Energy Awareness
Aura. Vibes. Energy Work. We've heard about it but we're not all
conscious of it. Even if a massage is great massage in the physical
sense, it must also have the right "vibe" for it to feel good to the
Receiver.
The Energetic Body
Most massage therapists are empathic, at least to some degree.
To be "empathic" is to have the
ability to "feel into" the energy field of another person and
experience the physical feelings and emotions of the person they are
feeling into.
For example, let's say I’m working
with someone who has chronic pain in the left knee. Without that person
telling me, I will start to feel a pain in my left knee… which
is not a part of my body that I ever have trouble with. Nine out of ten
times I will ask about the knee (or the body part in question) and the
client will confirm trouble with the knee.
Everyone is empathic (though many are not
conscious of the information they receive) and every massage
incorporates energy work even if it is not intended.
OK… I'm not really a Jedi Warrior and I hope George Lucas
doesn’t get ticked off with this trademark infringement, but a
lot of what is discussed in the Star Wars movies is significant to the
art of massage.
1. "Use The Force"
In my world of massage, qi (pronounced "chi") is what I would call "The
Force". Qi, or life force, is neutral. I visualize it like electricity.
We can use techniques like tai chi or chi gong to build the qi in our
bodies. Then we can direct the qi as we please, using our mind. I use
qi during a massage to go deeper into my client. I don’t
physically massage more deeply into the client when requested I go
deeper, but I create the intention to go deeper and the energy goes
deeper. The client feels the massage as deeper, and it is. This is much
more effective than physically pushing deeper and is better for my body.
2. The "light side" vs. the "dark side"
"The Force" starts off neutral, and it is malleable to our
intentions... that’s where "light" and "dark" are. The force
aligns with our thoughts and intentions, so when giving massage it is
best to create an intention like "To help" the Receiver, and/or the
Receiver to set the intention of healing.
Having an awareness of this aspect is important, because it's very easy
at times for the mind to wander, and if it goes to places of worry or
anger (even if the anger is not directed at the Receiver), by giving
the massage while having these thoughts, "The Force" go to the "dark
side" and energetically gets into the body of the Receiver.
Ways to Clean Energy
It's important to clear and shield your energy field in day-to-day
life, but even more so when massaging a lot of people. I could write a
book about this because it has affected my life so much.
If, for the moment, we assume that pain in
the body is energetic and I, as the massage therapist, am helping my
client let go of that physical pain (energy), then it is possible that
I may pick up some of that pain energy, manifesting in the form of a
physical pain that is similar to the pain my client was experiencing.
Or, after a massage, I feel incredibly
depressed for no reason except that my last client was really depressed
when he came in and then left feeling better, it’s safe to guess
that all I have to do to feel better is to clear any residue of his
energy out of my field.
Don’t worry… the positive
effects of the massage won't change if you clear the Receiver’s
energy out of your field.
1. Cold water
This is the fastest way (though not the most effective) way to clean
energy off. In between massages, I wash my hand with warm water, and
then I do a cold water rinse with the intention of clearing my previous
client’s energy off.
2. Burning Sage
This is called smudging and is an excellent way to clean energy off of
the body, off of objects (like hot stones, massage tools or crystals)
and rooms. I sage my apartment several times a week… sometimes
several times a day if it's been a busy day or I've had a client with
really heavy energy.
3. Salt (Sea salt or regular salt.)
There are many ways to incorporate salt into salt to your cleansing routine. There are two ways I use salt.
The first is to add about half a cup of salt to my bath (I also add
about 10 drops each of lavender, tea tree and eucalyptus and some Epsom
salts to sooth my muscles).
The second way to use the salt to cleanse energy is to make a Salt Scrub.
Make a Salt Scrub
(A totally yummy spa experience that can easily be replicated at home)
I mix 50/50 sea salt & Epsom salt (the Epsom doesn’t clean
the energy field but it does soothe tired muscles, and it makes the
mixture less abrasive), and then add enough olive oil to lightly
saturates the mixture. Sometimes I also add some lavender oil. Then I
use the scrub on my hands and forearms after a busy massage day. It
cleans the energy, massages and moisturizes my arms/hands, and softens
and exfoliates the skin.
In spas it is used to exfoliate the back.
Please remember to rub gently as the salt can be a bit abrasive.
4. Meditation
At the beginning and end of each day, I have a special meditation to
clean and shield my energy field. The meditation doesn't take that much
time (5 minutes) but it's a long read, so I request for the sake of
brevity (ha… too late) that you forgive me for not including it
on this page. If you are interested, please input your request in the Feedback Form and I’ll send you my energy clearing meditation.
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