MASSAGE THERAPY IS A PRACTICE – NOT JUST A PROFESSION
By David Lauterstein
To do massage therapy genuinely, requires the cultivation of virtue. And to accomplish that requires some discipline and practice. Like yoga, fine arts, and meditation, massage works as a practice.
These deeper practices have many things in common. Perhaps most important is that the practice not only works in the world, but that it works in you.
A massage therapy practice is, when practiced over time, inherently self-transformational.
How could people feel confident in their work and their selves without practice? The kind of work and life that takes little or no effort, results in little or no change. But what do you want – the same self all the time? Or do you want fulfillment, a greater sense of your life being meaningful and valued?
I have never met anyone who didn’t wish to be happier, more fulfilled, to have an even more meaningful life. And joy in their work!
What does the practice of massage consist of?
MINDFULNESS IN TOUCH.
The means, in your massage therapy practice, if you are truly focused on your mind and heart being in touch with the client, you are basically in meditation six hours a day if you do six massages.
RESPECT FOR THE MIRACLE OF THE HUMAN BODY.
Respect for your own and those of your clients. When we learn anatomy and physiology, we KNOW that we are incredible beings who are gifted with all these living interactions taking place always and everywhere inside of us
THE CULTIVATION OF COMPASSION.
The more you practice massage, the more you understand and care for everyone’s (including yourself) unique nature and the more you find their challenges, their virtues, their pains, even their faults, things you can relate to and, possibly help with.
THE INTEGRATION OF MIND, BODY AND SPIRIT.
Massage therapy uniquely involves gracefulness of body movement, clarity of understanding and connection with one’s deepest self. All three are simultaneously cultivated when we work with our clients. Each year of practice then we become more whole, more clear in who we are, where are going in our lives and how to get there.
The practice of massage therapy makes the massage profession what it, at its best is, a human activity which supports you not just economically, but something that is incredible, meaningful, fulfilling, and transformative for both giver and receiver.