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!!!

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

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."