I’ve been receiving massage for years. I started in high school. I had neck pain and headaches from reading too many books in awkward positions.
Right after massage school, I worked as a trainer in one of the franchises so I received a lot of massage there. I worked at my massage school and I was often the receiver of student massages. I would critique and guide based on feedback.
Early in my career, someone me offered a 3 hour massage. I remember leaving that session dazed and blissed out. I went to out to lunch and ate on the patio soaking up a beautiful summer day. I felt the oil on my skin and the slowness of my thoughts. That is the longest massage I’ve ever received. And it was memorable.
Recently, Vanessa gave me a massage. I’ve been having an autoimmune flare and desperately need to regulate my nervous system so that I can begin to feel what relaxed is like again. Later that day, I found myself in my car with a sleeping baby. Which means I was stuck in the car for awhile.
I browsed my phone for a bit. Then sat there. And just noticed what I felt. I felt sleepy–blissfully sleepy. But not groggy tired. I was very much reminded of the warm sun on my oiled skin. I don’t eat pasta anymore but a delicious coffee sounded appropriate. It was the first time in a week or two that my body felt at ease. It felt ok to be in my skin.
That’s what massage creates: Bliss. Peace. Quiet enough to notice.
Noticing is valuable. You have access to what you need when you can be quiet enough to notice. 
