Frequently, a client confesses to me that they have a chronic pain in their body or a chronic pain-in-their-proverbial-behind that just doesn't ever fully go away. Mysterious low back pain that seems like it has been going on for years is one example. Another might be noticing a strange pattern of falling down when angry with their spouse. Sometimes, the client doesn't "confess" the pain to me but I notice it as a pattern in their soft tissue as I massage them. Occasionally I notice it in the fabric of their life story as they share their history and outlook with me. Either way, it is like a pucker in middle of the blankets on an otherwise well-made bed. You just HAVE to smooth it out or as we used to say back home “That ain’t right!”
To facilitate a change around this problem, I often guide the client through a visualization process as I am massaging them. What we want is a (r)evolutionary experience that lifts the pain (physical or not) out of the body; out of the "programming" that is sometimes confused with our consciousness; out of the old script (or "tapes") we so often fall back on when in trouble or when not fully present in the moment. The visualization process almost always include objects and themes that engage as many senses (through imaginary interaction) as possible to create a total body-mind experience.
What can a client expect during this type of guided exercise? The process takes place while you have your eyes closed and are being gently and therapeutically massaged (e.g., imagine having your shoulders rubbed while your eyes are closed while something relaxing is playing in the background). You are verbally instructed to envision certain colors, food options (you can pick things YOU like to eat in your visualization), guided imaginary actions including walking, using your imaginary hands and eyes to perform focused sorting, arranging and interaction with symbolic objects. At the end, you gain closure by completing an imaginary process with a certain food or object.
An example of this closure might sound like the paragraph below. Remember you are entering the visualization process at the end, so things might seem strange at first, but try to put yourself in the picture so you can get an idea of what to expect. This particular example has been used for people needing to let go of something that’s been weighing on their heart for too long, causing stagnation of energy resulting in physical pain, and emotional avoidance and deep unexpressed grief resulting in some thinly veiled anger and resentment issues. The green apple represents what needs letting go. We don’t exchange dialogue about your “story” as you might in a psychologist’s office. I listen as I do my massage work then if appropriate, I transform the story you share into symbolism and color and walk you through a guided meditation designed to facilitate an internal (r)evolution that can free your body (releasing cellular memory of the trauma) so your heart can sing and your mind can dance (emotional clarity and mental acuity hopefully restored).
"Now, pick up the juicy, tart, green apple that you tasted earlier and hold it firmly in your dominant hand. Do an about-face, walking confidently away from your gorgeous, luscious, delicious arrangement and see yourself standing outside in a very large field with unobstructed views all around you. Golden, yellow and brown grasses blend with a multitude of greens blanketing the earth in a warm, glowing embrace. Various colors of wildflowers dot the ground in purple, red, indigo, and orange. Standing still in this beautiful scene, take another very small bite of the apple, feeling it between your teeth and on your tongue. Take in the smell of it and remember how cool it feels in your hand. Appreciate the shade of green nature has given it, turning it over in your hand to look at it more closely. Taste the sweetness and the tartness as you chew and chew. Now. Swallow the bite of apple and stand very still, knowing full well--in gratitude and clarity--that you have taken in what the apple came to give you. Crouch slightly in readiness and when you are ready--listen before acting in your mind--throw the apple straight into the air (straight up into the bright blue sky) as hard and high as you can and then WALK AWAY. Don't look up once the apple leaves your hand. Don't look back and don't break your stride. Keep walking, not evening listening for the apple to fall. Walk briskly and with a lightness that reflects the unburdening you have just experienced. As your steps carry you forward in your vision, begin to breathe deeply and slowly here on the table, relaxing your hands, knees, shoulders and neck. Slowly and gently, come back into this room in your mind and start to notice your sensations and feelings here on the table. Keep breathing deeply and slowly, with rhythm and clarity. Wiggle your fingers and toes and then relax a little deeper. Keep your eyes closed.”
The massage continues from there in silence for a while to allow for internal reflection and contemplation before moving on to whatever is called for next in the treatment process.
Again, the above example is of a guided visualization **closure** and is just a snippet presented here for you to get an idea about how I can teach you to use color and visualization in your life to bring about good things for YOU! You may come in feeling fragmented and needing a massage for your body but you can leave with the massage AND a feeling of greater wholeness and maybe even a little bit more of your Self!
No comments:
Post a Comment