What's Your Goal?

I am in the very fortunate position of keeping company most days with folks who are keen to enhance their well-being. Recently there has been an influx of new clients with the new year so this question has been coming up more frequently. And responses have my interest captured so I've extended it for contemplation on social media.

What is your wellness goal? How does it feel to be asked this? What’s the first thing that comes to mind? Maybe it’s your chronic low back pain which seems to be worse in winter. Or the headaches you wake up to almost every morning. Perhaps you’d like to feel better digestively, have more energy to exercise, or figure out why you’re just. not. sleeping. How long has anxiety been nagging in your chest? When did that knot set up residence in your shoulder? What tightens up when (fill in the blank) is mentioned? 

There seems to be a misconception that massage is only warranted for spa relaxation or acute injury. While both are certainly valid, there is also a sweet spot of bodywork that can be practiced when no emergency is present; where we can focus our attention on the rooted subtleties affecting whole life balance. Every experience we have, whether through trauma or activity, has a lasting impact. The way in which the body responds to sitting at the same desk every day, going through dominant movement in sport or contracting in response to stressors, creates restriction. Over time, the body will change, adapt and build upon these patterns. Often, anchors in the tissues have been formed so long ago that we aren’t even aware of the resulting tensions and our normalized state of being can be drastically out of line with our optimal state of health. This is why we may sense that we’re not well but we can’t quite define it in order to feel better. So when asked, “What is your wellness goal?” we can be lost in articulating an answer. But that’s ok. The good news is that your body knows! Through an approach that feels comfortable and safe, we can invite the body to recalibrate and open to new potential. The quality of life experienced through a spacious and strong vessel is of great value. Once you become familiar with this feeling, anything which doesn’t serve that will naturally fall away. And, voilà! Your health goals will become clear. They may, of course call for interventions beyond massage, but isn’t the right bodywork such a beautiful tool to have in your wellness wheelhouse? Please don’t diminish your need for care simply because you may not be injured in this moment. That actually may be the best time to initiate change.