Issue link: https://www.massageandbodyworkdigital.com/i/1256819
N e w ! A B M P P o c k e t P a t h o l o g y a t w w w. a b m p . c o m / a b m p - p o c k e t - p a t h o l o g y - a p p . 79 Watch "Massage Tutorial: Serratus and Intercostals" THE POWER OF BREATH Alongside yogis and Pilates instructors, bodyworkers are wise in the ways of breath work. We know that deep belly breathing helps activate the parasympathetic nervous system and dismantle the army we're building in our minds to defend us from the world. We have practiced this and felt the calm prevail. We breathe, we meditate, and we let go. This might feel more difficult to do as the tension around us—and inside of us—becomes more complicated. What we are experiencing on a metaphysical level is said to parallel the experience of living during wartime. The uncertainties of what is to come and the barrage of information of how to move forward creates fear. Fear creates anxiety, and anxiety activates the sympathetic nervous system, which triggers shallow breathing. You see the downward spiral. After talking to hundreds of massage therapists, I know I am not alone in my forgetting how to exhale. We have been able to breathe through school, work, relationships, overly packed schedules, and overly saturated social media. But a global pandemic? Is this something we can actually breathe through? Aren't we supposed to be wearing masks? Let's focus on what we know. The intercostals, the diaphragm, the scalenes, and the quadratus lumborum play an important role in breathing. And that's only some of the major players. The latissimus dorsi, the rectus abdominis, the pectoralis muscles (both of them!), the serratus anterior—these all start to suffer when we aren't breathing. But we are bodyworkers. We know how to manipulate soft tissue. BREATH AS A FOUNDATION Remember that we can practice our techniques on ourselves, or, if you are fortunate to be quarantined with a loved one, on them. Working through and releasing the tension held captive within these fibers frees our breath to become full and deep. When we can actually start seeing clients again (if you aren't already) that breath will be your foundation to rebuild. Your steadiness will permeate. Your clients will feel safe. That safety will create stability. That stability will help ease the tension. Then, people will start breathing again. You see the upward spiral. As someone who has spent their entire professional life focused on the importance of breath and all the wonders that deep breathing can bring, somehow all of that is now out the window. N e w ! A B M P P o c k e t P a t h o l o g y a t w w w. a b m p . c o m / a b m p - p o c k e t - p a t h o l o g y - a p p . 79 In this time where we look at the past and long for the way things were, we look at the future and have no idea what will unfold. The present moment is all we have. You are here. You know how to do the work. That breath. That awareness. That is the ultimate guide to healing. If you believe in that, then your clients will feel it. Allison Denney is a certified massage therapist and certified YouTuber. You can find her massage tutorials at YouTube.com/ RebelMassage. She is also passionate about creating products that are kind, simple, and productive for therapists to use in their practices. Her products, along with access to her blog and CE opportunities, can be found at www.rebelmassage.com.