Issue link: https://www.massageandbodyworkdigital.com/i/1208028
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 . 67 Andy also has a pragmatic view of the value of being present in their body for this work. "Embodiment improves my listening to my client through my attitude, hands, and body. Lack of embodiment can lead to overtaxing or injuring myself and trying to force change on the client." Like several of the other MTs I interviewed, Andy was quick to add this caveat: "Embodiment is a continuously renewing practice. I will get tired, lose my focus, and find myself in new circumstances, and so will my clients. Life is a verb, not a noun." This theme of embodiment as ongoing practice came up in my discussions with massage therapists a lot. It is tempting to imagine that body awareness/acceptance is a thing that can just happen. We have these aha moments—an unexpected illness or injury, a brilliant yoga retreat, massage school—and they feel life changing. They are life changing, but life continues and—as Andy pointed out—we get tired and distracted. EMBODIMENT TAKES PRACTICE: IT'S NOT A "ONE AND DONE" I'm doing really well and feeling good about my body and then this nagging injury interrupts my smooth ride, and I'm pulled out again. Paying attention is hard. Being in one's body when it's not all good is hard. It would be lovely if this mess of truly inhabiting one's body was "one and done." Sadly, just like a single massage, a single aha moment is just that. Relationships need to be tended and paid attention to. They change. They require work. The relationship with our body is no different. Rebecca said, "This is a lifelong process—we create ceremonies and rituals and we think that's it. But we haven't done the work. You're creating a pantomime—there's a reason it's a verb—being is a never-ending process." The bodyworkers I spoke with are all very different people with different types of practices in different locations. Not trying to fix and openness to change, kindness, and commitment to a lifelong practice were the themes that surfaced "As a thing that helps me do stuff, my body has always done what I wanted it to do—be fast and adroit, ski, jump, lift heavy weights, etc.—but the outward presentation doesn't match how I envision it or wish it was." in all the conversations I had. Does that mean they are obvious? Universal? True? If everyone is thinking about embodiment, why do we see so much burnout and repetitive stress injuries in massage therapy? What about therapists working outside their scope of practice? It is work to be humble, friendly, and curious with my body and with the bodies of others. And I am humbled and curious about the ways other bodyworkers tackle this inner and outer work. Please tell me what you think about all this—how does your relationship with your own body affect the work you do with other bodies? Can you really be in your body? I'll leave you with one last question that I asked of all the bodyworkers who so generously shared their time and thoughts with me: Do you need to be "embodied" or have a "good" relationship with your body to do this work? • Amanda: You can fake it for a while. There are plenty of ways to do this work that are mechanical. And there are people who think they want that, but I don't think you're giving people the full dosage of what massage could be if you're just working like a mechanic. You're not giving them the full amazing thing that massage can be. • Rebecca: To do it well and safely and ethically, yes. Any fool can touch somebody. Any fool can also hurt somebody. • Tim: I can say that no matter how well or ill I feel, it is important to feel care for my body and to honor its needs. Sometimes you have to override those needs because you have to pay the rent, right? But soothing it, feeding it well, and letting it recover are important. • Cal: Anybody can rub. It depends what you think being "good at this" means. I think doing this work means showing up to the person in front of me. If I can't show up to myself, it's going to be hard to show up to someone else. • Andy: Yes! The more I can be present and embodied with myself, the more I can be present and embodied with my client. I cannot force my client to relax or change any more than I can force myself to relax or change. All I can do is be present and attentive, and cultivate compassion for what is. I can strive to view my client and myself with openness and potential and be curious at what will happen next. Kerry Jordan is honored to work at Healwell, providing massage therapy and education in hospitals around the Washington, DC, metro area and around the world. Her work as a massage therapist focuses on serving adults and children living with medically complex conditions, both in and out of the hospital. Please reach out and connect with her at info@healwell.org.