Massage

I have received as many as a dozen forms of massage during the past 15 years. I credit massage with keeping my body healthy and flexible and my attitudes youthful and forward looking. In addition I have received training in five massage forms and employ them as needed with clients.

My earliest formal massage training was at the Body Electric School in Oakland, California. Of course, I had been trained in various erotic massage techniques in Body Electric workshops both before and after the formal training. The formal training in the traditional “Swedish” massage established my basic massage techniques. This form of massage involves several strokes, often with French names (effleurage, petrassage, etc.) If you are wondering about French names in Swedish massage, the truth is that this form of massage was actually an American invention. At the time it was being developed in California, Sweden was considered to be the wildest, sexually free place on earth and they gave the massage that name to make it attractive. Swedish massage concentrates on long gliding strokes, punctuated by kneading, percussion, vibration, and stretching. If you have received a massage in the US you are likely to have encountered Swedish massage.

After several years of giving and receiving massage I chose Leslie Bruder (see photo above) as a massage therapist. Leslie had originated a unique modality that she called Phenomenal Touch. This massage technique involves working simultaneously on both sides of the body, which is accomplished by using the therapist’s legs, body, and to a limited extent, arms to raise the client up off the table. How this is accomplished without requiring superhuman strength is too complicated to go into here, but it can be done without significant effort and can be maintained with both hands being free to do the massage. Working both sides of the body significantly increases the depth of the massage without causing discomfort to the client. I was amazed and appreciative of what Leslie was able to do and wanted to incorporate it in my own work. I began taking short, day-long training sessions, followed by a week-long training in a remote area of Mexico. The following year, Leslie asked me to be one of her assistants for the Mexico training and I also served as an assistant in the first Institute for Phenomenal Touch Massage, a yearlong training that is now in its fourth year.

Leslie Bruder is also an expert in hot stone massage and blends it with her own techniques. I studied and received hot stone massage during all the time I was studying with Leslie. In this modality smooth basalt stones are heated in water and applied to the body using massage oil to keep them from sticking. The stones may be left in one position, but in Leslie’s method, she uses them as massage tools, moving them over large areas of the body before leaving them in one position when they have cooled to a comfortable temperature. A hot stone massage can be a mystical, other worldly experience that has to be experienced to be appreciated.

In the yearlong Institute for Phenomenal Touch Massage two other modalities were introduced and basic techniques were taught. The Trager Approach, which was invented by Milton Trager in the 1940s, is a called “movement education” by Trager International. The instructor made it very clear that we were NOT being taught the Trager method, just being introduced to certain fundamental ideas. In this modality the therapist senses the natural rhythm of the body or body part by placing her hands on the part and “listening” with the touch. Gradually that natural rhythm is sensed and can be gently amplified by rocking and vibrating the body part. Great sensitivity is required to make sure that one isn’t just inserting one’s own rhythm into the process. In the hands of an expert the Trager work is extremely relaxing and freeing to the body. I took very easily to this approach and could get “in sync” with the body I was touching and begin to move it effortlessly. While I would never pretend that I was a Trager practitioner, I use the basic techniques I learned as a part of my tools.

The second modality that was introduced is Watsu, a water-based massage technique. Watsu is a gentle massage and stretching technique that is performed in a pool of warm water. The receiver is continuously supported while being floated, cradled, rocked and stretched. The deeply relaxing effects of warm water and nurturing support, combine with Watsu's movements, stretches, massage and point work, to create a bodywork with a range of therapeutic benefits and potential healing on many levels. While I enjoyed receiving Watsu and learned the basic techniques, I have never used them since because of the requirements of a large pool of very warm water.

Those are the five forms of massage in which I have received training. In addition I have received many other modalities, including acupressure, lomilomi, myofascial release, shiatsu, and trigger point massage. I will not attempt to describe these modalities, but you can Google them and get more information.

War in Iran?

A headline in my morning newspaper, The Santa Fe New Mexican, reads: "Report: Covert activity in Iran to widen." On all sides I am reading disturbing comments about the plans of our government (read the Bush administration acting unilaterally) to invade Iran before the end of the current administration. Here is what Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert said following his 90-minute meeting at the White House with President Bush on 4 June:

“We reached agreement on the need to take care of the Iranian threat. I left with a lot less question marks [than I had entered with] regarding the means, the timetable restrictions, and American resoluteness to deal with the problem.

“George Bush understands the severity of the Iranian threat and the need to vanquish it, and intends to act on that matter before the end of his term in the White House.”

Forewarned is forearmed. We may be into a war before we know about it and without even a pro forma approval by the congress. Watch out, friends. Let's not let them do it again. We desperately need for the citizenry of this country to stand up to the criminal activities of our government. There is nothing better than an informed citizenry to start making democracy work again. Pass the word along.

Here is a New York Review of Books article on the subject. Click Here.

Herbs, Oils, and Crystals

I regularly take a number of herbal supplements. I’ve used some form of saw palmetto preparation for many years to keep my prostate happy. I take a mixture of slippery elm bark, DGL, and plant enzymes with every meal to aid digestion. Before I started with this supplement I was on the little “purple pill” (Nexium), which has dire long-term side effects. By taking this herbal preparation I have quit the prescription drug entirely. Is there any wonder why the drug companies keep trying to get legislation passed to outlaw all supplements? Their excuse is that the medical benefits of supplements are unproven and they haven’t been checked out for safety. Well, what about the safety of prescription drugs? I appreciate their concern for my health, but I’ll continue to make my own medical decisions as long as I can.

Essential oils are another part of my personal medicine chest. I use tea tree oil (melaleuca alternifolia) as a disinfectant for cuts, scratches and the like. I also take one drop by mouth every minute at the first sign of a sore throat. After about 15 minutes I space it out until the cold symptoms are gone. I’ve been able to avoid many colds this way. It is very important that you get the highest quality oil if you are going to take even a drop or two internally. I will use Young Living or Jurlique oils internally, but prefer to get my essential oils from dealers who work directly with the people who distill them. Essential oils should be distilled using water, not steam or other chemicals. Cheaper oils are distilled with steam or chemicals because they can get more oil out of the plant that way, but with a decrease in the quality.

Another wonderful essential oil is frankincense oil (Boswellia sacra), made from the same resin that is often burned as incense. Frankincense oil relieves muscle spasm and other inflammation problems and it is often used to treat asthma, although I haven’t tried that. Again, you will need to make sure you are getting high quality oil. There is a huge range of quality and you need to know your source.

As for crystals, there is much literature on the healing properties of crystals, but I haven’t found them to be effective for me. I like crystals and own several that I enjoy looking at. Elyn bought me a beautiful double terminated enhydro quartz crystal for my birthday this year. If you look very carefully you can see two tiny air bubbles in separate water capsules. They will move as you rotate the crystal. Fascinating.

Tai Chi

I am a regular student of tai chi, currently learning the so-called short form.

The National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (NCCAM) defines Tai Chi as follows:

Tai chi developed in China in about the 12th century A.D. It started as a martial art, or a practice for fighting or self-defense, usually without weapons. Over time, people began to use tai chi for health purposes as well. Many different styles of tai chi, and variations of each style, developed. The term "tai chi" has been translated in various ways, such as "internal martial art," "supreme ultimate boxing," "boundless fist," and "balance of the opposing forces of nature." While accounts of tai chi's history often differ, the most consistently important figure is a Taoist monk (and semi-legendary figure) in 12th-century China named Chang San-Feng (or Zan Sanfeng). Chang is said to have observed five animals--tiger, dragon, leopard, snake, and crane--and to have concluded that the snake and the crane, through their movements, were the ones most able to overcome strong, unyielding opponents. Chang developed an initial set of exercises that imitated the movements of animals. He also brought flexibility and suppleness in place of strength to the martial arts, as well as some key philosophical concepts.

A person practicing tai chi moves her body in a slow, relaxed, and graceful series of movements. One can practice on one's own or in a group. The movements make up what are called forms (or routines). Some movements are named for animals or birds, such as "White Crane Spreads Its Wings." The simplest style of tai chi uses 13 movements; more complex styles can have dozens.

In tai chi, each movement flows into the next. The entire body is always in motion, with the movements performed gently and at uniform speed. It is considered important to keep the body upright, especially the upper body-many tai chi practitioners use the image of a string that goes from the top of the head into the heavens-and to let the body's weight sink to the soles of the feet.

In addition to movement, two other important elements in tai chi are breathing and meditation In tai chi practice, it is considered important to concentrate; put aside distracting thoughts; and breathe in a deep, relaxed, and focused manner. Practitioners believe that this breathing and meditation have many benefits, such as:

* Massaging the internal organs.
* Aiding the exchange of gases in the lungs.
* Helping the digestive system work better.
* Increasing calmness and awareness.
* Improving balance.


Tai chi seems to have been spared the snide comments of the medical community for the “proposed vital energy” of chi and the opposing yin and yang forces. It would seem to be fertile territory for them to snort at. Perhaps its foreign origin keeps the hounds at bay. Or, more likely, tai chi is not seen as a “healing” modality and no competition for their monopoly on the health care dollar.

I first began learning tai chi around ten years ago, but somehow the practice didn’t work for me and I dropped it. In the past year I’ve been with a wonderful teacher, Steven Jen, here in Santa Fe and seem to be progressing much better. I go to a class once each week and try to practice some in between. The class always begins with warm ups, which consist of focusing the breath on the lower abdomen (dantien), simple movements to increase flexibility, and movements designed to enhance balance. We then continue to the short form itself. I am very close to finishing learning the short form. When I have it learned I can continue to do it when we move away from Santa Fe.

To me, tai chi combines exercise and meditation. Even as I am learning the short form I find every tai chi session gives me feelings of relaxation and well-being.