Confessions from the Massage Table

 Huh. I didn't realize how much I was still holding onto that until we just talked about it; all I needed to do was get the words out about what was going on during the time my discomfort started - because already, even before the massage, I'm beginning to feel less tension in my left shoulder. I just shoved all those emotions down and went on doing the thing because that's what you're supposed to do right - just suck it up and keep moving along. I didn't know how much this discomfort was connected to those bottled-up emotions and how much it has affected my daily life and living for the past three months. I was holding onto all of that for no reason, but didn't know it was for no reason - you have just now made me aware that holding onto something for which it was in no way under my control made me put my focus onto something that wasn't mine to begin with. And how much power that had to cause me so much physical discomfort. Wow. The body really does hold onto stuff. 

My client said these words during our initial pre-conversation. It was a two-hour session, and part of that time was sitting down to have an honest chat about what my client physically wants to let go of. At first, she skimmed over the physical issue she was experiencing until I asked her why she thought she was still having the same problem. At first, her answer was a simple 'I don't know, Shannon.' 

Then I asked her what she was doing and who she was with when her discomfort began, and, most importantly, how she felt during that time. 

As she spoke, that's when I noticed her body go through interesting changes right in front of me; first, she sat straight up in the chair, her entire body tightened up, then her face got angry, both her shoulders -especially her left - went straight up to her ears. Her breath got very shallow and choppy. When she became aware of her holding on, her entire face and body relaxed. She took a deep breath and smiled a bit at me. Her shoulders and body sank into the chair, and her whole being softened.  

The body does hold onto emotions that you stuff down. 

And then the body manifests those held emotions in an area that can cause you discomfort for a short time or an entire lifetime - and that sucks. 

Sometimes, hearing yourself talk about and re-feeling those emotions before your massage can help liberate your mind so you can give your body permission to free itself. 

Let's chat.