When receiving massage and bodywork, many people specific things that they wish to address. Whether it’s stress, anxiety, muscular tension or pain, the common desire is for these discomforts to dissipate. However, I have come to realize that our bodies often carry important messages that can be discovered if we take the time to slow down and listen. These messages may not immediately reveal themselves, but if we really slow down and have the presence of a compassionate listener, there can be some profound wisdom that can come through.
The process begins by tuning into the sensations and emotions in the present moment and sensing the “felt sense” with curiosity and presence, as if experiencing it for the very first time. Sometimes, the sensation may intensify, while other times it may subside or become overshadowed by distractions. Yet, with patience, deeper insights may emerge, revealing needs that may have gone unnoticed. Examples of messages your body might convey include: “I’m feeling overwhelmed,” “something is feeling stuck,” or “I need more space in my life.”
If you can welcome these sensations the way you would make space for a friend who arrives unannounced at your doorstep, there can be surprising insights underneath. Having a compassionate companion, someone who listens and remains present, significantly eases this process compared to facing it alone. When you genuinely convey to the “felt sense” that you truly sense and acknowledge its presence, you might find that the sensation begins to quiet down.
I believe that our bodies communicate meaningful messages, and if we fail to pause, listen, and merely attempt to massage away the sensations, we risk missing out on significant insights. By embracing the wisdom within and adopting an open mind, we can unlock a deeper understanding of ourselves and experience the transformative power of bodywork and coaching.
I’m laying on the massage table…
I’m relaxing…
I’m breathing…
I’m letting the weight of my body sink into the support under me…
I’m feeling a painful place in my body…
I’m experiencing the sensation as it is…
I’m saying hello to it…
I’m letting it be as it is…
I’m inviting this place to speak to me from it’s own perspective…
I’m thanking it for sharing with me…
I’m invite it to let me know if there is something more…
I’m noticing it is relaxing on its own…
I’m lovingly inviting it to let go, relax, soften…
I’m breathing into that place…
I’m noticing that place feels different now…
I’m grateful for my body…
I’m resting…
I’m breathing…
I’m thinking about something…
I’m saying hello to that part that is thinking about something…
I’m noticing the thinking stops when I say hello…
I’m breathing…
I’m letting go…
and often the sensation goes away on it’s own!
It can be difficult to have this much awareness on your own, and that’s where a mindful practitioner can help with some active listening and “focusing” dialogue work. Your practitioner can support you in staying present and really listening with compassion, with gentle touch, helping you to “stay with” and witness your inner experience instead of pushing it away or going for an emotional roller coaster ride with it. If you would like some support with mindfulness, I would be happy to be a companion to help you to focus in and really listen to the messages that your body might be telling you. And hopefully when your body has a message for you five days later when you are walking down the street, you can listen with compassion, instead of just telling it to go away.
I am grateful for the invaluable knowledge and training I have gained through my studies in Hakomi Mindful Somatic Psychotherapy and Inner Relationship Focusing. These practices have played a pivotal role in sharpening my listening skills and deepening my ability to truly connect with others.
