Hey it's February, the month of love, so I can be a little provocative right?
Several years ago, Philip and I found a fantastic massage therapist while we were playing with Groupons. Ellie gave one of the best massages I've had. Philip loved her too. But one can't have a massage every day. And before we knew it, it had been awhile. When I went to make an appointment (about 2 years ago), I learned that Ellie had left and they would not tell me how to reach her.
I've got pretty good internet stalking skills but I just couldn't find her. I would call back every once in awhile to see if someone would tell me where to find her but no luck. In November, I found her business card to her old place again and decided to Google her. And suddenly, BINGO, I found her. I finally made an appointment for a massage, and it was tonight.
I've not had a massage since last May. That is forever ago in massage land. But with the stress I've been under, it was time to invest in myself. If you aren't into body work, you probably don't need to read any further but I want to share because it was great.
Ellie didn't work on me long before she said my body was sending very strong signals of being way stressed out and highly frustrated. She also asked who the female figure what I was missing. I was surprised but not shocked. Some massage therapists are self proclaimed healers and Ellie is one of those. She can somehow read your body to some degree and can tell what is going on based on that. We decided to switch over to some aromatherapy and work on my "fascia" to clear some of the overwhelming feelings I currently carrying. She used hot rocks to help penetrate my muscles without hurting me.
She spent 2 hours working over my body and trying to get the muscles to release. She spent a good hour on my back alone which really needed it. She said my spine was practically crying for help so she worked on it to release my nervous system. I know. All mumbo jumbo. But what I do know is I really needed to feel cared for and nurtured even if it is through massage and hot rocks with a semi-stranger. There was a point when she told me to release and said "I've got you". I needed that.
She gave me a few tips I wanted to share to help with grieving. Before she left the room, she put a hot towel rolled up on the center of my chest. It was up high right to my neck. She told me that spot is very open when grieving and to use warmth and touch there. She suggested aromatherapy there or even just lotion rubbed there. So for anyone grieving, try it and see if you feel better.
She also gave me what she calls a heart hug. Instead of a chest hug, line up your hearts with your arms out to the side and touch hearts. It is a different kind of hug and it felt very different. Almost connected. Pretty interesting.
As I put on my pants to leave, I realized this was exactly what I needed. I needed to let myself go and have someone else help me for an hour or two. I needed someone else to help my body relax and let go. As much as it sounds like a huge luxury, I'm going to bump this up in priorities for a little while. I've been searching for something...anything to help me feel better and this appears to be it for now.
I just wanted to share. Namaste.
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