How many of you are worn out? How many of you have looked back upon these past two and a half years of COVID 19 related chaos, bush fire havoc, climate change crisis, political upheaval worldwide, family stressors and a whole host of other stressors that have made you unable to focus on yourselves as much as you’ve wanted to?

Perhaps you’ve witnessed family being unwell or even being unwell yourself? Job changes, death, birth, a new way of living or maybe you were forced to reckon with all of these things in a very short time. . .

You are not alone. I am with your in your experience. I feel you and I see you!

The whole world has gone through many changes of late and it seems this is the inevitable. I truly believe going with the tide of these changes in life is the best option. Going with the flow and not trying to control or hold on too tightly. Seizing the day by waking up renewed even when you’ve only gotten a few hours of good sleep, but also being in tuned that you are DESERVING of a better sleep! You also are deserving of good care for yourself and nurturing practices which include sometimes booking time for yourself for stillness, recovery, or maybe even a daily walk in nature. Making time for wellness in your routine, if that’s your priority and your goal, should be at the top of your list before you get to a point of exhaustion. You are deserving of this dear one!

Being a human on this planet at this moment is not easy. Its a sort of mind blowing experience and I feel this is why getting out of the mind and going into the spaces of ourselves that are quiet and still is a good thing. However you can manage to get to this point of quiet and stillness within yourself is a good practice for you. Whether that’s breathwork, mindfulness meditation, Martial Arts, Massage, Yoga or even just going to a therapy session with your psychologist. Let’s face it, we all have so much collective trauma to deal with its probably not a bad idea. On the other hand, having an ice-cream with your child could also be as comforting as a therapy session. 🙂

As a caregiver of any kind, a householder, parent, physician, therapist, nurse, teacher, etc.-you give ALL of yourself each day and often forget, or don’t actually have space to fill up yourself with that same energy and nurturing you give to others. To be and to feel nourished is the most important thing in life, especially for caregivers. WHY? Because we give so much of ourselves and it is vital to give that energy, love and attention back to ourselves so we can then give from a fullness and a peaceful and well body, mind and soul.

Massage and Bodywork therapy has many benefits, there is no mistake about this but the one thing massage and bodywork therapy does for humanity which many different practices fail to do is reconnect our whole beings with the sacred practice of being literally ‘in touch’ with our own beings. Doing meditation and being mindful are indeed powerful practices which are similar to receiving massage. However, massage has the ability to access a state of parasympathetic relaxation which calls back the body to a grounded state so as to help a person remember each aspect of the body which has become neglected, abandoned and malnourished physically and energetically. All the while by being in connection with another trusted practitioner. The relationship between these two energies flowing back and forth has a lot of healing power and can often be more transformative than doing practices on your own. This is because there is a trust, safety and support involved here. To trust oneself is one thing, but to trust another is a very powerful and courageous act because it involves being vulnerable.

As a therapist of over 21 years I take this trust very seriously and I am honored to serve so many amazing and courageous clients each day. I have gratitude for what I do to help others, especially caregivers and those without a voice , to give voice to all aspects of the self. This is the work of my life and I am happy to support you and deeply privileged to do so.

I must add: It often takes a team of support to holistically address a persons whole being. A lot of times as a massage therapist I often refer out my clients to other practitioners. Especially when what they truly need is beyond my scope of practice. Whether its an emotional, spiritual, physical or other need for healing, I always remember that a human being is complex and requires a keen listening deeply, intuitively and also physically and clinically. When it comes to caregivers wellness goals they maybe somewhat different than someone who doesn’t necessarily have the role in this lifetime to give so much of themselves in that way. This is why, I believe massage and bodywork has so much to offer these specific roles. Massage and bodywork therapy is a holistic practice, one that embraces the connection between all aspects of the persons wellbeing. Body, mind and soul.

May you be well

May you be happy

May you be free

Warmly,

Erin