Issue link: https://www.massageandbodyworkdigital.com/i/588318
Work with a colleague to begin developing your awareness. Use nonleading questions such as: "What are you aware of right now?" "What are you noticing as I …?" "How would you describe what your leg feels like?" Poor choices would be questions like: "How does that make you feel?" "How do we make this pain go away?" "Do you think your anger is keeping your shoulder from healing?" All of these are leading, assumptive, and completely out of your scope. They're also, I would argue, unhelpful in any case. Asking nonjudgmental, nonleading questions about sensation helps us not assume. Try This Even if you think you have an idea, or a clear "knowing" of what a pattern is about, it's your projection; the information is coming through your mind and body. You can't know if it's accurate or helpful, and it's not your business to say. Doing so would be out of your scope of practice. Pay attention to yourself. Are you grounded and neutral? What's your breath like? Can you feel your feet and the back of your body? How are you gathering information? Do you use your eyes and ears? What do your hands tell you? Your gut? Your feet and legs? We each track in ways that are unique to us. Build your sense library. Learn what tissue feels like when your client is connected and engaged; even if there's tension, it's a working tension. Discover what tissue feels like when your client is not connected, has checked out, or is uncomfortable. If it's difficult to discern what your body's signaling to you, read Full Body Presence (New World Library, 2010) by Suzanne Scurlock-Durana. You may also wish to work with a mentor who can guide you.