The Therapy Series: intro

It's been a while since I have written, and I wish to tell you why.

As I reflect on this past year I notice a mixture of emotions rising. I can feel my fingers and forehead buzz, my jaw tightens, my shoulder blades ache. I can feel my thoughts contracting, circling in my belly, making my gut feel knotted.

As I feel these physical manifestations, I breathe one deep breath: into my belly, up to my ribs, all the way to my collar bone. I hold it, just for a moment. I release it as slowly as I can, feeling my shoulders soften, my cheeks and eyes smoothing, my jaw releasing. I feel my spine and feet rooting into the earth. I can feel my belly giving way, letting go.

I imagine I am slowly, and patiently, loosening a knot in a rope.

This year has brought joy and grief, challenge and relief, and so many sweet memories. I haven't felt so much anxiety, and I also haven't felt so much ease. A year of deep personal work, learning who I am more and more every day, deepening my mindfulness practice, slowing down, leaving my "shoulds" at the door...

I want to reconnect with this work and with you all, and one of the ways I wish to do that is by giving you deeper insights into my bodywork practice.

I am an Asian Bodywork massage therapist. My practice is based in the theory of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). I bring this theory to my work as I see it gives me holistic perspective of the body. Whenever I work with new people, I am always trying to figure out how to meet them where they are. I am looking for disharmony, and try to harmonize. I wish for you to re-connect with your body, mind and spirit.

Sometimes this means it gets worse before it gets better. Or in other words, sometimes re-connecting can be painful. We are taught to forget about our bodies. Our nervous systems have been on over-drive for so long. We forget to take deep breaths. We soldier on. We fight, we flight, we freeze.

Amma Therapy, Shiatsu massage, Tuina...these modalities are incredible influences on our parasympathetic nervous system. I want to go more in depth on each modality I practice, and also give you some insight into the adjunct therapies I offer: cupping, moxibustion, gua sha, and point therapy.

Over the next few months I will dive deep into each modality and encourage you to ask whatever questions you may have! These modalities are ancient and wise. They are not mine. I am a student of their wisdom. I hope to pass this knowledge so you can reconnect in whatever ways necessary.

Thank you for trusting me to hold a container. I adore you.

Erica