Yes it is true that we are faced with a challenging economy to say the least. Many people are losing their jobs. As a self employed massage therapist, you are priveledged to have skill and tools that are now neeeded more than ever. Awhile ago I watched a PBS special called ‘Stress Kills’ that talked about the research of Robert Sapolsky who studies stress in animals.
With the economy falling down around us the best thing you can do for yourself is to get regular massage to help keep you relaxed and centered in all of your actions. Reacting to such goings on won’t make anything better. Accepting what is and taking the steps you need to take can help you to stay out of the stress response and act more effectively.
I only caught the last half of the show but one of the most interesting parts is where he talks about a tribe of Baboons that he has studied for 30 years. About 20 years ago they started eating out of the garbage at a resort of some sorts and contracted tuberculosis. The interesting thing is that the Baboons who survived were the ones who were LESS AGGRESSIVE, more socially involved and who were groomed more often!
While massage isn’t grooming like the baboons engage in - getting regular massage is similar in that it is providing the soothing touch that our bodies need to let go of the stress that is internalized all day at the office or wherever you go.
Massage can be the refuge for the world for people to help them get through their many challenges. While people may be short of funds, there are many who also value themselves enough to keep getting massage through these stressful times. To me massage is more than just getting rid of people’s pain or injuries. It helps people to feel themselves more fully and remain present which is the one thing that will also help people go on to find/create new jobs and get through this.
It is a time for us to all come together to start helping each other. It is a time to start becoming creative with your massage business and finding ways to help people who are being impacted by their economic and job choices while not sacrificing your own needs. It is hard not to listen to all the news, but I try not to listen too much so I can just stay focused on what it is that I want and what I am doing to help massage therapists and clients in dealing with the challenging economy.
A friend of mine teaches massage classes at a low cost to hispanic women so that they can bring massage to their families. The history of massage is full of stories of how touch was used in community and in the family. We have gotten so far away from touch at that level but maybe it’s time to get back to the tradition of using massage in family settings. Boys were taught massage at an early age so they could massage their wives in some early cultures. The Blind Japanese massage therapists went out into the streets calling “Anma” out and going into people’s homes to provide massage. I have one massage therapist who wrote an article on my website about starting a church massage group.
What ideas do you have for creating community and promoting massage? How can we use our skilled touch to bring people together? It is almost like this troubled time is just for us to shine and share what we know and support the healing process that is only just beginning.