Lessons I Learned Being a Massage Therapist

Performing massage therapy has been a rewarding experience. Not only do I get to apply my skills to better my client's bodies, but the principles translate into my everyday life. From trusting gut feelings to embracing the power of vulnerability - here are a few lessons I learned by being a massage therapist.

Intuition

I had a profound experience during the last day in my advanced techniques class. After months of learning anatomy, physiology and kinesiology and how to apply it to the many modalities of therapeutic massage, my peers and I were about to begin our final exercise.

Perform a 60-minute freestyle massage blindfolded. No intake other than boundaries and pressure check-ins.Only able to look when draping.

I was terrified. Having an analytical mind, I was used to having a conversation about symptoms, treatment goals and expectations. I would visually map out the body before my hands even touched my classmate. Looking for asymmetry, the angles and degrees of a person’s range of motion and how their body would lay static in prone or supine positions. Now, I was to trust only what I feel with no other information… Eek!

After a couple of breaths and some grounding compressions I undraped my partners back, applied some cream and after a few Swedish strokes – got to work. About 5 minutes in, my gut began to speak to me.

Knead here. Linger there. Change sides.

I let go of problem solving and listened. It felt right – not only through my hands, but in my own body. I was following my intuition. I would feel compelled to try new things and move in new ways. The absence of information given, and working in darkness, allowed me to tap into a different part of my consciousness. I trusted the feedback. Translating it naturally through my hands with ease. My mind was quiet, and I was acting on feeling alone.

When the massage was finished. I asked my partner how it went. In her words I, “hit all the right spots.” She was also deeply relaxed and felt as though she had slipped into a trance. Something she desperately needed from a stressful day prior.

Now whenever I get a feeling from within, one that simply comes out of the blue - I acknowledge it. Sometimes it feels like a gentle pull. Other times it’s a vigorous push. Almost always it’s a gut feeling telling me, “This is important. You don’t know why yet – but listen up and act accordingly.”

You’ll be surprised how many serendipitous experiences happen when you do.

Going with the Flow

Something magical happens when I perform massage. I go into a state of flow where time ceases to exist. I become grounded and connected to my work. Ease washes over me, and any resistance I was holding in my body softens. I’m relaxed, intentional and in complete trust with myself and my approach.

It’s a truly wonderful feeling.

And if I’m to be honest, one that’s hard to replicate outside of the studio.

A little bit about myself – I’m a planner. A bit of a perfectionist. And one hell of an overthinker. I want to know everything! All the when’s, where’s, why’s and how’s. I want to use all that information to map out a route from point A to point Z in the most efficient way possible. I still struggle with this dynamic to this day. (Albeit – I’m able to become aware and use tools to overcome this madness) I am SO not that person when I’m massaging. Maybe when I was a student, but now I just go with the flow. And it works.

In everyday life I try to do the same.

And I found 3 steps to prime myself for that state of being.

1. Self-check-in: Each morning, I start with a body and mind scan. I ask myself, “What is my emotional, mental and physical state?” This allows me to adjust my expectations of what I’m capable of accomplishing for the day and minimize resistance. That way I can do my best, whatever my best is for the time being. I also continue periodic check-ins with myself as time goes on. In case I have to readjust.

2. Fuel: I have a ritual of making an espresso cappuccino and eating a big breakfast before I begin anything that will take energy. Otherwise, I’m tired and hangry. Plain and simple – do whatever you need to give yourself the energy to start and conquer the day.

3. Trust in the universe: I find myself often saying the phrase, “Must be a something better out there waiting to find me.” Usually when things aren’t going the way I want. Maybe I didn’t get the job offer – or the meal I was looking forward to has been 86ed. It’s my way of consciously letting go and making room for something new to receive.

By practicing these “primers”, I find myself more capable of entering that flow state. I tend to get more done with less effort and appreciate the process and side quests along the way. Detours become adventures and time slips away.

Vulnerability

One of the hardest lessons I learned was the power of being vulnerable. I was so fearful of showing my insecurities that it stopped me from living authentically. I’m going to be vulnerable right now with another story…

My biggest fear when entering my massage training was exposing my body for others to see and touch. When I was younger, I was very overweight. At my worst – about 200lbs. And being small framed at 5’9” – it showed. I held this weight until my mid 20’s when I was no longer taking a certain medication and shed down to 135lbs. Fast. Like, really fast. Within 3 months my waist had dropped from size 40” to 29”. And with that came a new issue. I had (and still have) stretch marks and loose skin. My body image was at an all-time low and I was about to enter a field in which the training required you to lie on a massage table either naked – or close to it and receive bodywork as practice for your partner before switching off. I was mortified by the thought.

I KNEW this was a part of the program.

And I KNEW I had to overcome this fear.

I mustered all the courage within me and volunteered to be the first student to be demonstrated on by our instructor. I awkwardly shimmied on to the table, and half-jokingly told the entire class, “Excuse my skin as it slides off my body…” No one laughed – so I apologized saying that it was difficult to have so many eyes on me. That I was “a little ashamed” of the way I look sans clothing. I was reassured that my body was in no way repulsive and commended for my bravery.

You know what? About half the class had insecurities about their own body in one form or another. I wasn’t alone. I was the vessel for a conversation to be had. And thanked for opening the discussion.

Being vulnerable is a healing act. It allows us to be authentically ourselves with others. Some who may share similar experiences. By sharing, we overcome insecurities and grow as a result. Not only is it brave – but it inspires others to open up themselves. Vulnerability is one of the greatest ways to form deep and honest connections.

Massage therapy is a rewarding career that I continue to learn and grow from. Each session reminds me of these powerful lessons that shaped me into the person I am today. Not only do these lessons translate into my everyday life – but I use them as tools in my coaching sessions as well.

Use your intuition.

Allow yourself to be vulnerable.

And go with the flow.