Massage & Bodywork

NOVEMBER | DECEMBER 2019

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Essence goes beyond superficial observation. You're not going to be able to tabulate your (or someone else's) essence through a social media feed, bank account, grade, title, or shopping habits. Rather, to access and activate essence qualities, we need to dig deep and go beyond our assumptions, judgments, and identifications to arrive at the ineffable, the unshakable, the essential you. Do you know what your essence qualities are? Are you living into your essence? "There is something of yourself that you leave at every meeting with another person."—Fred Rogers WE ARE HUMAN BEINGS, NOT HUMAN DOINGS When we travel to foreign countries and meet new people, very rarely do new acquaintances ask, "What do you do?" And yet, in the US, it's often the preliminary line of questioning people begin with upon a first meeting. Is what you do who you are? Maybe yes, and partly no. At home, I'm unlikely massaging people after a full day of sessions. Rather, I'm preparing a meal, walking my dog, watching TV, and/or enjoying a great conversation with my beloved. But these activities are not who I am either. What I'm up to in my personal or professional life is informed by my essence, although these activities do not define the essential nature of my beingness. All kinds of confusion and frustration arise when we over-identify with external images of who we are supposed to be. If I rely on marketing campaigns constantly competing for my attention, I would act as though purchasing and consuming were the only ways to feel happy. If I align my self-esteem on the messaging broadcasted by social media, celebrities, and so-called reality programs, I'm setting myself up for cycles of inadequacy, drama, and self-inflicted loathing. If I attempt to keep up with the frenetic pacing of rushing to get ahead and the cultural perpetuation of time urgency, I'm likely to feel exhausted, overwhelmed, or have an accident and hurt myself. Instead, essence is a path of self-discovery—revealing what things, places, and people most amplify our personal happiness, create harmonious relationships, and grow a foundation of appreciation and self-love. Ta k e 5 a n d t r y A B M P F i v e - M i n u t e M u s c l e s a t w w w. a b m p . c o m / f i v e - m i n u t e - m u s c l e s . 23 Watch "Finding Your Essence Pace" The Essence Interview In an effort to assist in the amplification of your essence, we have provided questions inspired by the work of the Foundation of Conscious Living. You can write your answers down or float the answers in the space around and within you. Feel free to include loved ones in this exploration as well. Enjoy—be playful and light! To begin: Open to your breath, scan, and feel your body sensations as you occupy a clear space at the center of you. Breathe into the possibility of being surprised and delighted by your own responses. Now, consider: • What colors/textures support you? • What movements delight you? • What do you most appreciate about yourself in this moment? • What most nourishes you? • What are your favorite action verbs? • What can you do now to support your most natural self? • How do you most like to play? • What's your ideal flow of a day? • Where do you most like to be? • If you were to make the shape of your inner essence with your body posture right now, what would it look like? • What is your experience of moving at your perfect pace?

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