

conTracT/Hold/release TecHnique:Sit in a comfortable chair or cushion with your spine erect and feet flat on the ground. Keep your head up with your chin tilted slightly downward in a comfortable, relaxed, but awake and aware position. As thoughts come in to your mind, acknowledge them and let them go; don’t try to follow them or solve any problems, just let them come and go. Close your eyes and relax. Breathe slowly in through your nose and out through your mouth. Continue this breathing pattern throughout the entire practice. Beginning with your scalp and face, contract your scalp and facial muscles for five seconds while inhaling, hold your breath, and then exhale slowly. As you exhale, release your scalp and facial muscles for twenty seconds. Continue down your body with rhythmic contractions and expansions while following your breath, including one breathing cycle for each of these areas: neck, shoulders, arms, hands, torso, stomach, hips, gluteals, thighs, knees, lower legs, ankles and feet. Conclude this centering exercise by contracting the muscles of the entire body, head to toe, pausing for a brief moment, and then releasing the con-tractions with an exhale. This act of consciously contracting and releasing while following your breath will relieve tension in muscles, tendons and liga-ments, while also facilitating an opening, releasing and relaxing at the very core of your being.

mediTaTion: Meditation is a practice you can use to relax the body, calm the mind and

center yourself. This practice is also a centering technique by which you can get beyond the reflexive “think-ing” mind into a deeper state of re-laxation or awareness. There are many ways to meditate. The process you choose is up to you based on your own responses and insights as you travel along the med-itative path. Be gentle with yourself and plan to make a consistent time twice a day to practice until it be-comes as natural as breathing. Medi-tating for 20 minutes twice a day helps facilitate a feeling of calm and centeredness, and also helps give you a new perspective from which to move more mindfully in the world. The first step in your plan for peaceful meditation is to find a qui-et, serene place where you won’t be disturbed. In this calm environment, find a comfortable place to sit, either in a chair or on a cushion or medi-tation bench. Take a deep, relaxing breath and close your eyes. Con-tinue breathing deeply and rhyth-mically in a tranquil, natural man-ner. Focus on your breath instead of your thoughts. With each additional breath, you will begin to feel every part of your body relaxing. Choose not to let any thoughts distract you or interfere with your meditating. Continue to return to your breathing again and again. Breathe in, breathe out, relax and follow your breath. End the cycle by taking three deep relaxing breaths

conscious centering1If massage therapists disconnect mentally from their cli-ents during sessions, the disconnection will be felt, either subtly or deeply. Being totally focused in the present moment can make a profound difference in the outcome of the healing process. Center-ing techniques help ensure that you are in the receptive and balanced state needed to be fully present.

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and slowly opening your eyes. Sit for a while longer and enjoy the tran-quility.

during a massage THerapY session:Using breathing techniques and in-ternally repeating a simple word or phrase can greatly enhance your ability to be focused and present for your client. You can experiment with breathing out on the outstroke and breathing in on the recovery stroke. The purpose of utilizing a mantra, such as Om, is primarily to achieve one-pointed concentration. The word you choose may have a spe-cial resonance for you. Whatever your choice, the repetition becomes a continuous flow of consciousness while releasing attachment to the internal chatter of the mind.

savasana: Another excellent way of centering yourself is by practicing savasana,

also known as the corpse pose in the Hatha yoga tradi-tion. The benefits of savasana include calming the mind and helping relieve stress; relaxing the body; reducing headache, fatigue and insomnia; and lowering blood pressure. To begin, relax your body in a neutral anatomical pos-ture lying in a supine position on the floor or on your yoga mat. Place an eye pillow or soft cloth over your eyes. Your arms and legs are extended and your palms are facing up. Tilt your pelvis slightly up and gently return it to a neutral position. Inhale and slowly relax your legs, your arms, your face and your entire body. Make sure your shoulder blades are resting evenly on the floor. Soften the root of your tongue by letting the tongue relax in your mouth with the tip of your tongue gen-tly touching the roof of your mouth at the back of your teeth. Relax your forehead and the area around the eyes. Let your eyes sink toward the back of your head. Release your brain. Continue your steady, even breath-ing while maintaining this relaxed pose for at least 10 minutes or more. When you’re ready to return to a seated position, first roll to one side, preferably the right side, and rest gently in a fetal position, taking two or three breaths. With an-other exhalation, press your hands against the floor and lift your torso into a sitting posture.

To browse the variety of AMTA Online Courses on subjects such as self-care, business, modalities and ethics, please visit the AMTA continuing education page at www. amtamassage.org.

the benefits of savasana include calming the mind and helping relieve stress; relaxing the body; reducing headache, fatigue and insomnia; and lowering blood pressure.

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Setting healthy boundaries revolves around learning to take care of yourself, no matter what distractions may tempt you. In many ways, boundaries define who we are and who we are not. Boundaries are appropriate emotional and physi-cal distances that you maintain between yourself and another so that you do not become overly enmeshed, dependent or co-dependent. While similarities between you and your client can be perceived as a strength be-cause of your ability to relate to their situation, they can also be a challenge. And while certain boundaries may be quite clear, in other situations maintaining healthy boundaries may be more muddled and confusing. Establishing and maintaining clearly defined bound-aries and adhering to them is an ongoing process requir-ing vigilance on your part. Remember, in a therapeutic environment, setting and maintaining healthy boundar-ies is the responsibility of the therapist, not the clients. You should aim for developing boundaries that are healthy, reasonable and empowering. Avoid being over-

The most effective approach to pre-venting injury takes into account the whole person: body, mind and spirit. How can we tru-ly practice self-care if we do not incorporate and honor proactive, preventive measures in our personal and professional lives? One of the most common injuries among massage practitioners is overuse syndrome. Overuse syndrome, also called cumulative trauma disorder or repetitive strain injury, is a condition characterized by chronic irritation to any body part, most commonly the thumb, the wrist and the elbow. Symptoms may also include tenderness, tightness and/or sore-ness in the forearm, elbow and/or shoulder. Monitoring the number of sessions you offer per week, working out regularly to maintain strength, and keeping a focused awareness of your body mechanics can vastly reduce the likelihood of overuse syndrome. Unhealthy work situations can increase a massage therapist’s injury risk. Make sure your room is the proper size, well-ventilated, and the flooring is clean and comfortable. Sched-ule your sessions, if possible, with sufficient time between clients to stretch, breathe, hy-drate and relax. Focus on good body mechan-ics, keeping your table at the proper height, for example. Be sure to wear comfortable clothing

and shoes with proper support, and limit the number of sessions you offer per week. Review your schedule at the beginning of each week. Either the preceding evening or the first thing each morning, look at an overview of your day’s schedule and determine what ev-ery client will need in terms of linens, lotions, equipment, hot packs, cold packs, hot stones, spa treatments, pregnancy cushions, extra pil-lows and paperwork. Planning your day at the beginning of the day not only reduces stress, but also the possibility of accidents occurring as you rush around trying to get ready for the next client. Also, educate yourself about communicable diseases regarding causes, transmission, and safety precautions for massage therapists, and keep abreast of current research. Know what you can do to keep your immune system healthy by following good health habits such as adequate sleep, proper diet and a positive perspective. You need to make a commitment to get enough sleep, as well. If you don’t get sufficient sleep you will be less productive, less mentally sharp, and more prone to the effects of stress. Make an effort to get a full eight hours of sleep, letting your body restore itself each night.

establishing healthy boundaries.ly flexible or rigid. An example of an overly flexible boundary might be offering 12 sessions a day because a colleague didn’t show up for work. A healthy boundary would be to set the maximum number of sessions per day to six—regardless of external circumstances beyond your control. Healthy boundaries create a healthy lifestyle; unhealthy boundaries cre-ate dysfunction and depletion. Remember to set healthy bound-aries with your family members and friends, as well. Have them schedule appointments with you for massage therapy sessions instead of expect-ing free work. Reinvent your bound-ary-setting techniques, if necessary, to be even more self-compassionate and self-protective.

the power of prevention.

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If you’re just starting an exercise program, you might want to find a qualified personal trainer, yoga teacher, Pilate’s instructor, physical therapist or other health care professional to guide you, monitor your movements and note your progress. Before beginning an exercise pro-gram, be sure to consult a health care professional to verify you are physically fit. You need to stay hydrated throughout your workout. Muscles are composed of approximately 70 percent water, and the brain is composed of approximately 80 percent. Consult your fitness expert regarding proper hydration for your exercise program. While specific fluid recommen-dations aren’t possible due to individual variability, the American College of Sports Medicine encourages athletes to hydrate before and after working out, as well as every 10–15 minutes during exercise. Begin your exercises slowly with a warm up, and take time to cool down at the end of the session. Start with slow, steady movement sequences that increase your heart rate and muscle range. To cool down, slow your range and pace, deepening your breathing. Many people like to wear a heart rate monitor so they can check their aerobic threshold and their progress as they become more fit. Focus on strengthening areas that would be most beneficial to you personally as part of your ongoing self-care. Also, focus on strengthening areas that would be beneficial to you as a profes-sional massage therapist. Everyone has uniquely designed biochemical and physical systems, so create your own exercise regimen instead of relying on what someone else might be doing. Many people like to alternate their focus, working one day on building upper body strength, another day on lower body strength and a third day on core conditioning. Variety can keep you interested and engaged in your self-care fitness program. Making friends at the gym and/or find-ing a workout friend can keep you motivated. In addition to your existing exercise routine, try finding other activities you love that also provide some exercise.

restorative exercise. 4find a physical therapist or other health care professional to guide you, monitor your movements and note your progress.

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Ask yourself, “What can I do to improve my body mechanics?” Developing awareness of utilizing good body mechanics in the infancy of your massage therapy practice can be your No. 1 key to successfully maintaining an injury-free, long-term massage therapy career. As Benjamin Franklin said, “It is easier to prevent bad habits than to break them.” Cultivate a healthy habit of being mindful of your body mechanics at all times. By utilizing prop-er body mechanics, you will be better equipped to effectively address your client’s needs without sacrificing those of your own body. Use your body efficiently to produce the most effective move-ment with the least amount of effort. Remain upright as much as possible as you work, instead of leaning over the table or reaching to complete a stroke. The instant you take your body out of a neutral anatomical posture, you are reducing your body’s ability to create movement efficiently. You can avoid the discomfort of work-ing in a contorted posture by changing the position of the client, changing the height of your table, standing erect and moving at the knees. Try working with the client in the side-lying position, which permits you to remain upright as you work. Utilize the larger muscles of the back and shoulders to create movement instead of the smaller muscles in your arms and hands. Let your energy come from your central core rather than from muscular effort. Keep your wrists comfortably straight as you massage. Bending your wrists back or hyperextending as you apply pressure places pressure on the nerves and blood vessels of your wrists, which can quickly lead to injury. Monitor the position of your feet as you work. Notice if your feet are following the same direc-tion of force as is being applied to the body. If you notice that one of your feet is externally rotated enough so that the pelvis rotates, you may find that low back pain is the result. Maintain a stabilized posture for the torso by having the shoulder girdle, pelvic girdle and head on the same plane instead of twisting your shoulders in a direction different from the hip. Watch the position of your head. Is your head up looking out the window or at pictures on the wall, or is your head hanging down as you work? If so, gently remind yourself to keep your head in a neutral

body mechanics.

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anatomical position, neither up nor down, with the head in alignment with the spinal column. Make sure, too, that the massage table and your chair are at the proper height, so your arms, neck and back will be comfortable throughout the ses-sion. Verify that your massage table is at the proper height. As a general rule, your fingertips or first knuckle should reach the top of the table when your arms are hanging in a relaxed position at your sides. This method of measur-ing varies, depending on whether or not you have a long or short torso or long or short legs or arms. A table that is too tall will cause you to be forced to use upper body muscle strength instead of using leverage and gravity to apply compressive forces. Allow your body mechanics to be fluid, dynamic and flowing by reinvent-ing, if necessary, your patterns related to body movement. Be gentle with yourself during this ongoing process of evaluation and re-evaluation by fo-cusing on noticing and observing rather than judging and criticizing. Simply allow yourself to be an objective observer of your own body mechanics. When sitting at your desk entering client notes or sending e-mails, note the ergonomics of your workstation. Make sure the back of the chair sup-ports the inward curve of your lower back, your chest is open, elbows and knees are comfortable at 90 degree angles, upper back is straight, and your feet are flat on the floor or on a specially designed footrest for computer stations. Train yourself to avoid slouching. This practice is especially im-portant if you are working on a laptop in a place other than your permanent computer workstation. Slouching stresses the back and causes the ribs to curve forward, depressing breathing. If you wear bifocals, get some special

computer glasses that will allow you to see the screen without having to tilt your head back, which can cause the muscles of the back of the neck to compress. No doubt you appreciate the fact that your hands are key tools of your trade. Value them and do your best to protect them from in-jury. Experience has shown that it can be helpful to incorporate the following techniques for injury pre-vention specifically related to the hands. Use a variety of modalities in your practice: craniosacral, manual lymphatic drainage, hydrotherapy, aromatherapy and spa treatments. This can cut down on the amount of intensive hands-on work you do in each massage. Avoid utilizing massage tech-niques that cause your hands pain or discomfort. You have your choice of thousands of techniques that you can perform without pain. Educate yourself and learn a variety of mas-sage techniques. Go to workshops, read informative articles and books, and watch educational DVDs.

Allow your body mechanics to be fluid, dynamic and flowing by reinventing your patterns related to body movement.

Be gentle with yourself during this ongoing process of evaluation and re-evaluation.

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The purpose of practicing mindfulness is to develop calm concentration through non-judgmental awareness. Mindfulness allows you to be in a whole host of situations and main-tain a sense of equanimity. One of the most wonderful things about being a massage therapist is that you have the opportunity to be in the middle of potentially life-changing, challenging events. When you mindfully reflect on events while at the same time holding them in your thoughts, you enhance not only your own well-being, but also that of the client. Mindfulness is described as a mental state characterized by concentrated awareness of one’s thoughts, actions or intentions. It’s a process of bringing a certain quality of attention to our moment-by-moment experience, rather than being immersed in thoughts about the past or concerns about the future. Becoming more aware of ourselves and others is the key to a successful career. Massage thera-pists and bodyworkers are often living the “code of the caretaker.” Mindfulness provides an op-portunity to taste the universal aspects of stillness and well-being, clarity, wisdom, compassion, and self-compassion. Being mindful can help us cope with stress, anxiety, pain, change and illness. When practicing mindfulness, one sees that the mind is continually chattering with commentary or judgment. By taking notice of this, one has the opportunity to carefully observe those thoughts and see them for what they are without aversion or judgment. Remember, thoughts are just thoughts. In a state of mindfulness we are free to release a thought when we realize that it may not reflect concrete reality or absolute truth. Mindfulness frees us from our internal commentary so that we can observe life in the present.

Regularly ask yourself if you are receiving the results you want in your life, or if you feel that you need to modify your methods of communicating. Being an effective commu-nicator takes extraordinary skill. Communication skills have to be developed, honed, nurtured and added to on an on-going basis. Language is one of the most powerful reflections of how we think and feel about ourselves and others. Whether you are communicating in person or electronically, one of the greatest skills you can possibly have is to focus on understanding and empathizing with another person’s point of view. This ability allows you can adjust your communication to better connect with that person in a way that works for both of you. Another essential communication skill involves developing the habit of remembering a per-son’s name. When you are introduced, ask the person to repeat his or her name. Use the name yourself as often as possible during the course of your initial conversation. If it is unusual, ask how it’s spelled, its origin or what it means. Keep in mind that the more often you hear and see the name, the more likely you’ll remember. Review the name in your mind, visualize the person associated with the name, write the name down and make a few quick notes about distinguish-ing characteristics or topics you discussed. One of the common barriers to effective communication involves being unaware of the un-confirmed assumptions we make that can sabotage clear understanding. One effective way to deal with this is to say to the other person, “I’m making an assumption here about … Do you agree with this perspective?”

6clear communication.

mindfulness.7

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Ethics has to do with consistency of actions, values, methods, measures, principles, expec-tations and outcomes. A professional practitioner’s intake form is one place where you can present your statement of ethics to your clients. For example, the bottom of the intake form could include the following information related to ethics (This is only an example. Be sure you are practicing within your state’s defined scope of practice): By signing this form, the client implicitly agrees to ad-here to these stated ethical standards:•� The goal of this session is stress reduction and relief of muscular tension.• The massage therapist will apply a combination of mas-

sage techniques, including acupressure, Swedish mas-sage, traction and stretches to your shoulders, upper pectoral muscles, arms, hands, neck, head, legs, feet, abdominal area and back.

• The therapist will work only in the areas indicated above.

• You may choose to tell the therapist to omit any ar-eas.

• Massage therapy practitioners are not qualified to perform spinal or skeletal adjustments, diagnose, pre-scribe, or treat any physical or mental illness, and nothing said in the course of the session should be construed as such.

• Massage of the breasts of females and genital massage is not performed in this office.

• Sexual intimacy between therapist and client is never

empowering ethics.

appropriate.• You, the client, or I, the massage therapist, may end

the massage at any time for any reason.• You, the client, will discuss with the massage thera-

pist, prior to the massage, if you have any indications or contraindications for massage therapy, and provide information about any injuries, recent surgeries or physical conditions that may be affected by massage therapy.

When dealing with a difficult client, think about ways that you can respond to the client’s challenges in a pro-fessional and ethical manner. Consider the topic of eth-ics in advertising and on websites. Ask yourself how you can present information to the public that is accurate, reliable and ethical. Contemplate ways that you can respect the client’s right to confidentiality while following the code of eth-ics. Avoid discussing client cases on elevators, in res-taurants and in other public places. Respect their right to privacy. Consider what things you do to maintain a business within your scope of practice and your limita-tions. Do you have a ready-made referral list of trusted professionals? If not, consider preparing one. Consistently following clear ethical guidelines will enhance your professional life in every way. Colleagues and clients will perceive you as someone who is dedicat-ed to serving clients in the most ethical and professional way possible.

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9Perception is the process by which you interpret and organize sensations to produce a meaningful experience of the world. Think about any ways in which your perceptions may be depleting your emotional reserve. Consider letting clouded or negative perceptions go by changing your perspective. You have often heard, “It is not so much what happens to you, as it is how you perceive what happens to you that matters.” You might find that inspirational quotes can help refresh your perspective and serve as ex-amples of success, courage and faith. They can be reminders that help us carry on with our lives and our goals. Think about starting or expanding a journal that includes inspiring quotes and words of wisdom. You will find yourself going back to them time and time again, drawing renewed energy and strength from them.

Here Are THree quOTes TO yOu MigHT wAnT TO Add TO yOur COlleCTiOn:

“What you leave behind is not what is engraved in stone monuments, but what is woven into the lives of others.”—PeriCles

“There is a thought in your mind right now. The lon-ger you hold on to it, the more you dwell upon it, the more life you give to that thought. Give it enough life, and it will become real. So make sure the thought is indeed a great one.”—rAlPH MArsTOn

“How far you go in life depends on your being tender with the young, compassionate with the aged, sympa-thetic with the striving and tolerant of the weak and the strong—because some day you will have been all of these.”—geOrge wAsHingTOn CArver

gaining perspective.

Additional ways to renew your perspective include reducing activities that cloud perception. Carving out quiet time in your life for meditation and prayer, and par-ticipating in retreat experiences, can also have a positive effect and provide you with a new perspective.

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Are there things that you are telling your clients that you aren’t doing for yourself? Consider, for instance, suggesting that your clients receive regular massage sessions. Are you creating the time to experience the multiple benefits of receiving massage yourself? One way to practice good self care is to schedule regular massage therapy sessions. Make sure that you get a massage once a week. We all know the benefits of massage. It keeps you physically, mentally and emotionally in touch with what you do everyday. Massage therapy can help prevent injuries, relieve stress and cleanse the body of any physical, emotional and energetic toxins. Research has shown that touch has positive systemic effects for the in-dividual suffering from pain as it influences the immune system, the en-docrine system and the cardiovascular system. In Molecules of Emotion, neuroscientist Dr. Candace Pert details how her neurochemistry research and a host of other events led her to the realization that “our emotions and our biochemistry are part of one continuous information loop that accounts for how we feel and how mind-body medicine works.” By employing touch, we rejuvenate and refresh the mind while improving joint movement and increasing the flow of blood and nutrients to muscles and other tissue. The effectiveness of touch lies in a simple and direct strat-egy: working from the outer mechanisms of pain to the primary, root cause. Touch not only helps relieve muscle and other soft tissue pain, but also has an impact on the recipient by virtue of healthy, caring human contact. Touch can soothe, comfort and convey caring in a way that words never can, decreasing anxiety. The simple act of touching is so powerful that it can slow your heart rate, decrease your blood pressure and strengthen your immune system. When it comes to speaking out for the clinical importance of touch, Deep-ak Chopra has few peers. As he talks about how rich in hormones and bio-logically active the skin is, he explains that, “when we stimulate the skin, we can release, literally, a shower of healing chemicals into our blood stream.”

10massage.

This mtj article serves as the basis for the AMTA Online Course of the same name. To register for the course and receive continuing education hours and a certificate of completion for the Online Course, please visit www.amtaonlinetraining.org.

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Proper breathing techniques help to bring more oxygen to the blood and to the brain. There are three basic types of breathing:1. Clavicular breathing is the shallowest type. The shoulders and collarbone are raised while the abdomen is contracted during inhalation. Maximum ef-fort is made, but a minimum amount of air is obtained.

2. Thoracic breathing, done with the rib muscles expanding the rib cage, is the second type of incomplete breathing.

3. Deep abdominal breathing brings air to the lowest and largest part of the lungs. Breathing is slow and deep, and proper use is made of the dia-phragm.

Actually, none of these types are complete. A full deep breath combines all three, beginning with a deep abdominal breath and continuing the inhala-tion through the intercostal (mid-chest) and clavicular (upper chest) areas.

Here is a quick and easy breathing exercise you can try. Sit or lie down, inhale slowly while saying to yourself, “I am …” On the exhale, slowly say to yourself, “ … relaxed.”

For a more comprehensive, but still simple, breathing technique, try the following. Sit in a comfortable position, close your eyes and inhale slowly through your nose for five seconds. Inhale all the way to the pelvic floor, fill-ing your chest cavity with air. Hold for a brief, comfortable moment.

Exhale through your mouth for 10 seconds while consciously letting go of internal tension and relaxing your chest, shoulders and stomach as you breathe out fully and completely. Pause for a moment at the bottom of your breath. Inhale again, pause, exhale and pause in a cyclical, rhythmic pat-tern of breathing in and breathing out while letting your mind and thoughts be still. Repeat this process for two minutes, twice a day. For more calming benefits, gradually increase this exercise to twenty minutes twice a day. While it is not possible or necessary to fully expand the lungs with every breath, experiencing a complete breath can produce heightened awareness. To take a full breath, start by exhaling deeply, contracting the belly. Inhale slowly as you expand the abdomen, continuing through the expansion of the chest, raising the shoulders up toward your ears. Pause for a few comfort-able seconds, and then start exhaling in the reverse pattern, slowly. Release your shoulders, relax your chest and contract the belly. After pausing again for a few seconds, repeat the process. Observing your breathing patterns in your personal and professional life can be a vital component of good self-care. As part of the transformation of your life, you can observe your shallow breathing patterns and replace them with the full, rhythmic, healing breath that comes with focused concentra-tion and mindfulness. As Thich Nhat Hanh reminds us, “Smile, breathe and go slowly.”

breathe.

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How does love heal? Deepak Chopra says that, “love heals through the restoration of homeostasis. The most powerful thing for the restoration of the body’s balance is love. The limbic brain establishes limbic resonance with another and then homeostasis, which is healing, occurs.” Dr. Bernie Siegel, in Love Medicine and Miracles, talks about the effects of love on healing and health: “People in love have lower blood pressure and lower levels of lactic acid in their blood making them less tired. People in love have higher levels of endorphins associated with euphoria and an increased pain threshold. Their white blood cells respond better when faced with infection.” Practicing healthy self-care by turning that loving energy inward can be the most profound action you can ever take. Love has been described as motiveless tenderness of the heart, where you give love from the purity of your own heart without expecting anything in return. Dr. Dean Ornish, in his bestselling book, Love and Survival, de-scribes the increasing scientific evidence that love is among the most power-ful factors in health and illness: “Love is at the root of what makes us sick and what makes us well, what causes sadness and what brings happiness, what makes us suffer and what leads us to healing.” Love and compassion are kindred spirits. Compassion is prompted by sensing the pain of others. More vigorous than empathy, the feeling of com-passion commonly gives rise to an active desire to alleviate another’s suffer-ing. Self-compassion involves reflecting this same kindness inward. Compassionately observe yourself in a neutral and objective way as you offer a session. Remember to avoid taking your work personally. Not being able to completely relieve a client’s shoulder pain they’ve had for more than a year in one treatment doesn’t have anything to do with you. Practice self-compassion and be realistic about what you can and cannot achieve within the time span allowed. Be tender with yourself and release attachment to outcome.

12 When you take time to relate to your clients lovingly and compas-sionately as whole human beings in body and mind, you are valuing the many factors that affect a client’s physical, mental and emotional dis-comfort or well-being. Think about how you feel when you are in a loving frame of mind, not so much directed toward a spe-cific individual, but allowing that fountain of love to flow from your heart toward all beings. Imagine clients coming into your office and sensing the energy of this outpour-ing love. The session begins even before the first touch is offered, as the energy permeates the massage room. As part of the process of trans-forming yourself, you can practice releasing any barriers you may have erected that would stand between working with your client in a loving and compassionate way, while con-currently melting any barriers that may exist that cause you to feel less than loving and compassionate to-ward yourself.

love & compassion.

Ariana Vincent directs the Ariana Institute in Austin, Texas, which offers continuing professional development for mas-sage therapists. She is a nationally certified massage therapist and massage therapy instructor who has practiced mas-sage therapy and bodywork for 30 years. For more information, visit www.arianainstitute.com.