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these romantic notions—for the physical realm is constructed on the latticework of subtle energies. Subtle energies equate with quantum particles, tiny flotsam that defy gravity, logic, and the classical laws of science. According to quantum physics, our consciousness helps steer quanta, determining how physical matter arranges in space and time. By aligning with productive subtle energies and domains, we exponentially increase our chances of success. Striving for excellence involves adjusting subtle energies by addressing four pillars of achievement: passion, past, present, and practices. After introducing you to the first three arenas, I'll showcase several practices you can use in your client work to bolster performance and positive outcomes. Passion Passion invokes willpower. We must be passionate about a desire to muster the strength required to move forward, despite the inevitable blocks. Passion is one of those invisible, subtle substances necessary to ensure we can defy the odds. The Past The past is significant in two ways. First, history holds the reasons for our passions. For example, why did my hockey client yearn for a career on the ice? He'd seen a professional game when he was in elementary school and loved the sounds, smells, and sights of the game. He went all in and hadn't stopped playing since. What he didn't realize until we worked together was that his goal was intangible and subtle, not only physical. Ultimately, he yearned to become the type of person who manifested the qualities necessary to embody high-performance athletics, such as fluidity, perseverance, and prowess. Think about what characteristics are necessary for you to achieve the same for your client. Manifest these and the grueling components of performance become easier. The past also holds the obstacles that prevent someone from realizing a goal. For instance, my hockey hopeful was afraid he wouldn't—and shouldn't—become triumphant because his dad, who had once wanted to become a professional soccer player, had given up that dream to attend medical school. Apparently, my client's grandfather had insisted it was more important to be realistic than to go for your dreams. My young high school student felt caught in a dilemma. If he materialized his own desire, his dad might feel disappointed in his own inability to achieve his dream. This issue occurs frequently in a family. If we push ahead and prevail, the implication is that a family member could have achieved their goals too. On the other hand, if we don't try, we'll never turn possibilities into probabilities and, perhaps, into our destiny. These types of subtle energy issues turn us into pretzels, deterring focus and progress. The Present The present is the place of power. Whether we ultimately succeed or fail, we can only move forward by steering the ship on a moment-to-moment basis. This way, we can keep heading toward our desirable direction while avoiding the shoals and other obstacles. In other words, the present is the point of choice. The subtle energies that formulate your thoughts, attitudes, and creativity will determine your on-the- spot decisions and overall perseverance. Practices Practices are the series of activities undertaken to support these three pillars. Everything about massage is about 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 . 101 practices. Why not insert tools that will boost your clients' performance desires while inviting bodily relief and healing? Following are the three main subtle energy practices I use to support my clients' performance, adapted for the massage room. I've put them in a logical order, moving from transforming the past to activating a healthy passion to empowering present-day actions. Of course, these steps flow best if a client has shared a goal or desire. Once they've done this, you can plunge in. Practice One: Transforming the Past Let's say a client has shared a goal or dream. As stated, the past holds the reasons a client is committed to a passion and also holds the blocks that might be tripping them up. On the subtle level, both positive and negative emotions, beliefs, and experiences are held in the body. These realities won't show up on an X-ray, but an energy specialist can differentiate between favorable and detrimental subtle energies and work with each appropriately. Negative energies, which are averse to success, are apt to form bodily inflammation and pain. As a massage therapist, you'll sense these areas as heavy, congested, and thick, and pressure will often stir the challenging emotions. For instance, the body part storing the fear of success will result in scared reactions in the client. Same with anger, rage, shame, guilt, and other issues. These clogged regions oppose the fulfillment of a passion. On the other hand, bodily regions can also contain the energies supportive of a fervor. Typically, these bodily areas are pain-free and limber. If lightly pushed or Understanding the basics of energy reveals why adding that extrasensory "zip" during a massage can boost a client's success in the world.