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they want from their time with me. Some will want specific work on an old injury or problem area, some want relaxation, some want vigorous work to energize them. Many participants have never had a massage before and they don’t know what they want, so I explain possibilities and emphasize that THEY ARE IN CONTROL of their session and that nothing should make them feel uneasy or unheard. If they feel they want to stop the massage at any time or change the focus, that is what we will do, with no need to explain or feel bad. If someone does not want a massage at all, I ask them to let me explain about massage, and to answer any questions they have, so that they will have some information to help them decide if they’d like to try it at another time. I never take it personally if someone decides they don’t want a massage, or don’t like a technique I’m using. Ego has no place in this interaction, and I must not have any particular expectations of our session other than that I will do my best.
My job is to draw upon my knowledge, intuition, and heart to do what I can to help my client along their journey of healing. It is very important to keep in mind what they are dealing with, and why they have chosen to attend the retreat. If someone wants specific work on an injury or problem area, I have been well trained in Medical/Orthopedic massage, and have actually taught it for 10 years. This modality encompasses many different massage techniques in a focused way, such as Trigger Point Therapy, Cross- Fiber Friction, Positional Release, Muscle Energy Technique, Myofascial Release, etc., with the aim of normalizing damaged or dysfunctional soft tissues. It is crucial to be knowledgeable about pathologies and injuries that I may be presented with and to know what techniques may be helpful or harmful in each case.
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