Emotions and Massage

Most people see a massage therapist regularly and know of the benefit it provides physically, to keep the body well conditioned to face the different tasks and responsibilities each day brings. However, massage also has an angle with positive effects on emotions, that seem to outgrow the skin as a result of massage therapy.

During massage a communication opens through the touch, that is beyond the physical aspect of massage and becomes an open line of communication between the massage therapist and the client. Emotions flow from our body because it is connected to the mind and our energy system. Each time our body releases emotions we reach higher ground in personal and spiritual knowledge, because we are confronted with our emotions, providing a full range of sensations, capable of taking us from tears to laughter, in some cathartic episode. (A term emerging from the ancient Greek theater to describe as one of the purposes of drama, the moving of the emotional in human beings to take the person from laughter to crying by means of the drama staged). Just like Greek drama, massage also frees from emotions, which happens sometimes during the massage session, but mostly it is carried over a few days and emerges later on.

Our spirit, that has been molded for years of education at home and in the educational system, it confronts the evolution of our personality, our ways of handling feelings and situations, and the way we take care of emotions on a day to day basis. The time we spend on the massage table gives us the chance that routine keeps stealing from us, to meditate on our past, present and future. Thus, we process images, feelings and the pressure of daily life relating to family and work responsibilities. The massage period gives us the opportunity to connect with out most personal I. Massage in the area of the chest, the hips. Massage frees us from emotions withheld from the external world frequently in an unconscious manner for long periods of time. As most children would do, lacking formal training in handling emotions, we store them as non processable and they remain in storage, non processed until something or someone triggers them.

Although there may be different approaches as to how to process those feelings laying way inside of us and which not arise to the surface transported through soft tissue in the body, there is no unique manner to process them. Each person will channel them in very distinct styles.

The massage therapist must not force the manifestation of emotions neither during the massage nor afterwards. The therapist's role is that of an instrument to release feelings and memories. In a situation in which the client-patient states directly. The therapist should play the spectator, allowing the client-patient to evolve on his/her own to reach spiritual growth that may be attained by analyzing and acceding the emotions awakened during a massage therapy. Generally, the massage therapist will limit his/her active participation to repeating the statements made by the client-patient, following the line of thinking of the client, but without including personal opinion. The objective is to help the client-patient unravel the process that will lead him/her to get rid of unnecessary emotional baggage keeping him/her emotionally attached to the past, for example.

Another notable aspect in the way we handle feelings and emotions is molded by the culture that we are raised in. Our culture, Latin and extroverted does not educate us to handle emotions, but rather to express them. The approach in processing feelings should have as a purpose to improving and surpassing situations and feelings, not seeking radical change. It is a process of acceptance. To accept our reality and ourselves, as a result of the spiritual process initiated by massage. Using massage time to meditate and bond with yourself , the client-patient enjoys down-time, while traveling within the mind into areas of memories, that may have been unattended and intentionally forgotten.

Breaking the schemes in which we educate ourselves and the expectations on what our physical should, for example, our size in clothes and other pressure inflicted by the current fashion and publication. The process of accepting observes for what and who we are both physically and emotionally is complicated and long. Accepting our virtues and defects, working with the memories that may come to the surface after the massage takes time and personal dedication, as well as a deep desire for that acceptance and advancement to higher spiritual ground.

The physical aspect of liberating emotions, feelings and memories through massage therapy emerges from the tissue object of the therapy. During the process of massage therapy tissue cleanses, the vital functions of our organism is improved through blood circulation invigoration, all while improving on our posture and alignment.

The relationship of trust between the massage therapist and his/her commitment with the client-patient will be key factors in the communication between them, However, even for those visiting a massage therapist for the first time, the experience is a source of personal enrichment. Those moments of calm and quiet within the turmoil of our daily lives provide renewal and well-being at both physical and spiritual levels.

Recommended reading:

The Sacred Mirror: Non Dual Wisdom and Psychotherapy

Donna Raskin, Yoga Beats the Blues (Fair Winds, 2003)

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