Self Awareness
The Benefits of Self Awareness & Professional Bodywork & Massage Therapy
By Erin Sonnier
It has been a very transformative few years for all of humanity globally and a lot has changed in the way we operate and even how we ourselves perceive life, one positive aspect that has come out of the global pandemic is the act of slowing down for most.
Since early 2020 we have all had to make some tough transitions, decisions and we have been tested within our very beingness in this life here on Earth. This stress, either positive or negative, adds up and makes for a very interesting environment for our body, mind, and spirits.
Most of us have experienced stress in some form and this has affected our lives in small or large ways.
We may have even had some alterations in our life that have put our immune systems through the wringer and dysregulated our nervous systems.
Personally, through the time off in 2020 and 2021 there was some benefit by way of slowing down and getting more acutely aware of what was going on within the essence of my being, the self that knows peace and healing, the self that is always in balance, returning to its essence which is a place that always yearns for health & wellbeing.
As multidimensional beings we need compassion, care, and awareness each moment of our lives and we need to give this to others in ways that are beneficial for all.
The thing about professional bodywork & Massage therapy, in its many different forms or modalities, is that time and time again I see clients who are better able to tap into their own awareness of self each visit. Sure, it is designed to target the physical body, in particular the muscular system but there is so much more to massage than just the physical aspects, there is also a great emphasis on the energetics of the clients and their participation in their own self-care.
Through each massage therapy session that progresses, clients have stated that they are more and more aware of themselves and how it is they FEEL. I truly believe it is because my intention as a practitioner has always been to hold space for others to feel within the treatment sessions and in this space clients become more empowered through their own healing process.
This is a very specific benefit that results in great outcomes for clients who have an intention to heal and a care plan of massage that works with them. Tapping into the feeling body and even the energetics of the body requires a state of stillness, this state of being can be achieved through deep listening. The focus of my previous blog relating to coherence, similarly, self-awareness is required to reach a state of heart-mind coherence. In summary, self-awareness is the experience of being aware of one’s own self whereas consciousness is being aware of one’s body, environment and lifestyle, this difference is interesting in that when a client is receiving a massage the two merge together to form awareness of a holistic coherent state of being.
Through the holidays may you remember to cultivate this sense of self awareness, utilising the support you need as you navigate your life and any stressors that you may encounter, massage may help you to better cope, and I will be here within Core Naturopathics to assist you should you need some support.
Merry Christmas & Happy New Year!
All the very best in Health & Wellness for a beautiful and abundant 2022!
Erin