Emotional traumas, physical traumas, and serious illnesses leave memories in our bodies and souls that are the cause of a variety of problems in the years following the initial trauma. Many people experience flashbacks, nightmares, fears, inability to trust, recurring illness, high anxiety, and a variety of other discomforts as an aftermath of trauma. Through generations of human experience, we’ve become accustomed to these scars and many of us have come to believe it’s normal to have permanent scars once a trauma has occurred. We’ve forgotten that complete healing means no scars remain.
Bodywork is an excellent way to remove some of the physical scars and all of the energetic and emotional scars that hold us in partial wholeness. If you live with fears, defensiveness, recurring illnesses or accidents, anger, depression, muscle tension, addiction, etc., consider completing your healing process so you can have the gift of a deeply happy and satisfying life.
There are many types of Bodywork available. Some methods require physical touch, some do not. Many Bodyworkers use a variety of methods that include both physical touch and energywork in each session. Most Bodyworkers combine their professional training with their intuition to read the client’s body and understand what’s needed. Some also receive and share spiritual messages during sessions.
It’s important that you feel comfortable with your Bodyworker so don’t talk yourself into working with someone that you don’t feel good about. The best way to choose a Bodyworker is to either ask around for referrals or have a brief phone conversation with the practitioner you’re considering before you schedule an appointment. If you like what you hear or how you feel, schedule one appointment. After the first appointment you’ll know if you want more of what that practitioner offers.
It’s ok to take someone with you for appointments if that will allow you to relax more during the session. Whether or not your companion is in the room during the session, just having someone nearby, who you already know and trust, can be especially helpful if you’ve experienced sexual abuse or if your emotions tend to become unmanageable.
It’s also ok to tell your Bodyworker that you’d like to keep all or some of your clothes on. This may limit the types of bodywork you can receive and that’s ok. The most important thing is that you heal in a way that works for you and if that means your clothing stays on, choose bodywork methods that can be done with clothing on.
Here are some of the more widely available types of Bodywork and how to use them:
Massage – excellent for soothing, healing, and relaxing muscles, for soothing frayed emotions, and for creating a greater sense of personal comfort and safety. Massage is hands-on – it can only be done through physical contact. Some forms of massage can be received while sitting comfortably and with clothing on. Most require that the recipient be laying down, covered by a sheet, with all or most of their clothing removed.
Reiki, Polarity Therapy, Vibrational Healing, Chakra Clearing, Crystal & Gemstone Healing, EMF Balancing – all are excellent for opening the body to new energy patterns, healing unhealthy energy patterns, soothing emotions, and often for healing physical, emotional, and mental illnesses. Some require physical touch, some do not. Most can be done with clothing on and some can be done long distance.
Yoga – excellent for teaching the body and mind to work as allies, increasing muscle strength and flexibility, opening the body to new energy patterns, and healing unhealthy energy patterns. Many Yoga postures clear long-held physical patterns that were adopted to prevent recurrences of trauma. When using Yoga for healing, begin with an experienced teacher who can guide you through the process of gently releasing your physical patterns so muscles and tendons are not traumatized. Yoga is done with clothing on. It can be done alone or in groups and after you’ve learned some postures, it can be done with or without a teacher.
Rolfing – excellent for realigning the body at the skeletal level. This can be very intense work and is extremely effective for people who experience chronic muscle or tendon pain. Rolfing is hands-on, usually requires that at least some clothing be removed, and is done in a series of seven or more sessions.
Keep going until the scars are gone!
Laughing Womyn Ashonosheni 