Sometimes a Massage is Just a Massage – 20 Massage in 2 Months (Massage #13)

As it goes with cigars, so it goes with massage!

I received massage #13 from Jenni Morrison at the Well-Being Center for Health on Hill Street.  Click here to see a picture of Jenni.

I learned from this massage that sometimes a massage is just a massage and that this is a good thing.

As predicted in this blog’s first post, I have become overwhelmed and developed a resistance to finishing the massage odyssey.  As with Massage #12, I simply did not want to show up for Massage #13.  In fact, if I had not made the commitment to do 20 massages in 2 months this might be the point where I quit and tell everyone that it was just too much.  (It doesn’t help that I tossed in a Jin Shin Do session and a 3-day shamanic dreaming workshop – see March posts - into the midst of the massages)!  

In lieu of quitting, I had considered taking a break.  Then I realized that in order to finish by February 28 there is no time to take a week off!

If I were to quit on grounds of overwhelm I would not be telling the whole truth.  I say this because once Jenni began massage #13 I very much wanted to be there.  Afterward, I still felt great and more than that, I found myself looking forward to the next massage.

What then is going on?  Why the resistance to something I want and enjoy?  If I had to sum it up in one word I would say, “Ego,” but before I do, let me tell you a bit about the massage.

Before the massage Jenni and I spent a few minutes talking.

               “So what’s going on with you today?” she asked.

Trusting that she would not take it personally (and also that she would see the humor in it given that I was poised to disrobe for yet another massage), I said what at the moment was true for me, “I don’t want anymore massage.”

                “Ouch!”  she said with feeling and a smile.

                “No. I’m really happy to see you.” And I was. Jenni has a great personality.  “I’m up against my limits ….”

                “I know you are doing a lot,” she said sympathetically. 

                She listened to me talk about the switch in focus from neck and shoulder to feet and ankles.  I mentioned massage #11 with Avery.

                After taking it all in she suggested the perfect way to take the break I have been wanting and continue the massage marathon at the same time.  

                “So you just want relaxation,” she said.

                Relaxation.  The word was an epiphany!

                Jenni left the room.  “I’ll start you face down,” she said before closing the door behind her. 

I undressed and got onto the table.  I slid between the sheets, turned onto my stomach and put my face in the face cradle.  I waited.  Jenni reappeared with hot packs and stacked them on my back. 

She started the massage on my legs with broad strokes.  She did not use a lot of oil which felt enlivening.  She worked the area on the outside of my calves where it is often tight.  She worked lightly and without too much depth.  This meant that I was not working so hard.  I began to lighten up and relax.

We talked about movies and whether “Black Swan” and “True Grit” were any good.  We laughed about the fact massage was stressing me out, an oxymoron since massage is meant to relax.  She listened to me gripe about an irritating interaction with an acquaintance. 

As we chatted, I noticed that Jenni is skillful in another way.  She let me lead the conversation.  She fell into silence when I did.  This is one of the marks of a good massage therapist.  This skill allows for conversation that doesn’t interfere with the client’s experience of the massage.

Jenni spent a good amount of time working the soles of my feet.  As she massaged the fleshy part at the very top of the ball of the foot, my neck and shoulders relaxed.  I remembered that the reflexology points for the shoulder are located at the top of the ball of the foot and that getting reflexology or even massage work on the feet is like getting a full body treatment, internal organs and teeth included!  Past life memories and soul fragmentation aside, one obvious connection between neck and shoulders are the reflexology points in the foot!

(for more on massage #13, see next post)