Well, I have been having a most interesting experience the last three weeks. My shoulders have been in quite a bit of pain. At first....I thought it was that one night I spent an hour reading in bed (yeah...a no-no for posture.) Next morning--wow was my left shoulder torqued! Things like that usually wear off over the day. Next morning--after a bad night's sleep--still problematic. Got some bodywork done...still hurting. Hmmm. What could this be?
It has slowly been dawning on me that this new discomfort might just be growing pains. WHAT? You say to yourself...doesn't that stop in early adulthood? Well--I thought so too. However, the fact is over our lifespan, our body changes in relation to the tasks we engage in. So, as I reflected on my past weeks, I realized I have been doing more bodywork sessions than when I first started (good news) but I didn't expect my musculature to be so effected. WRONG! It is! I have found my upper arm strength increasing, my hand grip strength is now crazy strong, and my shoulders are broadening (hence the pain).
My posture is changing too. I used to stand out of habit at times with my arms crossed. Can't do that anymore for longer than 5 minutes or my shoulders hurt. What is so interesting to me about this is about 5 months ago I began to pray that God would open me up to become a more loving, caring, non-judgmental presence to all those around me. (For those who have studied eastern modalities of bodywork/energy work, it is regarding the heart chakra). Well, it is happening. I just didn't think it all through to the logical embodied result. My posture is actually opening up to others. Wow. Be warned! Be careful what you pray for....God just might answer it! Be ready to embrace your growing pains!
Sunday, December 30, 2012
Friday, December 14, 2012
The Body, Advent, and Incarnation
Of course, I had to write another Advent reflection, because I came across something really cool in Agnes Sanford's* The Healing Light last week. She writes this (in 1947 no less!):
"Most people are ashamed today to offer themselves to God, both soul and body. They feel he has no use for their bodies, forgetting the infinite pains that He took to incarnate himself within the veil of flesh so that he might from that time forth enter into all of humanity. Many people of today are unwilling to recognize the operation of a spiritual power through the being (body) of man...." p.82
I don't think we have a full understanding of what it means for our whole person, BODY, soul, and spirit--to be filled with the power of God. I think if we did, it might literally blow our circuits--or at least our socks off! But in this short excerpt, Agnes is suggesting that indeed we can know what it is like to experience God's presence in our body--not just our mind and spirit. This whole experience of God is what the mystics talk about--experiencing God--not just knowing him with our mind/beliefs/creeds, but actually have God's Spirit so fill us, that it registers in our body. We FEEL his presence--and in fact, when God' power flows through us, it often results in healing--the body being restored to wholeness. This is part of the redemption of our body, brought about by the fact of Christ Jesus coming in the flesh--the Incarnation.
A Blessed Advent Indeed.
*For those of you who have never heard of Agnes, she was a fascinating woman who had the gift of healing. She was born in China, the daughter of missionary parents, who later in life came to the United States, and married an Anglican priest.
"Most people are ashamed today to offer themselves to God, both soul and body. They feel he has no use for their bodies, forgetting the infinite pains that He took to incarnate himself within the veil of flesh so that he might from that time forth enter into all of humanity. Many people of today are unwilling to recognize the operation of a spiritual power through the being (body) of man...." p.82
I don't think we have a full understanding of what it means for our whole person, BODY, soul, and spirit--to be filled with the power of God. I think if we did, it might literally blow our circuits--or at least our socks off! But in this short excerpt, Agnes is suggesting that indeed we can know what it is like to experience God's presence in our body--not just our mind and spirit. This whole experience of God is what the mystics talk about--experiencing God--not just knowing him with our mind/beliefs/creeds, but actually have God's Spirit so fill us, that it registers in our body. We FEEL his presence--and in fact, when God' power flows through us, it often results in healing--the body being restored to wholeness. This is part of the redemption of our body, brought about by the fact of Christ Jesus coming in the flesh--the Incarnation.
A Blessed Advent Indeed.
*For those of you who have never heard of Agnes, she was a fascinating woman who had the gift of healing. She was born in China, the daughter of missionary parents, who later in life came to the United States, and married an Anglican priest.
Saturday, November 17, 2012
The Spirit and the Feminine
Advent helps us focus on the Incarnation--"O Come, O Come, Emmanuel." Emmanuel--God with Us. But how God is present in our actual daily life is the place of the Spirit. As many of you know, I have been reflecting quite a bit on the role of the Holy Spirit this past year--given that the Spirit is what gives life to the body. No Spirit--dead body. Lots of Spirit--enlivened body--in fact in the Bible at times, things that are dead come back to life! Pretty simple. So, it is quite an understatement to say that my Pentecostal world was rocked when I came across this passage this summer when reading the Wisdom of Solomon, in which Wisdom (The Holy Spirit) is described in the most beautiful portrait I have ever read:
"For in wisdom there is a spirit intelligent and holy,
unique in its kind yet made up of many parts,
subtle, free moving, lucid, spotless, clear,
invulnerable, loving what is good,
eager, unhindered, beneficent, kindly toward men,
steadfast, unerring, untouched by care,
all-powerful, all-surveying, and permeating
all intelligent, pure and delicate spirits.
For wisdom moves more easily than motion itself,
she pervades and permeates all things because she is so pure.
Like a fine mist she rises from the power of God,
a pure effluence from the glory of the Almighty;
so nothing defiled can enter into her by stealth.
She is the brightness that streams from everlasting light,
the flawless mirror of the active power of God
and the image of his goodness.
She is but one, yet can do everything;
herself unchanging, she makes all things new;
age after age she enters into holy souls,
and makes them God's friends and prophets,
for nothing is acceptable to God
but the man who makes his home with wisdom.
She is more radiant than the sun,
and surpasses every constallation;
compared with the light of day, she is found to excell;
for day gives place to night, but against wisdom no evil can prevail.
She spans the world in power from end to end,
and orders all things benignly." Wisdom of Solomon 7:22-30.
Wow. Beautiful. Kind of makes you want to have the Spirit around--doesn't it? And to be honest, what also rocked my socks was the fact that this Spirit was referred to in feminine terms! That there is something feminine in God is something often given lip-service to...but I think we are missing something if it is only lip-service or a cognitive acknowledgement. There is something much more profound being expounded in this passage--that will personally be my focus of my own reflection and prayer during Advent. "Come, O Come Emmanuel....and O Come, Holy Spirit!" A Blessed Advent, Indeed!!!
"For in wisdom there is a spirit intelligent and holy,
unique in its kind yet made up of many parts,
subtle, free moving, lucid, spotless, clear,
invulnerable, loving what is good,
eager, unhindered, beneficent, kindly toward men,
steadfast, unerring, untouched by care,
all-powerful, all-surveying, and permeating
all intelligent, pure and delicate spirits.
For wisdom moves more easily than motion itself,
she pervades and permeates all things because she is so pure.
Like a fine mist she rises from the power of God,
a pure effluence from the glory of the Almighty;
so nothing defiled can enter into her by stealth.
She is the brightness that streams from everlasting light,
the flawless mirror of the active power of God
and the image of his goodness.
She is but one, yet can do everything;
herself unchanging, she makes all things new;
age after age she enters into holy souls,
and makes them God's friends and prophets,
for nothing is acceptable to God
but the man who makes his home with wisdom.
She is more radiant than the sun,
and surpasses every constallation;
compared with the light of day, she is found to excell;
for day gives place to night, but against wisdom no evil can prevail.
She spans the world in power from end to end,
and orders all things benignly." Wisdom of Solomon 7:22-30.
Wow. Beautiful. Kind of makes you want to have the Spirit around--doesn't it? And to be honest, what also rocked my socks was the fact that this Spirit was referred to in feminine terms! That there is something feminine in God is something often given lip-service to...but I think we are missing something if it is only lip-service or a cognitive acknowledgement. There is something much more profound being expounded in this passage--that will personally be my focus of my own reflection and prayer during Advent. "Come, O Come Emmanuel....and O Come, Holy Spirit!" A Blessed Advent, Indeed!!!
Thursday, November 8, 2012
Untouchable...
Have you ever felt "untouchable?" There is a HUGE difference
between not wanting to be touched (e.g., when you have a migraine
headache, have experienced trauma, or are angry at someone) versus feeling
no one wants to touch you. The latter emotional experience that some people
have of feeling “untouchable” is of particular interest to me—both as a
psychologist and now also as a massage therapist/bodyworker.
You may be familiar with the Indian social caste system,
which assigned the “lowest status” to that of the Dalits, also called the
“Untouchables.” The resource, Wikipedia, states the following about the
“Untouchables:”
“ [they have
been] historically associated with occupations regarded as ritually impure, such
as any involving leatherwork, butchering, or removal of rubbish, animal carcasses, and
waste. Dalits worked as manual labourers cleaning streets, latrines, and sewers.
Engaging in these activities was considered to be polluting to the individual,
and this pollution was considered contagious. As a result, Dalits werecommonly
segregated, and banned from full participation in Hindu social life. For example, they
could not enter a temple nor a school, and were required to stay outside the village.”
Powerful words….impure… polluting…considered contagious…
segregated… banned…outside the village…Hmmm. People can feel
psychologically like this. They may feel shame about their actual Self….feel impure, polluted, ...that there
is something wrong with them—something toxic about
themselves. And as a result, they may shy away from personal contact—actual
physical contact, and even social contact in general, for fear that they are in some way
“contagious” to others.
As you can imagine, bodywork by a gentle, sensitive
practitioner is a powerful intervention to “dilute” and reverse this sense of toxicity that
people may carry with them. In bodywork, you
have the opportunity to change someone’s thoughts (in this case particularly
negative ones) by working on their person. Touch the surface…you touch the
depths. And physiologically, one reason this occurs, is because the brain and the skin are part of the same sensory/perception system.
When someone who experiences themselves as "untouchable"
experiences loving, nurturing, caring touch--it has the potential to reverse the negative messages about the
self—and one can begin to experience themselves instead as Touchable, Lovable,
Pure, Clean, and Whole. Touch the surface...touch the depths.
Wednesday, October 10, 2012
Being a Bodyworker (Part 1)
What is it like to be a Bodyworker? To be honest, it is a lot like being a psychotherapist. I am amazed how much they parallel each other! But I will focus on bodywork in this post: the two words that come to my mind are sacred and sublime.
Sacred because the desire for healing and wholeness--whether it be body, soul, or spirit--is a sacred enterprise. Whenever people come to me (whether for therapeutic bodywork or counseling) there is a sense of being on sacred ground. One walks with reverence and respect for those who come, for they are willing to bring their vulnerability, hurt, injury and need to the presence of another.. Vulnerability in others has always drawn out my own desire to tend and care--to be present and utilize all the skills I possess to serve and help. So whether the injury or pain is from neglect, accident, trauma, illness, or even self-injury, being present to help in a broken place has always been my passion and calling.
In our culture, people are often embarrassed or ashamed of their bodies, or certain parts of their body. This is maximized by the media--to make people constantly dissatisfied with their own body...in order to sell various products. I like to be a part of righting this wrong. To me, being a bodyworker is a lot like being an artist--who paints or sculpts the human form in order to highlight its sacredness. Christianity teaches that we are created in the image of God. To me, this means that there is an intrinsic beauty that the body possesses--and as a massage therapist, I have the opportunity to bless and bring out the best of a person's being through my work with the body.
The word sublime comes to mind, because a healing space is not something you "drum up" or can in any way "make happen." Preparing a place for others to receive healing is a humbling experience. The most important part is as a practitioner, you must make room....which usually means being fully present but getting out of the way of what God wants to do! Your own Ego has to be checked at the door when you enter sacred space, for you are there to serve--not be served. Being a bodyworker is sublime because it is an honor to serve others in this way, and a privilege to be allowed to witness the healing that takes place.
Here is a friend's description of my work: Body & Being
Sacred because the desire for healing and wholeness--whether it be body, soul, or spirit--is a sacred enterprise. Whenever people come to me (whether for therapeutic bodywork or counseling) there is a sense of being on sacred ground. One walks with reverence and respect for those who come, for they are willing to bring their vulnerability, hurt, injury and need to the presence of another.. Vulnerability in others has always drawn out my own desire to tend and care--to be present and utilize all the skills I possess to serve and help. So whether the injury or pain is from neglect, accident, trauma, illness, or even self-injury, being present to help in a broken place has always been my passion and calling.
In our culture, people are often embarrassed or ashamed of their bodies, or certain parts of their body. This is maximized by the media--to make people constantly dissatisfied with their own body...in order to sell various products. I like to be a part of righting this wrong. To me, being a bodyworker is a lot like being an artist--who paints or sculpts the human form in order to highlight its sacredness. Christianity teaches that we are created in the image of God. To me, this means that there is an intrinsic beauty that the body possesses--and as a massage therapist, I have the opportunity to bless and bring out the best of a person's being through my work with the body.
The word sublime comes to mind, because a healing space is not something you "drum up" or can in any way "make happen." Preparing a place for others to receive healing is a humbling experience. The most important part is as a practitioner, you must make room....which usually means being fully present but getting out of the way of what God wants to do! Your own Ego has to be checked at the door when you enter sacred space, for you are there to serve--not be served. Being a bodyworker is sublime because it is an honor to serve others in this way, and a privilege to be allowed to witness the healing that takes place.
Here is a friend's description of my work: Body & Being
Saturday, October 6, 2012
How Does it Work???
Bodywork....how does it work? How does it cause or facilitate change? Truth is, a lot of it is Mystery--beyond our cognition--that is part of its gift. In the West, we practically worship our brains. Now don't get me wrong--I'm all for the brain. I would not have gone to school as much as I have if I didn't believe we can learn by use of our brain. But in our society (and even the Church at times...) we treat our minds as if it is the only portal to learning. WRONG!!!!
Deanne Juhan writes:
So what I experience shapes reality? Of course it does! This is known as subjective experience. The "hard" sciences have traditionally "poo-pooed" subjective experience--as being biased (read: flawed). But that does not discount it at all! One's experience, in fact--is the "meat and potatoes" of psychological work, spiritual growth and personal awareness. Hence the of quoted question of counselors, "How do you feel?"
Not only do we often limit our awareness and learning to only what our brains take in, it is more insidious than that. There is a tendency in human nature to only take in what already agrees with what we know or believe--and do discredit, discount, deny any input that does not already square with what I already 'know." In some way, it is so we can feel more secure or in control of our lives and "destiny." We are so stubborn sometimes!
What does this have to do with Bodywork? Oh boy---hang on!
Deane Juhan shares:
Bring on the growth! Bring on the Bodywork! :)
Deanne Juhan writes:
"When the conceptions of reality that we maintain do not square with the things we are experiencing insert.... thinking, feeling, sensing, etc] it is not because we are flawed or because our experiences are wrong, but because our conceptions cannot contain all the facts as we perceive them. And there is no constructive way out of this crisis but to enlarge our sense of reality to include our actual experiences." (from Job's Body: A Handbook for Bodywork).
So what I experience shapes reality? Of course it does! This is known as subjective experience. The "hard" sciences have traditionally "poo-pooed" subjective experience--as being biased (read: flawed). But that does not discount it at all! One's experience, in fact--is the "meat and potatoes" of psychological work, spiritual growth and personal awareness. Hence the of quoted question of counselors, "How do you feel?"
Not only do we often limit our awareness and learning to only what our brains take in, it is more insidious than that. There is a tendency in human nature to only take in what already agrees with what we know or believe--and do discredit, discount, deny any input that does not already square with what I already 'know." In some way, it is so we can feel more secure or in control of our lives and "destiny." We are so stubborn sometimes!
What does this have to do with Bodywork? Oh boy---hang on!
Deane Juhan shares:
"No matter how much I move myself around, my strongest tendency is to move in the same ways I have always moved, guided by the same deeply seated postural habits, sensory cues, and mental images of my body; but if I can succeed in surrendering to the movements that another person [bodyworker] imposes on my body, without my own system of cues and responses interfering, it is possible to treat my mind to a flood of sensations that are novel in important ways...this moment of surrender and new sensation can demonstrate to me that I am not permanently obliged to continue acting out a habitual compulsion. I can see that the habit is a habit...And if I can drop a compulsive behavior or attitude for a moment without causing a crisis, then perhaps I can dispense with it altogether." (Juhan, p. xxvi).So one powerful opportunity that bodywork affords is the opportunity to experience myself in ways that are different than my own self-generated limitations--and physical often translates into emotional and spiritual realms. Bodywork, like psychotherapy, offers the support and experience of an Other--that has the potential to expand my own being into more abundant life.
Bring on the growth! Bring on the Bodywork! :)
Saturday, September 8, 2012
The Body as Gift
One of the main goals of therapeutic bodywork is to facilitate the experience of "the body as gift." This is in contrast to our culture's view of "the body as object." An object (like a rock) does not have feelings. But Bodies have feelings. Bodies FEEL. We feel. If we don't feel, it may be that we are actually "cut off" from our body's ability to perceive and process. The body learns, the body remembers. As one of my friends is very fond of saying, "The body does not lie."
It is not healthy to view our Self as separate from our Body. This is the wonder of being human. We are embodied spiritual beings, which differentiates us from angels (spirits). In the movie, City of Angels (1998) there is an interesting conversation about how angels are puzzled and intrigued by the human experience of being embodied. Because we have bodies, we can feel what it is like to run a marathon, hug a friend, feel the sun on your face, let a snowflake melt on your tongue, taste strawberry pie, smell a rose, enjoy sexual intimacy. You have to have a body to experience these things.
So, therapeutic bodywork helps people experience their body as Gift, i.e., as Good. This translates into themselves being a gift, and good. This may be quite a revolution/revelation. Some people may have experienced terrible things in their body (trauma)--or have experienced nothing at all (neglect/deprivation). Both experiences tend to cause the body to be forgotten, or in some instances, even punished as if it had done something wrong.And then people begin to believe that they themselves are wrong/bad.
Sensitive and caring bodywork can facilitate a "coming home" to one's body--where we can truly embrace our body as our friend, our Home. The Christian faith is one of the few faith systems where the body is not left behind--but is itself restored and redeemed. Our body is the dwelling our own spirit....and of God's Spirit. When the Bible talks about our body being the temple of the Holy Spirit....this is what it means. God can and does LIVE IN US. That should blow our socks off! Our body, our Gift, our Home.
It is not healthy to view our Self as separate from our Body. This is the wonder of being human. We are embodied spiritual beings, which differentiates us from angels (spirits). In the movie, City of Angels (1998) there is an interesting conversation about how angels are puzzled and intrigued by the human experience of being embodied. Because we have bodies, we can feel what it is like to run a marathon, hug a friend, feel the sun on your face, let a snowflake melt on your tongue, taste strawberry pie, smell a rose, enjoy sexual intimacy. You have to have a body to experience these things.
So, therapeutic bodywork helps people experience their body as Gift, i.e., as Good. This translates into themselves being a gift, and good. This may be quite a revolution/revelation. Some people may have experienced terrible things in their body (trauma)--or have experienced nothing at all (neglect/deprivation). Both experiences tend to cause the body to be forgotten, or in some instances, even punished as if it had done something wrong.And then people begin to believe that they themselves are wrong/bad.
Sensitive and caring bodywork can facilitate a "coming home" to one's body--where we can truly embrace our body as our friend, our Home. The Christian faith is one of the few faith systems where the body is not left behind--but is itself restored and redeemed. Our body is the dwelling our own spirit....and of God's Spirit. When the Bible talks about our body being the temple of the Holy Spirit....this is what it means. God can and does LIVE IN US. That should blow our socks off! Our body, our Gift, our Home.
Tuesday, September 4, 2012
Friend's Blog :)
Hi All! Just got an invitation to a friend's Blog (Liuan)--Link is: http://bodyandbeing.wordpress.com/. Her blog is called Body and Being. Enjoy her work! She and I are asking and exploring some of the same questions and issues! Welcome Liuan to the world of blogging!
Monday, August 6, 2012
Body Language : Part 2
More about Body Language. Here is an incredible video to watch. What do you see in the body language of the musicians and the audience? This video comes to you via my very cool Niece--Hannah, who is also a cello player. Thanks, Hannah!
http://youtu.be/mSByjqMGtaU
http://youtu.be/mSByjqMGtaU
Sunday, August 5, 2012
Body Language
Oh boy. I could go several places with this one. (On a previous post I had fun looking at somatic idioms)...In this post I want to consider how we use language. Does it really matter? OH YES!!!! (I can hear my sister who has a PhD in linguistics practically standing up on her desk and shouting at the top of her lungs---"AMEN SISTER!!!!" (She has never really done that--but I bet she would on this one! :) Anyway, English is one of the few languages that does not assign gender to nouns. But this is not the case in other languages.
According to researcher Lera Boroditsky, grammatical genders can shape how people think (a hypothesis called "linguistic relativity"). For example, when speakers of German and Spanish were asked to describe everyday objects in English, she found that they were more likely to use attributes conventionally associated with the genders of the objects in their native languages. German-speakers more often described "bridge" (in German, Brücke, a feminine noun) with words like 'beautiful', 'elegant', 'fragile', 'peaceful', 'pretty', and 'slender', whereas Spanish-speakers more often described "bridge" (in Spanish, puente (masculine noun) with terms like 'big', 'dangerous', 'long', 'strong', 'sturdy', and 'towering'. Art is impacted by linguistic relativity as well. In Boroditsy's research, in 85% of all cases, the grammatical gender of the concept in the artist's language impacts its portrayal. Therefore, in German art, "death" ( Tod (masculine) is generally portrayed as male, but in Russian, "death" (Смерть (feminine) is generally portrayed as a female.(see the link: (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grammatical_gender) for MUCH more detail :)
So, of course, my burning question is...how does our use of language impact our concepts of ourselves, and our concept of God? Most depictions of God in the Western World are male. God the Father, Jesus the Son, and the Holy Spirit (usually considered male in our minds, an "it" at worst). So, as I made a comment before (See Body Theology), the the Hebrew language (in which the OT of the Bible was written), the word for "spirit/Spirit" is "ruach"(feminine). In the Greek (in which the NT of the Bible was written) the word for "spirit/Spirit" is "pneuma"(neuter). Hmmm. Worth noting?
When people say, it's not a big deal, all you have to do is imagine that if the members of the Trinity were all 'female' and we used "She" instead of "He" it would make a HUGE impact on how we would all experience God. For example, if this was the case, how would MEN view themselves? They would experience what women have for centuries--what it is like to not have any "representation"...or a concrete example of what it means to be made in the image of God. Let me tell you...that effects your self-concept and sense of having value as a woman. God help us.
According to researcher Lera Boroditsky, grammatical genders can shape how people think (a hypothesis called "linguistic relativity"). For example, when speakers of German and Spanish were asked to describe everyday objects in English, she found that they were more likely to use attributes conventionally associated with the genders of the objects in their native languages. German-speakers more often described "bridge" (in German, Brücke, a feminine noun) with words like 'beautiful', 'elegant', 'fragile', 'peaceful', 'pretty', and 'slender', whereas Spanish-speakers more often described "bridge" (in Spanish, puente (masculine noun) with terms like 'big', 'dangerous', 'long', 'strong', 'sturdy', and 'towering'. Art is impacted by linguistic relativity as well. In Boroditsy's research, in 85% of all cases, the grammatical gender of the concept in the artist's language impacts its portrayal. Therefore, in German art, "death" ( Tod (masculine) is generally portrayed as male, but in Russian, "death" (Смерть (feminine) is generally portrayed as a female.(see the link: (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grammatical_gender) for MUCH more detail :)
So, of course, my burning question is...how does our use of language impact our concepts of ourselves, and our concept of God? Most depictions of God in the Western World are male. God the Father, Jesus the Son, and the Holy Spirit (usually considered male in our minds, an "it" at worst). So, as I made a comment before (See Body Theology), the the Hebrew language (in which the OT of the Bible was written), the word for "spirit/Spirit" is "ruach"(feminine). In the Greek (in which the NT of the Bible was written) the word for "spirit/Spirit" is "pneuma"(neuter). Hmmm. Worth noting?
When people say, it's not a big deal, all you have to do is imagine that if the members of the Trinity were all 'female' and we used "She" instead of "He" it would make a HUGE impact on how we would all experience God. For example, if this was the case, how would MEN view themselves? They would experience what women have for centuries--what it is like to not have any "representation"...or a concrete example of what it means to be made in the image of God. Let me tell you...that effects your self-concept and sense of having value as a woman. God help us.
Monday, July 30, 2012
Vicarious Olympian....
Ok.....How many of you have been watching the Olympics? I was able to watch the opening ceremony (loved the Queen gig--the Brits have such a sense of humor) but have not been able to get NBC reception since. Oh well. When I was a child, I remember watching the different events. My two favorites have always been Gymnastics and Figure Skating (one for the winter and one for the summer games.) I particularly remember watching figure skating--and immediately putting on my skates
and heading to the frozen pond down the hill...somehow thinking that by
watching I could certainly do what I had seen. (This is no doubt related to being a visual learner!) Monkey see--monkey do! :) But could there be more to it? Well...a few days ago, I came across a possible answer a' la bodywork:
In Job's Body: A Handbook for Bodywork (1987) by Deane Juhan, we read:
Observing highly trained athletes allows us all to develop a rich vicarious sense of effort, giving us a chance to experience in some measure muscular feats of which we would otherwise be ignorant. Fans intent on an event usually squirm visibly along with the action. Electromyographic studies confirm that very often this squirming consists of subdued imitations of the motions of the athletes--the bobbing of the boxer's fists, the lunge out of the starting blocks, the recoil from a hard tackle, and the like. The fans are watching with their bodies as much as with their eyes; they are participating, not just watching. This kind of vicarious muscular experience gives us concrete examples of strength and skill beyond our own, and greatly enhances our notions of human capabilities...." p. 254-255.
So by watching, we become actual participants--especially in skills we may only dream about having. Maybe the next question is...what is your favorite event...and what might that say about your developing person? Whatever it is...Enjoy the Olympic Experience!!!
In Job's Body: A Handbook for Bodywork (1987) by Deane Juhan, we read:
Observing highly trained athletes allows us all to develop a rich vicarious sense of effort, giving us a chance to experience in some measure muscular feats of which we would otherwise be ignorant. Fans intent on an event usually squirm visibly along with the action. Electromyographic studies confirm that very often this squirming consists of subdued imitations of the motions of the athletes--the bobbing of the boxer's fists, the lunge out of the starting blocks, the recoil from a hard tackle, and the like. The fans are watching with their bodies as much as with their eyes; they are participating, not just watching. This kind of vicarious muscular experience gives us concrete examples of strength and skill beyond our own, and greatly enhances our notions of human capabilities...." p. 254-255.
So by watching, we become actual participants--especially in skills we may only dream about having. Maybe the next question is...what is your favorite event...and what might that say about your developing person? Whatever it is...Enjoy the Olympic Experience!!!
Thursday, July 26, 2012
Patron Saint of Massage Therapists....
So...who is the patron saint of massage therapists? What little research I have done suggests "James the Just" who was martyred by stoning. That is hopeful for us massage therapists, don't you think? No really, in my humble opinion, Mary Magdalene is a much more appropriate choice--for a number of reasons:
1. She anointed the feet of Jesus with oil. That in itself should be enough. :)
2. Her actions were judged and misunderstood by those around her.
Many people just don't get massage therapists--they think they are a little "out there" and their actions are suspect...what is she REALLY doing? Just like the Magdalene. People saw what she was doing and said, "Wow--that's really inappropriate. If Jesus really knew who she was, he wouldn't let her touch him!" Because our society is physically and chronically disconnected from their own bodies and sexualize much of their somatic experience, people project and misinterpret the actions of others. People are unable to understand that massage therapists are able to communicate nurture, care and love through their work that is not sexual.
3. Jesus understood her heart and commended her for all time.
Jesus understood Mary's desire to show her love for him the best way she knew how--honoring his body and person in a very concrete expression. Jesus told those around him to "Leave her alone! She has done a beautiful thing for me!" Jesus got it. He then said, "Everywhere my story is told, hers will be too to honor her." Put that in your vita.
4. And finally, 85% of massage therapists are women.
I cast my vote for Mary the Magdalene.
P.S. My favorite painting of the above is here: http://www.wayneforte.com/Images/Pages/Biblical_Themes.html#252
1. She anointed the feet of Jesus with oil. That in itself should be enough. :)
2. Her actions were judged and misunderstood by those around her.
Many people just don't get massage therapists--they think they are a little "out there" and their actions are suspect...what is she REALLY doing? Just like the Magdalene. People saw what she was doing and said, "Wow--that's really inappropriate. If Jesus really knew who she was, he wouldn't let her touch him!" Because our society is physically and chronically disconnected from their own bodies and sexualize much of their somatic experience, people project and misinterpret the actions of others. People are unable to understand that massage therapists are able to communicate nurture, care and love through their work that is not sexual.
3. Jesus understood her heart and commended her for all time.
Jesus understood Mary's desire to show her love for him the best way she knew how--honoring his body and person in a very concrete expression. Jesus told those around him to "Leave her alone! She has done a beautiful thing for me!" Jesus got it. He then said, "Everywhere my story is told, hers will be too to honor her." Put that in your vita.
4. And finally, 85% of massage therapists are women.
I cast my vote for Mary the Magdalene.
P.S. My favorite painting of the above is here: http://www.wayneforte.com/Images/Pages/Biblical_Themes.html#252
Saturday, July 7, 2012
Why the Incarnation?
There are of course many important reasons that Christ came in the flesh, theologically known as The Incarnation. But from a bodywork perspective, the Incarnation holds unique importance. It is a common maxim in bodywork that "People hold their issues in their tissues." What this means in its basic sense is that we are not just creatures of our minds, but are truly embodied. Most people identify with the fact that they hold "stress" in various places in their bodies. But the fact is, we hold all of our emotions in our bodies. Sometimes we may hold anxiety in our gut, anger in our throat,grief in our heart, or confusion in our heads. The list could go on. But one of the aims of bodywork is to help people release the issues in their tissues--to release the emotions and pain that have been stored there and have been preventing them from living an abundant life.
By coming in the flesh, the Incarnation, Christ Jesus redeemed our bodies. He desires to free us from the brokenness in our bodies...and is why in the great Eucharistic Prayer, He says, "This is my Body, Broken for You."
By coming in the flesh, the Incarnation, Christ Jesus redeemed our bodies. He desires to free us from the brokenness in our bodies...and is why in the great Eucharistic Prayer, He says, "This is my Body, Broken for You."
Monday, June 4, 2012
Somatic Idioms
It has become a recent habit of mine to notice the number of somatic idioms in our everyday language (I give a nod to my sister who has her PhD in Linguistics!) A somatic idiom is a verbal phrase used to describe an emotional experience that makes reference to a bodily sensation. For example, when we tell a friend that "I have butterflies in my stomach" we are using a somatic idiom to describe anxiety. The existence of somatic idioms are linguistic acknowledgement that our emotions are not simply cognitions, but that emotions are visceral experiences! For another example, have you ever heard someone say, "That person rubs me the wrong way!" Now, most likely, the two people have not had any actual physical contact involving massage--but in fact, there is something being said about the quality of the interaction--it causes a level of emotional or energetic discomfort akin to being physically "rubbed the wrong way."
For a long time, emotions in psychology have been often processed and treated as if they are only cognitions--we just have to change our minds/thoughts about something. However, our language betrays us! Our bodies register and hold our emotions as much (if not more than) our words! If this is so, then there needs to be a somatic component to psychological growth and healing. Hence, why I have entered into the bodywork field.
Some other somatic idioms:
"My heart is just broken over this situation."
"My stomach is doing flip-flops."
"My blood is about to boil!"
"You are such a hot-head!"
"I just have a gut feeling about this...."
"He's got cold feet about changing jobs."
"I can't stomach that!"
"I can feel it in my bones!".....etc.....
For a long time, emotions in psychology have been often processed and treated as if they are only cognitions--we just have to change our minds/thoughts about something. However, our language betrays us! Our bodies register and hold our emotions as much (if not more than) our words! If this is so, then there needs to be a somatic component to psychological growth and healing. Hence, why I have entered into the bodywork field.
Some other somatic idioms:
"My heart is just broken over this situation."
"My stomach is doing flip-flops."
"My blood is about to boil!"
"You are such a hot-head!"
"I just have a gut feeling about this...."
"He's got cold feet about changing jobs."
"I can't stomach that!"
"I can feel it in my bones!".....etc.....
Thursday, May 17, 2012
Self Care 101
You may ask yourself, what does a cat have to do with bodywork? A lot actually. Sasha, my cat, is my self-care icon. From the fact that she sleeps more than 14 hours a day (rough life!) and stretches EVERY TIME she moves from a prone position, she has the self-care thing down pretty good. She faithfully takes a bath every day, eats her kitty crunchies, and does not overdo it on sweets (yeah, I could learn a lot from her). She drinks only water (no wonder her skin is so young looking under all that fur!). Anyway--Sasha reminds me daily to take life at an appropriate pace. She is also very affectionate, at 4:30am visiting hour--which is not so fun. Her only flaw given that I am a non-morning person. Anyway, as a counselor, I am convinced that self-care is a priority--and as a bodyworker--I am doubly convinced. If I take care of myself well--I am able to be fully present for my clients. And that is my reasonable act of service. Thank you Sasha! See the video below to see Simon's Cat, a "cousin" of Sasha.....
Monday, April 9, 2012
What I'm learning now...
Hi All! I thought you might enjoy seeing a sample of what we are learning now--its my final techniques class with Randy Cummins. It is called "Eastern Modalities" and we are learning a form of bodywork called "Shiatsu." Very cool. Very chill. Very awesome :) Take a peek at:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ctu8dU2BfZw
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ctu8dU2BfZw
Saturday, March 31, 2012
Styles of Healing?
It was early in my MT training program that I took a brief test to see what my learning style was (one would hope it would be auditory since I am a therapist and listen to people for large blocks of time...). But ALAS!!! Was not the case. My primary modality for learning and processing information is Visual, then Kinesthetic, then Auditory. Oh boy. That explains a few things.....Like why grad school, which is mostly lecture, was such a challenge--why I dislike listening to teaching CDs/podcasts, and why I will find myself reading books anytime I sit down for more than 15minutes at a time--among other things.
But the thought that caught my attention this morning (and was related to a conversation I had with a classmate last night--thanks Veronica!) was regarding how personal healing/growth might occur within the various modalities--how a person might be open to receive healing and be a channel of healing for others given their own preferred modality. It would be my guess that we can give and receive through each of the modalities--but we may have a "preferred modality."
For example: perhaps an individual who is more auditory, would find healing occurring as they listen to teachings, repeat prayers, or speak out loud positive affirmations. Likewise, others might receive healing from them when these individuals speak/are heard or focus their intention in a phrase in their mind. Maybe people who process kinestheticly may find their actions to be prayer--finding that their "doing for others" is a channel of healing. Similarly, if my own preferred method of processing is primarily visual....then most likely I would most easily receive healing, and be a channel of healing to others through......Visualization!!! (some may prefer the term imagination).
For some reason, up until now, I have experienced a general fear of visualization--especially in the area of faith (which is also where my understanding of healing comes from). This would be rather ironic, and put great constraints on me given that visualizing is my natural way of processing the world. So. Where does this leave me and bodywork? Not quite sure, except that I have some exploring to do. :)
But the thought that caught my attention this morning (and was related to a conversation I had with a classmate last night--thanks Veronica!) was regarding how personal healing/growth might occur within the various modalities--how a person might be open to receive healing and be a channel of healing for others given their own preferred modality. It would be my guess that we can give and receive through each of the modalities--but we may have a "preferred modality."
For example: perhaps an individual who is more auditory, would find healing occurring as they listen to teachings, repeat prayers, or speak out loud positive affirmations. Likewise, others might receive healing from them when these individuals speak/are heard or focus their intention in a phrase in their mind. Maybe people who process kinestheticly may find their actions to be prayer--finding that their "doing for others" is a channel of healing. Similarly, if my own preferred method of processing is primarily visual....then most likely I would most easily receive healing, and be a channel of healing to others through......Visualization!!! (some may prefer the term imagination).
For some reason, up until now, I have experienced a general fear of visualization--especially in the area of faith (which is also where my understanding of healing comes from). This would be rather ironic, and put great constraints on me given that visualizing is my natural way of processing the world. So. Where does this leave me and bodywork? Not quite sure, except that I have some exploring to do. :)
Saturday, March 3, 2012
"With my body, I thee worship..." Part I
"With my body I thee worship..." These words used to be included in marriage vows--what a groom would promise to his bride.* What powerful words. I remember being perplexed by this phrase as a child, because I was taught that you were never to worship ANYTHING but God. But my little brain reasoned, if the Church had sanctioned these words (and the Church was all about worshiping God), the words must have meant something different that what I thought they meant. But I had no clue as to what that was.
Well, the last several years I have done some research, conversed with friends, experienced massage/bodywork, etc. and have come to think that in the above context, "worship" actually means "to serve/honor." Wow. What would that mean? What does it mean to serve and honor the body of another?
I think it means to honor the sacredness of each body....instead of the body being an object to be used. How are bodies viewed in our culture? As an object. Bodies are the objects (vs. subject) of other forces...objects of lust, retail sales, marketing campaigns, surgeon's scalpels, punishing regimens. The body is viewed as not being sacred in its own right--but that it needs to be enhanced, changed, punished, used for someone else's gratification.
But now, the words of Christ "This is my body, given for you / broken for you..." in the institution of the Eucharist/Communion become so powerful. Instead of him demanding the body of another--He gives his own body sacrificially for the wholeness and healing of the other.
As a massage therapist/bodyworker, I have the opportunity to honor and serve the body of the person with whom I work, with my own hands, with my own body--with my own person. Touch has the ability to be the somatic expression of serving another with my own body--not to have my needs met but to bless and honor them. I am grateful to have this new means to honor and serve others. To echo the words of Christ, I pray, "This is my body, given for you...."
*(I wonder if the words said by the bride to her groom "I will honor, cherish and obey" were removed at the same time?)
Well, the last several years I have done some research, conversed with friends, experienced massage/bodywork, etc. and have come to think that in the above context, "worship" actually means "to serve/honor." Wow. What would that mean? What does it mean to serve and honor the body of another?
I think it means to honor the sacredness of each body....instead of the body being an object to be used. How are bodies viewed in our culture? As an object. Bodies are the objects (vs. subject) of other forces...objects of lust, retail sales, marketing campaigns, surgeon's scalpels, punishing regimens. The body is viewed as not being sacred in its own right--but that it needs to be enhanced, changed, punished, used for someone else's gratification.
But now, the words of Christ "This is my body, given for you / broken for you..." in the institution of the Eucharist/Communion become so powerful. Instead of him demanding the body of another--He gives his own body sacrificially for the wholeness and healing of the other.
As a massage therapist/bodyworker, I have the opportunity to honor and serve the body of the person with whom I work, with my own hands, with my own body--with my own person. Touch has the ability to be the somatic expression of serving another with my own body--not to have my needs met but to bless and honor them. I am grateful to have this new means to honor and serve others. To echo the words of Christ, I pray, "This is my body, given for you...."
*(I wonder if the words said by the bride to her groom "I will honor, cherish and obey" were removed at the same time?)
Thursday, February 23, 2012
Keep in Touch Part 2
Do you know that a massage therapist does not know what their own touch fully feels like? Isn't that interesting? I believe this is because part of the experience of touch is the psychological/relational aspect, i.e. letting someone else's energy or presence into your own. It is difficult for us to experience ourselves the same way that other people do. Similarly, being "touched" by something (be it a story, poem, musical selection, photo, etc....) means it infiltrates our psychological space--it impacts us or shifts us in a noticable way. We can be "touched" in many ways.
But what happens when a person has experienced neglect in touch? Ah...how did you just read that sentence? Did you read "touch" in the sense of physical touch? Or emotional, or spiritual, or .....fill in the blank. What I am getting at is are we aware of any areas in which we have not been touched or moved lately? All areas of our lives should be able to be touched...unless they are dead, dormant or defended. This does not mean we let anyone or anything in without permission--boundaries are a good thing. But anything that is "untouchable" is worth noting in our own lives.
So...keep in touch with yourself. Keep your own pulse across your physical, emotional, and spiritual dimensions. Also--keep in touch with others, and allow them to touch these areas of your life--and touch theirs! Reach out and touch someone!
But what happens when a person has experienced neglect in touch? Ah...how did you just read that sentence? Did you read "touch" in the sense of physical touch? Or emotional, or spiritual, or .....fill in the blank. What I am getting at is are we aware of any areas in which we have not been touched or moved lately? All areas of our lives should be able to be touched...unless they are dead, dormant or defended. This does not mean we let anyone or anything in without permission--boundaries are a good thing. But anything that is "untouchable" is worth noting in our own lives.
So...keep in touch with yourself. Keep your own pulse across your physical, emotional, and spiritual dimensions. Also--keep in touch with others, and allow them to touch these areas of your life--and touch theirs! Reach out and touch someone!
Thursday, February 16, 2012
"Keep in Touch" Part 1
I may be showing my age here...but when I was a child, there was a telephone company that had a jingle on their TV advertisement that went "Reach out, Reach out and touch someone!" Basically it was encouraging people to call one another and "keep in touch." What an interesting phrase "keep in touch."
It is common practice in LMT school to work on your classmates and be worked on. What has been fascinating to me is that EVERYONE's touch is different. Two people do not give the same massage--even if they were taught by the same teacher, use the same strokes and work in the same order. Everyone's touch is different. What makes this so? I think part of the reason it feels so different is related to energy--emotional presence. If you work on your own muscles--you are both the giver and reciever--there is no engagement with another's energy or emotional presence. Our body registers the difference. When another person works on you--their person/presence--their "touch" impacts you. I am becoming fully convinced when you touch a body you touch a soul/spirit. Humans are not disembodied spirits floating around. Our spirit infuses our whole person--so that when you "reach out and touch someone" you are not just touching their body--but you are touching their essence.
It is common practice in LMT school to work on your classmates and be worked on. What has been fascinating to me is that EVERYONE's touch is different. Two people do not give the same massage--even if they were taught by the same teacher, use the same strokes and work in the same order. Everyone's touch is different. What makes this so? I think part of the reason it feels so different is related to energy--emotional presence. If you work on your own muscles--you are both the giver and reciever--there is no engagement with another's energy or emotional presence. Our body registers the difference. When another person works on you--their person/presence--their "touch" impacts you. I am becoming fully convinced when you touch a body you touch a soul/spirit. Humans are not disembodied spirits floating around. Our spirit infuses our whole person--so that when you "reach out and touch someone" you are not just touching their body--but you are touching their essence.
Tuesday, February 7, 2012
Body Theology
What does it mean for women to be "made in the image of God"? This question was first raised in my mind about 2 years ago when the pastor of my church did a sermon series on "The Theology of the Body" gleaned from Pope John Paul IIs works by the same name. I don't agree with all the points made (I rarely do any more--grad school ruined me from ever agreeing with anything in toto) but it got the wheels in my brain turning. (Always a dangerous thing). Do our bodies actually reflect Truth...and if they do...what Truth do women's bodies tell?
It boils down to this...The Bible clearly teaches that man and woman were both created in the image of God (Genesis 1:27). Having grown up in Evangelical Christian circles--I have heard quite a bit about God--God the Father, and God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit. By default--not on purpose, these teachings have been primarily about God as masculine given the pronouns we use (Father, Son....Spirit...not sure what category to place that one.) How do we know pronouns make a difference? Just start calling God "Mother" and see what happens in an evangelical group! :) I don't have a problem with understanding the "masculine" aspects of God....except that it doesn't help me understand myself and how I as a woman am also created in the image of God. What does THAT mean?
It was about 2 months ago that I was thinking about the above, and I realized that the "fruits of the Spirit" (i.e. the results of being transformed by the presence of God working within a person) mentioned in Galations 5:22-23 are primarily feminine characteristics: "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control." WHAT? How come I never heard a sermon on THAT? And speaking of the Spirit of God....isn't the Spirit also refered to as the Helper, Comforter, Advocate....need I go on? Where do children go to for comfort, help and advocacy when they are young...their MOTHER! Hmmmmmm. To be continued......
It boils down to this...The Bible clearly teaches that man and woman were both created in the image of God (Genesis 1:27). Having grown up in Evangelical Christian circles--I have heard quite a bit about God--God the Father, and God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit. By default--not on purpose, these teachings have been primarily about God as masculine given the pronouns we use (Father, Son....Spirit...not sure what category to place that one.) How do we know pronouns make a difference? Just start calling God "Mother" and see what happens in an evangelical group! :) I don't have a problem with understanding the "masculine" aspects of God....except that it doesn't help me understand myself and how I as a woman am also created in the image of God. What does THAT mean?
It was about 2 months ago that I was thinking about the above, and I realized that the "fruits of the Spirit" (i.e. the results of being transformed by the presence of God working within a person) mentioned in Galations 5:22-23 are primarily feminine characteristics: "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control." WHAT? How come I never heard a sermon on THAT? And speaking of the Spirit of God....isn't the Spirit also refered to as the Helper, Comforter, Advocate....need I go on? Where do children go to for comfort, help and advocacy when they are young...their MOTHER! Hmmmmmm. To be continued......
Saturday, February 4, 2012
What's Your Energy?
Dear friends--so looking forward to the opportunity to connect you with each other and have everyone contribute to an on going discussion about how all these parts of ourselves interact. For those of you who are suprised by my blogging--I must admit I am just as surprised. It appears something inside of me has reached critical mass--I know enough about the three disciplines to BEGIN talking about it and trying to understand more. Please join me in this adventure....I welcome your thoughts, comments and insights!
Interesting topic of conversation in class last evening (thank you Eric!) regarding the impact we have on people. This impact is termed differently in various disciplines. In bodywork, this impact is often refered to as "presence," "energy" or "touch." It got me thinking abou the impact I have on others in various contexts: when praying for others--they often experience a sense of peace/or calm; when doing psychotherapy--people feel safe and open up quickly to me; when doing massage work in clinic--more than half fall asleep. Glad they don't fall asleep when I am doing therapy or praying.. :) Hmmmm. So....what is your energy?
Interesting topic of conversation in class last evening (thank you Eric!) regarding the impact we have on people. This impact is termed differently in various disciplines. In bodywork, this impact is often refered to as "presence," "energy" or "touch." It got me thinking abou the impact I have on others in various contexts: when praying for others--they often experience a sense of peace/or calm; when doing psychotherapy--people feel safe and open up quickly to me; when doing massage work in clinic--more than half fall asleep. Glad they don't fall asleep when I am doing therapy or praying.. :) Hmmmm. So....what is your energy?
Thursday, February 2, 2012
Half-Way Done!
Well--not really half-way done. How do I know? I am however, half-way done with my LMT training program at the New School of Massage, Bodywork & Healing, in downtown Chicago. It has been mentally challenging--but also incredibly stimulating to my thoughts about integration of theology, psychology and somatic awareness. I am starting this blog as a way to begin recording my musings as I begin to work with people in the Bodywork field--and how I change as a result. So far in clinic--people are either relaxed after I have worked on them--or unabashedly fall asleep--with snoring included. Let me tell you--I count a good snorer as a very high compliment in bodywork--not so much in psychotherapy! Ha! What a great journey this is!
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