Congratulations! carved out the time in your busy schedule to come in and receive bodywork and healing. You are on the table feeling totally relaxed and renewed and you can tell that the session is about to end and you think “Oh no! It’s almost over! How do I keep these good feelings with me?”
Have you ever wondered if there’s something you could do to make your bodywork session more effective or longer-lasting? Here are some ideas to enhance your experience and even extend the effects:
Before your session:
- Hydrate: Drink extra water during the day before your massage. Avoid drinking right before your session to prevent interruptions.
- Reflect: Take a moment to reflect on your intention for the bodywork session.
- Arrive early – Give yourself ample time to park, use the restroom, and settle in before your appointment.
During your session:
- Breathe: Focus on your breath to distract your mind from anything you’re thinking about. Deep breaths in through the nose and out slowly through the mouth help soothe the nervous system. And when you imagine your breath flowing to the area that is being worked, that helps to increase blood flow to the area being worked.
- Meditate or pray: If you are connected with a spiritual practice or a divine spirit, invite their presence to support you on your healing journey. For some people, that is simply the presence of divine love. For others, it’s their higher self, or animal spirit or God. You’re welcome to pray out loud, but whispering or imagining setting up an altar that invites your helping spirits in is also helpful.
- Communicate: While I have twenty three years of experience using my listening touch, I’m not totally psychic. Please let me know if you need adjustments in pressure—lighten up or go deeper. You can use the “traffic light pressure feedback system” so that you can ask me to adjust my pressure without needing to talk too much:
Green = I’d like deeper pressure (step on the gas).
Yellow = I feel comfortable, it’s just right (like Goldilocks).
Orange = Tender, but it feels useful and I can still breathe into it.
Orange-Red = Really tender, and starting to feel like too much pressure.
Red = Ouch! Please lighten up that is too painful.
Comfort: If you need assistance, please ask for help with any of the following:
- Adjusting the face cradle
- Placing a pillow under your knees, head, or ankles
- Adding or removing blankets
- Adjusting room temperature or the biomat table heat
After your session:
- Drink plenty of fluids to aid in the healing process.
- Journal and reflect on what you learned about yourself.
- Create an action plan – if there was a message you received from your inner self about a change or action that is needed for yourself, create a plan to take action. Ask a friend or a coach to help you stay accountable to your goal.
- Schedule a follow-up visit: Consistent bodywork sessions lead to better results.
- Allow yourself to rest after your session. You might feel tired as your body adjusts to the work done, so avoid rushing off to the gym.
- Consider scheduling an infrared salt sauna session after your bodywork. It’s a great way to continue your healing and detoxification, conveniently located across the hall at the Mandala Underground in South Boulder.
- Engage in gentle movement, stretching, or walking. If you experience soreness, gently move to stimulate lymphatic circulation. Activities like walking, swimming, or practicing qi gong can be helpful. Avoid overexertion.
- Take a bath: If you’re feeling sore or experiencing detox reactions like a headache or nausea or body aches, try a hot Epsom salt and soda bath. Use approximately 2 parts Epsom salt to 1 part baking soda (about 1/2 cup for every 50 pounds of body weight) and add essential oils for a soothing experience.
What do you do to extend the effects of your bodyworks sessions? I’d love to hear from you! I hope you find this helpful. I want you to get the most out of your sessions!
