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A B M P m e m b e r s ea r n F R E E C E h o u r s by rea d i n g t h i s i s s u e ! 71 Keep Massage Your Priority Remember, your primary goal is to give a great massage. Don't get distracted by what to say next. If you don't know what to say, simply be quiet for a while. Silence is a powerful part of speaking. Let the words come naturally as you feel inspired. Speak Quietly Your voice should blend with the ambient atmosphere of the room. Let your voice be heard just above the massage music. By speaking to your client with a quiet, soothing voice, they can stay deeply relaxed while listening. (Remember to face their head so they can hear your voice.) Speak Slowly As your client relaxes, their resting mind moves at a slower pace. Match that pace with your voice. Speak slowly and clearly so they don't have to strain to understand you. Use Nature Imagery Studies show that using nature imagery in visualization enhances the relaxing effects of meditation. 7 Research has shown that "being in nature" has a calming effect and can prove highly impactful for those navigating anxiety issues. When "being in nature" is not possible, researchers say nature-based guided visualizations can be the next best thing. Avoid Using the Word Relax In our experience, telling a client to relax does just the opposite. Many people have a lot of insecurity around their ability to relax; they get nervous they can't do it. Rather than telling someone to relax, think of the feelings that relaxing this muscle brings. Describe the sensation to your client. By describing how the relaxed muscle feels, you are giving them clear instruction on how to let go. Use All the Senses The more vivid the imagery and the more senses it includes, the more effective the visualization. Whether a person actually experiences a sensation or just imagines they are, the same portions of the brain are activated. ADDING COLOR AND CONNECTION TO YOUR MASSAGE PRACTICE Visualization meditation is a valuable element to add to your massage. Visualization transforms each massage into a unique, rich, and vibrant experience. You add color, connections, thought, and a story to each session. When your client is immersed in a soundscape of vivid imagery, they are treated to a memorable experience that lives in their minds long after the massage is over. Notes 1. Tainya C. Clarke et al., "Use of Yoga, Meditation, and Chiropractors Among US Adults Aged 18 and Over," NCHS Data Brief, no. 325 (November 2018), www.cdc.gov/nchs/data/databriefs/db325-h.pdf. 2. David Masci and Conrad Hackett, "Meditation Is Common Across Many Religious Groups in the US," Pew Research Center (January 2018), http://pewrsr.ch/2lHc0HC. 3. "Global Meditation Market—Industry Trends and Forecast to 2030," Data Bridge Market Research (September 2023), www.databridgemarketresearch.com/reports/global- meditation-market. 4. Holger Cramer et al., "Prevalence, Patterns, and Predictors of Meditation Use Among US Adults: A Nationally Representative Survey," Scientifi c Reports 6, 36760 (2016), https://doi.org/10.1038/ srep36760. 5. Christopher Taibbi, "Brain Basics, Part One: The Power of Visualization," Psychology Today, November 4, 2012, www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/gifted-ed-guru/201211/ brain-basics-part-one-the-power-visualization. 6. Jeremy Richter, Jenelle Gilbert, and Mark Baldis, "Maximizing Strength Training Performance Using Mental Imagery," Strength and Conditioning Journal 34, no. 5 (October 2012): 65–9, https://doi.org/10.1519/SSC.0b013e3182668c3d. 7. Jessica Nguyen and Eric Brymer, "Nature-Based Guided Imagery as an Intervention for State Anxiety," Frontiers in Psychology (October 2018), https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2018.01858. Erik and Faye Krippner have been practicing massage together for over 20 years. They founded the NatureBody Connection, an online wellness program and book series to expand the reach of massage through guided visualization and self-care. Find out how to use visualization in your practice and listen to a NatureBody meditation at naturebodyconnection.com/lmt. MORE GUIDED VISUALIZATIONS www.youtube.com/watch?v=VWvh_NGg6k0 www.youtube.com/watch?v=daioE3o07hg