Moving energy

As a biodynamic massage therapist, I interact with my client's energy. For me, this is an almost entirely intuitive process -- I make contact, and immediately there's a sense in me which kind of says "What's needed?" or "What does this body want?". It's not as cognitive as that though: images or impressions may come to mind, and things that happen may seem to make sense at some level, but mostly my hands just get on with it.

That's not to say I'm not involved. I am! It's very absorbing -- sessions just flow very naturally. For it to be otherwise would seem wrong to me - unnatural.

I remember a conversation with chi kung teacher Chris Chappell in which he was reminiscing about his own experiences of doing massage. He described becoming frustrated that his clients weren't moving their energy for themselves. This comment struck me very much and has since occupied my thoughts from time to time. Several things arise from it:

People do change as a result of regular biodynamic massage sessions -- i.e. they do start to move their own energy. This happens very spontaneously, and sometimes surprisingly: "My gosh, I actually told my boss that I couldn't do what he asked me to do!" ... or those clients who find themselves starting to relax more, doing more of what they want to do, or putting up a punch bag in order to get in touch with pent-up anger and aggression. People also become more aware of their bodies and of their natural inclinations -- rather than just of their ego-driven thoughts.

From another standpoint, there's also the argument that we actually can't move our own energy. We more allow it to move -- or maybe even it moves us!

In chi kung, small movements create the biggest energy movement. It doesn't take a huge amount to create a big shift. The way that small movement is made -- with what degree and nature of focus, awareness, intent -- is however all important. Chris's chi kung teaching happens within a space which fosters this kind of attitude; other chi kung classes I've been to don't. Similarly, other experiences of biodynamic massage that I've had don't.

In my earlier blog, I talked about meeting the client. This seems to be a linking factor through all of these points. A key result of feeling met is that I feel free to be most myself. My awareness is not engaged in resisting anything, so I can just be as I am. As Jean Klein is quoted as saying, "In your absence is your presence" -- in moments of feeling met, the struggle to hold my position as someone who is in opposition to other people, or to life, disappears. You could almost say that I disappear -- and life just happens. Energy flows. And, ironically, I then truly come to meet myself in a very real and authentic sense.

In any case, can I really move my client's energy? It's an interesting question! Perhaps all I do is interact with the client in a way which they feel met and get an experience in which their energy is allowed to flow. In order to do this I have to both get out of the way as much as possible for them, but also be entirely present within myself. It's a curious balance, but a most enjoyable one!