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Massage is all about making you feel comfortable in your own skin, and the
last thing you want is to have a language barrier make you feel uncomfortable
before you even begin. Words you don't know can make you feel like an out-
sider, which may have the tragic consequence of keeping you from doing
what you really want to do when you get a massage — relax and feel better.
Your goal may be to become one of those knowledgeable clients who enters a
massage clinic and requests "a bit of cranio-sacral for this headache I've had
for two days now, and then some Trager in the hip area to loosen my tight
psoas, and throw in some trigger point work on my traps, will your Or, on
the other hand, perhaps this massage mumb-oJumbo seems completely
pointless to you, and all you really want to do is lie down and get rubbed.
Even if you belong to the latter group, knowing at least a few of the terms that
massage therapists (and those who receive massage) commonly employ is
helpful.
This section is a primer on massage lingo to help familiarize you with the
terms you may run into when you
3 Contact a massage professional to inquire about rates, services, and so on
3 Visit a massage clinic
3 Read journals, magazines, or books in the field
3 Attempt to explain massage to a friend
3 Ask people to recommend a massage therapist or style for you
Table 5-1 lists several specialized massage words and phrases that at first
glance seem deceptively like everyday words and phrases. But don't be
deceived. These words, when used in regards to massage, are highly specific
and, when used correctly, can lead you to hours and hours of enjoyment,
health benefits, and pleasure.
Table 5-1 Massage-English, English-Massage Dictionary
Word Non-manage definition Massage definition
Rolled Past-tense of "to throw up Deep massage work on
on," a variant spelling of connective tissues that
"Ralphed" realign the body with
gravity
Bodyworker Mechanic specializing in A practitioner of massage
repairing cars after or similar hands-on healing
accidents techniques
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Word Non-massage definition Massage definition
Structural work Carpentry, mostly done on Massage that works on
house frames the body's muscles and
connective tissues to
better align them with
gravity
Spa Hot tub or Jac urzi Health facility where
people go to learn holistic
practices, eat healthy
foods, exercise, and
receive massages and spa
treatments
Ayurveda Misspelling of a famous An ancient healing system
brand of natural beauty from India that uses diet
products found in salons meditation, herbs, and
massage to balance the
body
Swedish Anything from the country The most well-known and
of Sweden widely practiced form of
massage in the Western
world, consisting of
stroking, kneading, apply-
ing pressure, stretching,
and so on
Trigger point The fine, pointed end of a A tight, tender spot in a
pistol's trigger muscle that responds well
to massage
Connective tissues Kleenex brand facial tissues The web of tissue
all linked together in a box (primarily collagen fibers)
that surrounds your every
muscle, organ, and bone,
holding your body together
Deep tissue Kleenex stuck deep between A type of massage that
the cushions on your couch targets the deeper layers
of muscle and connective
tissue
Energy work Repairs on the electrical Type of massage that
lines of your house focuses on vital, invisible
energies in your body
(continued)
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Massage is all about making you feel comfortable in your own skin, and the
last thing you want is to have a language barrier make you feel uncomfortable
before you even begin. Words you don't know can make you feel like an out-
sider, which may have the tragic consequence of keeping you from doing
what you really want to do when you get a massage — relax and feel better.
Your goal may be to become one of those knowledgeable clients who enters a
massage clinic and requests "a bit of cranio-sacral for this headache I've had
for two days now, and then some Trager in the hip area to loosen my tight
psoas, and throw in some trigger point work on my traps, will your Or, on
the other hand, perhaps this massage mumb-oJumbo seems completely
pointless to you, and all you really want to do is lie down and get rubbed.
Even if you belong to the latter group, knowing at least a few of the terms that
massage therapists (and those who receive massage) commonly employ is
helpful.
This section is a primer on massage lingo to help familiarize you with the
terms you may run into when you
3 Contact a massage professional to inquire about rates, services, and so on
3 Visit a massage clinic
3 Read journals, magazines, or books in the field
3 Attempt to explain massage to a friend
3 Ask people to recommend a massage therapist or style for you
Table 5-1 lists several specialized massage words and phrases that at first
glance seem deceptively like everyday words and phrases. But don't be
deceived. These words, when used in regards to massage, are highly specific
and, when used correctly, can lead you to hours and hours of enjoyment,
health benefits, and pleasure.
Table 5-1 Massage-English, English-Massage Dictionary
Word Non-manage definition Massage definition
Rolled Past-tense of "to throw up Deep massage work on
on," a variant spelling of connective tissues that
"Ralphed" realign the body with
gravity
Bodyworker Mechanic specializing in A practitioner of massage
repairing cars after or similar hands-on healing
accidents techniques
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Table 5-1 (continued)
Word Non-manage definition Massage definition
Adhesion The sticky mark left on your Muscle and connective
skin after removing an tissue fibers that are stuck
adhesive bandage together because of
injuries, scars, aging, and
lack of movement
Massage can help sepa-
rate most adhesions,
which are sometimes
painful, though not usually
dangerous.
Drape Decorative material that Towels, sheets, and so on,
hangs in front of a window used to cover a person
receiving a massage
Knots Things tied in ropes light bands of muscle
fibers and connective tis-
sues that massage often
softens
On-site massage Massage given at Seated and clothed
construction sites massage given in special
chairs — usually in
offices, in stores, or at spe-
cial events
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Chapter 5: A Massage Road Map
Bon jour, monsieur masseuse
You walk into a health club and sign .up for a use French words to describe the movements of
massage. A big, burly, bodybuilder of a man massage, and even the word "massage" itself.
walks out, shakes your hand in his massive paw, The words for someone who performs massage
and tells you his name is John. therefore come from the French also:
"Nice to meet you," you say, slightly awed. 3 A masseur is a male practitioner of
"How long have you•been a masseuse?" massage.
"I'm not a masseusel" he thunders, causing you 3 A masseuse is a female practitioner.
to shake in your sneakers. And once, again you
An easy way for you to remember the correct
have that terrible realization that you've flubbed
term is to think of monsieur —the French word
up the whole masseur/masseuse thing.
for Mr. - which sounds like masseur. And an
"Sorry," you stammer, confused and embar- even easier method is to avoid the
rassed, but inside you're also a lithe mad. How masseur/masseuse dilemma altogether by
are you supposed to remember the difference using the more modem, non-gender-based term
between those silly French words, and who "massage therapitt" for malet and females
made them.up in the firstplace anyway? alike, which.iswhat Most:professionals prefer,
anyway.
Strangely enough, it was a Dutch man, Dr.
Johann Mezger (1839-1909), who decided to
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Chapter 6
Look Who's Coming to Touch You
0 0 0 0 0 • 0 • e OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
In This Chapter
p. Stalking the elusive referral
0- Locating a massage therapist
0. Developing a relationship with your massage therapist
op. Deciding whether licensing matters
y
ou're no doubt absolutely convinced that massage would make a truly
superb addition to your life, and you're Just about ready to pick up that
phone (yes, that one, right over there), dial one of the contact numbers I'm
about to give you in this chapter, and order up your very first session of
"touch take-out? Soon, a chipper and thoroughly professional person will
show up at your door carrying a monstrous padded folding table. He or she
will open the table in the privacy of your own comfortable dwelling. You'll
smile self-confidently, take all your clothes off, and then ... wait a minute!
Did I say, "Take all your clothes off?" Well, by golly, I guess I did. Suddenly,
this whole, wonderfully abstract concept of massage has become disconcert-
ingly real. And, in spite of your appreciation for the undeniably therapeutic
benefits of massage, if that professional stranger were to ring your doorbell
right this minute, you may be tempted to say, "Excuse me for a moment, will
you? I just have to go get my law degree at Columbia University and then I'll
be right with you."
If that sounds like you, don't worry. This chapter's purpose is to make you
more comfortable with the people who will be massaging you, including people
you already know, with whom sharing massage will be a new adventure.
Stalking the Elusive Referral
One time-honored concept used to battle your fear of a stranger in your
home is to assure that the person who shows up on your doorstep to give
you a massage is not a stranger. You can accomplish this goal in two ways:
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II3 Give your cousin Billy several thousand dollars and send him through
massage school so you can call him later and make an appointment.
3 Get a referral.
The second option is by far the more common choice, but that doesn't mean
you should entirely dismiss the concept of financing massage school for
friends or family members. The world needs more massage therapists! If you
happen to be extremely wealthy, do the world a favor and set up a massage-
school trust fund. (The investment may even be tax deductible.)
A six-point mental checklist (to go over in your mind
before deciding which massage therapist to try)
No matter how qualified and highly recom- 3. Is she someone you Dice to emulate as far
mended- a massage therapist may come to you, as calmnessand tranquility go? Likeit or not,
andto matter what Other people say about her, you will.probabhi look upon your massage
you still must decide whether she's the right therapist as a role model in the relaxation
massage therapist for you. Remember, you're category. A tense, uptight massage therapitt
very likely to share a .great deal.of yourself with isn't setting a good example.
this person (massage therapists are like hair
4. Is,s he "soft" where she needs to be soft
dreSsert on steroids when it comes to the Um-
(unobtrusive and non-opinionated) and
fiding-in factor). And,-because your massage
"hard" where she needs to be hard (unre-
therapitt widget toknow your body better than
lenting in her serious desire to see you feel
anyone else except an intimate partner, you
better)?
haveto.be willing totrust her.,Sometimes, you
have no precise way to gauge which massage 5. Is she someone you feel an immediate
"lit
therapist will make precisely the best with sense of empathywith? To use a precise sci-
your personality, and no amount of analytical entific term here, do the two of you click?
deliberation will help you decide who to choose.
6. Is she the right sex? The decision on
That said, try using this quick checklistto judge whether to receive massage from a male Or
your own gut reaction tothaperson you're about female massage therapist is entirely up to
to spend a considerable amount of quality the you. Many people have no preference, as
with: long-as the massage therapist is competent
and strong, but others feel more comfortable
1. Does she immediately make you feel like
with one sex than the other in a massage
you're important?
setting. Most massage establishments will
2. Does she look you right in the eye and fill you give you a choice when requesting a mas-
with a sense of utter confidence so that sage therapist. Afteryou get started with the
you're already feeling better before she actual massage, you'll probably find thatthe
even touches you? massage therapist's gender doesn't really
matter as much as you may have thought
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Chapter 6: Look Who's Coming to Touch You S
Of course, you may be more comfortable going to the "neutral ground" of a
professional massage establishment rather than inviting someone unknown
into your home. See the section "Visiting a clinic" later in this chapter for
more information.
In case you're wondering who to ask for a referral without embarrassing
yourself, the following list may come in handy. Actually, you may be sur-
prised at how many people can potentially help you find a massage therapist.
First, you probably should NOT ask certain people to refer a massage thera-
pist, including ...
3 Certain physicians who are not aware of the benefits of massage and
who may think that all massage therapists are "quacks."
3 Your Aunt Gertrude who had a massage once on a cruise and now con-
siders herself an expert.
3 People who are currently under Indictment for health-care fraud.
After you cross those sources off your list, you can still find plenty of helpful
folks ready to steer you towards the nearest pair of helping hands. Some of
those places where you're most likely to get a good referral from include ...
3 The contact numbers at major massage associations and accrediting
organizations (see the section "Organizations That Can Help You Find a
Massage Therapist" later in this chapter).
3 Enlightened physicians who are aware of the benefits of massage and
who are more than happy to refer you to the ones they work with. In
fact, many doctors these days have a massage therapist or two on staff.
3 Athlete friends who receive massage as part of their training.
3 A co-worker or family member who's had a particularly good experience
with the massage therapist she's been using for an extended period of
time.
3 The "best-or articles that health and beauty magazines such as Shape,
Self, Mademoiselle, Glamour, and so on often feature.
3 Your friend Tina, the one who wears the Birkenstock sandals all the time
and has that look of blissed-out satisfaction on her face even when she's
standing in line at the grocery store checkout counter.
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Getting a Helping Hand
You can collectively refer to the four numbers I'm about to give you as "mas-
sage central." Among them you'll find the contact information for over 80,000
qualified massage therapists in the U.S. right at your fingertips.
Drum roll please ... and the contact numbers are:
3 To find a massage therapist who is a member of the oldest nationwide
organization, the American Massage Therapy Association (AMTA), call toll
free, 888-843-2682, for their Find-A-Massage•Therapist'0'> Location Service.
3 To find the nearest member of Associated Bodywork and Massage
Professionals (ABMP), call 800-458-2267.
3 To find a member massage therapist of the International Massage
Association (IMA), call 202-387-6555.
3 For a list of massage therapists who have taken the test given by the
National Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork
(NCBTMB) and are therefore Nationally Certified in all 50 U.S. states, call
703-610-9015.
Of course, among those 80,000. massage therapists, you're going to find
quite a range of skills and offerings, and there isn't one, single tried-and-true
means of prequalifying someone. However, you are living In an extremely
lucky time, oh fortunate massage recipient, because in the past several years
the number of highly skilled and fully trained massage pros has grown at an
amazing rate all around the world.
Following is a list of contact numbers for professional massage practitioners
in several countries:
3 Australia: Massage Australia, Sydney, tel. (02) 4757 3050
3 France: French Federation of Masseurs Kinesitherapeutes (FFMKR),
Paris, tel. 01 44 83 46 00
3 Italy: Federazione Nazionale dei Collegi dei Massofisioterapisti
(F.N.C.M.), Rome, tel. 03 94 61 915 499
3 U.K.: The Institute for Complementary Medicine, London, tel. 00 44 171
237-5165
Locating a Massage Therapist
If for some reason you can't locate a massage therapist by simply calling one
of the numbers listed previously, you can pursue several other avenues in
quest of massage.
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Chapter 6: Look Who's Coming to Touch You 83
Checking the ads
Each locale has its own regulations regarding the advertising of massage, and
sometimes the regulations vary from city to city. What may be perfectly legal
in Los Angeles, for example, can be verboten in Slow( City, Iowa.
Beware those ads featuring massage therapists with huge muscles, wearing
black leather vests with no shirt underneath, staring straight into the camera
with a come-hither look in their eyes, especially in San Francisco. These
pictures may be a clue tipping you off to the extra curricular intentions of
this particular massage therapist, licensed or not. Then again, it could be a
fashion statement.
Letting your fingers do the walking
VIN/04, In some areas, massage therapists must include an official massage license
number as part of any Yellow Pages listing for massage. According to Dan
Ulrich, past president of the Florida State Massage Therapy Association, the
inclusion of the license number in Yellow Pages and other ads significantly
reduced the amount of unethical massage advertising. Although the license
number is not mandatory everywhere, it's a clue that you're dealing with a
therapeutic professional. If you don't see a license number or some other
professional credentials listed, call and ask for one.
Opening the bureau door
You may occasionally run into ads for massage service bureaus that guaran-
tee you a massage within a specified period of time (usually within a couple
hours). The bureaus have a central number that you call, and they send one
of the many independent massage therapists on their list out to you at your
choice of location. Quite often, these are very up-and-up enterprises run by
entrepreneurial massage therapists who have discovered a new way to multi-
ply their effectiveness and their income. At times, though, the quality of the
services offered can be a little iffy, because all the massage therapists aren't
carefully screened all the time in all the bureaus. So, if you're not personally
familiar with the service, and you haven't received a specific recommenda-
tion, you're never sure exactly what you're going to get when you call one of
these places. Bureaus are most useful when you're traveling and have no
other means of contacting a massage therapist.
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Getting the most massage for your money
When dealing with your massage therapist, cer- 3 Ask for a massage in exchange for refer-
tain tactics cad increase happiness for both of ring a new client to your massage
you, and in the process, maximize the value you therapist She will appreciate the new cus-
receive from your experience. tomer, and you deserve the recognition.
3 Offer to pay up front for a discounted series 3 Inquire about rates for longer massage ses-
of massages: For example, if the massage sions: Often the price drops proportionally
therapist charges $50 for a massage, offer with the length of the massage, and you can
$400 dollars for 10 massages. Often, mas- receive a 90- minute massage for not too
sagetherapists appreciate the immediate much morethan a 60- minute massage. A
cash flow and the guarantee of ongoing massage therapist who charges $50 for an
business. This arrangement is good for their hour massage may offer an hour and a half
business, and good for your pocketbook. massage for $65 or $70, for example.
Going back to school
Wherever you are, one excellent way to get in touch with a massage practitioner
is to call a massage school in your area. There are more schools around than
you think — the U.S. alone has over 800. Look in the phone book, under "voca-
tional schools" or "schools, massage therapy." The schools often have a list of
graduates in the area that they can recommend, and quite often they offer mas-
sage services in a clinic in the school.
One excellent deal that many people take advantage of is known as the student
massage clinic In this setup, the students receive part of their training by
working on real massage customers, under supervision, of course. Student
massages go for only fraction of the normal cost, usually only k to 35 the going
rate of a professional massage in the area. More often than not, the students
are already quite good at what they do, and dollar for dollar this option is one
of the best bargains in massage.
Keep in mind that you may be asked to fill out a detailed feedback form after
the massage, for training purposes. Also, the student clinics usually take
place in a big room with curtains separating the massage tables. Quite often,
an instructor stops in to observe the student In action. So if you're a super-
private individual who doesn't like to have other people around when you're
getting a massage, the student clinic is probably not for you. Also, if you have
a specific health problem that you'd like to address with massage, it's best to
visit a licensed professional. For relaxation and stress relief, though, student
massages are usually as effective as more expensive professional massages
because the students are trying extra hard to please you (and pass their
coursework at the same time).
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Chapter 6: Look Who's Coming to Touch You
Pampering pour Massage Therapist
After you choose a massage therapist and begin to develop a working rela-
tionship with him, a few endearing personality quirks may begin to surface.
Some massage therapists work barefoot, even in the winter, for example.
Others hold a giant quartz crystal over your body before the massage. And
some tape a bunch of magnets under their massage table to "align your
energy" while they work on you. Try not to take your massage therapist's
idiosyncrasies too seriously. They're Just trying to do the best job they can.
It's just that some of their methods may seem a little, um, colorful at first.
Refer to rule # 9, "You're the boss," in Chapter 7 for advice on letting your
massage therapist know what you're comfortable and what you're not
comfortable with.
As a general rule, massage therapists are a finicky and extremely sensitive
lot. They're somewhat like pure-bred cats, and although their job description
calls for a great deal of touching, they also need to receive strokes them-
selves (often to that most delicate muscle, the ego). If you become an expert
at scratching behind the ears of your massage therapist's self-image, you can
coax a better performance from him, and your relationship will be a happier
one all around.
The following are some simple points to remember whenever you're dealing
directly with your massage therapist:
3 Always offer encouragement first before you criticize: For example, if
your massage therapist is applying a little too much pressure in a partic-
ular area, definitely let her know about it, but first say something like,
"What you were doing a minute ago felt really great. You can lighten up
the pressure a little right now, though."
3 Always, always, always praise the massage your therapist just gave you
immediately after you receive it, even if this is the seven hundred and
eighty-ninth massage you've received from her: The immediate gratifi-
cation of this simple act is powerful. It's the same reason all an actress's
friends rush backstage after the play to heartily laud her skills. The ego
muscle is most delicate directly after the big performance, and for a great
massage therapist, every massage Is a type of performance.
3 Always communicate clearly about exactly what fee you expect to pay
for exactly which services: Pricing of massage services may be a sensitive
issue. Be clear on the answers to the following questions before you begin:
• Is the charge for an hour and fifteen minute massage higher than
that for an hour massage?
• Does the massage therapist have a cancellation policy?
• Does your massage therapist reimburse insurance claims?
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Part II: The Art of Receiving Massage
Licensing Touch
Being a wise consumer, when you head out looking for a massage pro to rub
you the right way, you'll want to ask yourself that all-important question: Is
she licensed? The problem here is that not all good, professional massage
therapists in all areas are licensed. In the U.S., only half the states even
require licensing for massage. Some states require no license at all, and in
others the licensing is county-by-county or city-by-city. So even someone who
is very highly trained and takes her job very seriously may be license-less,
through no fault of her own.
Internationally, licensing rules for massage therapists vary widely from coun-
try to country. Some countries, like Singapore, for example, have little or no
regulation, while in other countries, like France, massage therapists are part
of the medical community and operate out of their own medical clinics. The
best course of action in foreign countries is to ask someone you trust to rec-
ommend massage. Also, you can read through Chapter 17 for some more
suggestions.
The rules concerning massage licensing are too complex and changeable to
list here. They differ from area to area and time to time. In fact, in Santa
Monica, California, where I first started working as a massage therapist, the
actual laws on the books stated that nobody could open a massage clinic
within 500 feet of a church, and in order to receive your city license to prac-
tice, you had to take a test certifying that you were free of all venereal
diseases. Go figure.
If you want information about how massage practitioners are licensed in your
area, you can call the board or department in your state that regulates mas-
sage therapists. If there is no such regulating board, check with a local
massage school to see what kind of education and certification is normal for
practitioners in your area.
The best thing to do when you're trying to determine the professional status
of any individual massage therapist is to ask the therapist. I know, this strat-
egy is stunningly simple, but it works. If she doesn't know anything about
licensing, you may have an unprofessional person on your hands. On the
other hand, if she knows her stuff, she can tell you exactly who to call or
where to look to verify local licensing requirements in general, and hers in
particular.
Because this whole licensing issue is so confusing in many areas, you're wise
to consider certification as an equally, if not more, important factor in deter-
mining who to choose as your massage therapist.
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Chapter 6: Look Who's Coming to Touch You
13
Original sin?
Some massage therapists think that requiring control or regulation. They often live in cabins in
licensing for massage is almost sinful, because rugged-individualist states such as Vermont,
they perceive what they do as art. They figure which, as an interesting side-note that has
that licensing massage is like licensing a painter absolutely nothing to do with massage, is the
to paint, or a writer to write. Ridiculous! These only state that has managed to keep out
people thoroughly oppose ahy attempts at Wal-Mart stores.
If a massage therapist has graduated from a bona-fide massage school, he has
received a certificate of completion, and this certificate often notes the
number of hours completed, specialties studied, and other relevant informa-
tion. This certification may be the single most substantial piece of evidence
of a massage therapist's dedication to his craft, especially in those areas
where licensing is not required.
Another type of certification is awarded to those massage therapists who
complete a test given by a certification board, such as the National
Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork (NCBTMB). This
certification is another way of determining competency.
Remember, in massage, just as in a marriage, It's not the actual piece of
paper, but the level of commitment on the participants' part that is most vital
to the success of the relationship. A fancy, gold-embossed massage license
hanging on the wall in a frame is no guarantee that you're going to like a
given massage therapist's technique. And, on the other hand, someone with
no certificate or license at all may be one of the most highly sldlled massage
therapists you'll ever meet. When it comes down to choosing a pro, go with
your heart and your intuition.
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Chapter 7
The Rules for Receiving Massage
in This Chapter
0. Following guidelines for receiving a massage
D Getting in tune and staying In touch
Fa
om the day you were born, your body has been hanging around you like
shadow. It never leaves you alone. You wake up in the morning, and
there your body is, faithful as a puppy, thumping its little tail against your
freshly washed bedspread. At first, having a body Is a novelty, a fact that you
can see reflected in the faces of babies and small children. Even the most
mundane details about their bodies fill them with delight. "Oh boy, there's my
hand again!"
As you mature, however, you become more accustomed to having a body,
and it begins to bore you. This boredom usually occurs as young people
enter their teenage years. "Oh boy, my hand again, big deal." At this point,
they begin to pierce their bodies in various locations and cover them with
decorative tattoos. By the time people are full-fledged adults, though, most of
them have begun to concentrate on other things, leaving their bodies far
behind. The only time they really get connected to their bodies is when
they're learning a new skill of some kind, like soccer, or neurosurgery.
The result? Most people take their bodies for granted. One of massage's main
objectives is to get you back "into" your body again. A good massage should
rekindle your childlike enthusiasm for life.
In order for massage to help you achieve the lofty goal of getting back in
touch with yourself, you need to follow certain guidelines, which I Just
happen to outline in this chapter. At first, some of these "rules" may seem a
little simplistic to you. Others may appear irrelevant. However, I give you my
personal guarantee that if you try them out when you're on the receiving end
of a massage, you're going to get much more out of the experience.
So, approach these guidelines with an open mind, apply them when you feel
that doing so is appropriate during your own massage exchanges, and watch
your enjoyment of massage soar to levels beyond your expectations.
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0
The rules for receiving massage are, in fact, quite similar to the Ancient
Secrets of Life as passed down by Big Important Spiritual Leaders for thou-
sands of years. Yes, it's true; you can learn every really important thing in life
by lying down and getting rubbed.
Honing your skills at receiving massage is more than simply a way to feel
better. It's also a way to improve your life. Read through these rules, practice
them, and you'll see what I mean.
Rule #1: Keep Breathing
When you receive a massage from a professional, she may remind you sev-
eral times in a soft, soothing voice to breathe. And you may be tempted to
say right back to her in a not-so-soothing voice, "I'm already breathing, in
case you haven't noticed."
Don't be offended. The massage therapist's comments aren't meant to imply
that she thinks you're deceased, and she's not trying to insult you for your
poor breathing skills. In fact, many massage therapists start each and every
massage with a series of deep breaths, regardless of how obviously alive you
are to begin with.
A massage therapist may tell you to take deep breaths during a massage for
the following reasons:
3 To help you focus on the sensations you're feeling in your body rather
than the internal monologue going on in your mind
3 To get you to fill your lungs and thus all your cells with fresh oxygen,
enlivening your entire body
3 To help you become aware of muscles that you've been holding tense so
you can start to relax them
Most people walk around not actually breathing much. People tend to use
only a tiny percentage of their lung capacity, just like they use only a tiny per-
centage of their brain capacity. Proper breathing changes that.
While receiving a massage, focus your mind as fully as possible upon the
very important act of breathing. Focusing your mind on your breath brings
your awareness back to your body quicker than anything else.
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Chapter 7: The Rules for Receiving Massage
Going with the diaphragm's flow
The diaphragm is a muscle in your abdomen — it looks like a soft pizza
shaped into a double-headed dome — that is responsible for keeping you
breathing (see Figure 7-1). Most of the time, your diaphragm is contracting
and relaxing without conscious thought from you, but you can teach yourself
to control this activity. In the section "Exercising your breathing muscle's
breath," I give you an exercise that helps you use this muscle more con-
sciously, which enables you to exert more control over your breathing,
making It fuller and deeper.
Figure 7-1:
The
diaphram
and other
elements
of your
respiratory
system.
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Part II: The Art of Receiving Massage
Exercising your breathing muscles
The next time you have the chance, spend a few minutes observing a sleep-
ing — or at least relaxed — infant or toddler breathe. Pay close attention to
the abdomen, and you can see the entire area gently lift and lower. This
movement is the result of an active, uninhibited diaphragm at work.
Then look down at your own abdomen while you breathe for a few minutes.
Notice a difference? Where did all the lifting and lowering go? You still have
the same breathing mechanisms you always did; they're not something you
grow out of. With each breath you take, you should indeed have a visibly
rhythmical, moving body. Somewhere along the line, though, most people
stifle themselves into taking shallow, insufficient breaths. This type of breath-
ing is a common reaction to the act of growing older. Don't worry, you're still
getting enough oxygen to survive. But, are you getting enough to thrive? By
practicing deep breathing during massage, you can literally rejuvenate your
body, sending extra-oxygenated blood out all the way to your toes.
The key to breathing properly while getting a massage is to take whole
breaths, a term that basically means "breathing like a kid." Go ahead and try a
whole breath now. Lie down on your back, placing your palms gently on your
abdomen, and then begin this four-step process:
1. Breathe deep and low into your lungs so that your abdomen pushes
your hands upward.
Make sure that you're not Just pushing up with your stomach muscles,
but that you're actually expanding the entire abdominal area.
2. Continue the expansion up into your ribs, allowing them to push out-
ward toward each side.
3. When your ribs have expanded out as far as they'll go, then expand
them up toward your head, taking the last bit of breath into the area
just beneath your collar bones.
4. Let the whole thing collapse.
You don't need to try and push the air out; Just let it flow. When your
lungs feel empty and your abdomen is flat once again, you can restart
the process.
Rule #2: Stay Loose
As you probably know, one of the main points of getting a massage is to relax.
Logically, you may then think that you can just give your body to a massage
therapist who will relax your body for you, like giving your car to a mechanic
and expecting him to fix it.
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