Relaxing Properly

Relaxing…. Now there is a misunderstood concept. Ask most people how they relax and they say, "Well I watch the telly" or "I have a glass of wine" or "I have a bath" or most commonly, "Erm, I don’t really know!" Are you actually relaxed when you are
watching TV or having a glass of wine? Take a look at your self next time. Have you taken the time to sit in a supported position so your postural muscles can rest? Are you breathing deeply? Is your mind switched off? Are your shoulders coming away
from your ears, or are you really tense, engaged in the drama, traumatised by actions of your favourite soap stars latest feud? Relaxation is often treated as an annexed pursuit between bath and bed, or for 5 minutes at the end of a yoga class.

This is so damaging. We should all aim to be as relaxed as possible, all the time. This will allow our movements to flow, our posture to optimise and our muscles to function at their optimum. Relaxation is a skill which has to be learnt and practiced to truly master but once learned, can be called on atany time and is one of the most valuable life skills you will ever learn.
As a massage therapist you should be fully relaxed throughout each treatment. Only using the muscles necessary for the technique you are carrying out.
If you are straining and tense you will be using tension, not strength, to carry out moves and this will lead to strains and fatigue. If you are tense you will be prone
to postural imbalances and all the compensatory nightmares that can be caused as a result. You know, the ones we warn our clients about.

The more relaxed you are the more accurate your palpatory perception will be, so allowing your treatments to be really effective. The more you relax, the more tuned into your client you become. You can focus on having a "listening intent" from your fingers, and begin to work really intuitively.. If you are relaxed this will be conveyed to your client as an air of confidence.. Trust will be formed between you. Your client will feel in good hands.
It is important to take time to relax between clients, breathe deeply, stretch your shoulders, arms and wrists. Feel your feet on the floor and shake your arms and hands to let go of the residual tension from your client. Schedule time for this in your diary rather than booking people back to back. Also don’t forget to book time for you to receive massage yourself.