Issue link: https://www.massageandbodyworkdigital.com/i/1481961
L i s te n to T h e A B M P Po d c a s t a t a b m p.co m /p o d c a s t s o r w h e reve r yo u a cce s s yo u r favo r i te p o d c a s t s 53 Deepening Your Foot Awareness You don't need to do every one of these steps, and you don't have to do them in this exact order. But together they offer an abundance of possibilities. • At the beginning of each session (and then throughout each session), start by paying attention to yourself before you pay attention to your client. • Notice your feet making contact with the floor. Wiggle your toes a bit. Rock slightly back and forth, shifting your body weight between the heels and the toes. Rock slightly side to side, shifting your body weight from the inside to the outside edges of your feet. • Notice your breath. Notice your thoughts. Each time you are distracted or find yourself thinking about something else, notice that thought or feeling—don't try to deny it or push it away or judge yourself for having it—and then focus on your next exhalation. • As you become more aware of your breath, focus on slowing your exhale and following it all the way down to empty. Allow the inhale to emerge by itself, from your diaphragm, when, and only when, your body needs it. • Bend your knees slightly. Feel your upper body long and loose, and your lower body rooted and relaxed. • Make contact with your client without doing anything. Just introduce your touch and slowly lean your body weight into the client. • Create each contact from your lower body: pointing your feet in the direction you want the stroke to go, then tipping your hips forward, and pouring your body weight into the client. • Each time you want to change the direction of your contact, start by shifting the position of your feet. • Notice what it feels like to use your upper body less and your lower body more. • Practice observing the direction and position of your feet, notice when your feet and lower body get stuck in one position, then try shifting the feet little by little. • Remember that with every session, every stroke, every exhale, you have the chance to grow your awareness and create new habits.