opening rituals

[Baby Gurl]

When I begin my massage I like to start with a ritual to get the client to breathe and relax, however repeating the same things multiple times daily is getting to repetitive me for me lol So I was wondering what you do! I thought it would be great thing for all of us to share! I'll start

I begin by rubbing the aromatherapy oil chosen for the session in my hands

I place one hand on their back and the other beneath the face cradle (not too close!!) which lets them inhale the aroma

I then ask them to take a few deep breaths

"as you breathe in let your lungs fill up with air and imagine your back rising towards the ceiling"

"when you exhale let your body relax and sink into the table"

After a few breaths I place both of my hands on their back and tell them that they can return to breathing normally and to use this time to relax

Its amazing how you can tell the difference after only a few breaths! It really helps the client to just let go and relax.

(at the end of massage I also ask them to take a few deep breaths and when they are ready to take their time getting off the table)


so now it's your turn! I'm excited to see what you all have to say!

 

[Faith.Surfer boy.Sammy]

Wow, that sounds like a great way to start the massage.
i don't have a routine like that. Maybe I should start one?

 

[Simply Telisha]

I don't have any routine - I just start working on what needs to be worked on...and when I get a massage I keep thinking that the massage therapist is wasting my massage time if they are doing something like that!

That's just me!

Julie

 

[Kimberly Franks]

If it's a more intense session or a sports massage or something I'll usually skip it, but if the client is looking for some relaxation I'll definately use it. It helps them to just stop for a minute and focus on themselves. It's surprising how wound up some people can be even when lying on the table.

 

[Catprints]

I'm curious to see what everyone has to say, as well!

I palm walk down their back, along the ESG's, using a fair amount of pressure focused through my pisiforms, alternating my hands. When I get to their posterior illiac crest, I do a little light traction and hold it for just a moment, then I slide my hands back up their back, and undrape them.

If someone seems particularly "wound" I will do this twice and maybe hold my hands at the top of their back for just a moment before I undrape them.

 

[dynollis]

I often start sessions with some head holds and some polarity at the head, belly, then feet. It was my basic opening I developed at school.

I used to go through more of a spiel with clients during all of that, until I got it through my head that most folks didn't want to set an intention or hear about "space" being "held" or anything else ;-) Now I'm more able to meet people where they're at.

Working in a spa setting changed everything... I finally started beginning sessions prone, beginning with a hold on the back, transitioning into rocking with forearms, which I bring down the body and off the feet. Then, start on the first leg!

It's gotten more varied since then... the energy opening I started with and the spa opening are still my mainstays, but now with some clients I start with some fascial & energy work on the abdomen, and go where I'm led. On others I jump right in with CTM/myofascial in specific areas, and again go from there.

A lot has gotten so stripped down from what I learned in school, which I have just a tinge of feeling about... sadness is too strong a word. But the new energy work I'm learning has a beautiful opening invocation, replete with tibetan bells ;-)

 

[Miki Takei]

Tibetan Bells - Nice!

 

[Sincerly Me...]

I most often start with compressions over the sheet..this offers a gentle introduction to my touch instead of undraping right away.

 

[Pompal 09.]

Opt - 1 I start with a still touch, both palms on the back. I do some compression through the sheet on the traps, all the way down both sides of the spine. On QL I do some rocking. I hold the hip flexors for a beat or two, compression all the way down the leg. Compression on both feet, then up the other leg and side of the back. When I get to the head I do a full head scratch/scrub -- at least 30 seconds to a minute worth, maybe pulling on the occiput a bit. Then I undrape and start working my chosen area - sometimes a leg, sometimes the back. [This whole sequence is not just to warm them up, but is also assessment. I feel each area of the body and get idea of where I'll be wanting to spend more time.]

Opt - 2 If they have neck problems or I feel I should start on the head/neck first I will start them face up. Sometimes I do an opening intro, sometimes not. When I do, I do some traction on the neck, then go to an arm and do some shaking and pulling, then put my hand under their scapula and slide it (the scapula) down the back while pressing the anterior shoulder down towards the table. Then go to the leg and do some shaking/pulling, then other leg, then other arm. Then I press down on both shoulders from behind and rock a bit from shoulder to shoulder so their neck loosens up. Then I will start work on the neck.

 

[Spenny]

opening sequence

If it's a more intense session or a sports massage or something I'll usually skip it, but if the client is looking for some relaxation I'll definately use it. It helps them to just stop for a minute and focus on themselves. It's surprising how wound up some people can be even when lying on the table.

:iagree:

When I use a opening sequence here is what I do;

Client is prone, I place one hand on their upper back inbetween the scaps and the other on the low back or on the sacrum. I hold this for a little bit, then I move the hand that was on the low back to the crest of the hip furthest away from me and the hand on the upper back to the medial edge of the scap closest to me and give some traction on each hand, and hold for a breath. Then switch hand positions to oppisite sides and repeat. Sometimes I do a bit of rocking. Then I place my hands in the original positions and do some slight rotational traction of the spine back and forth a few times, then hold still for a breath. I then release, and move to the head of the table and cat walk (compression) down the ESp's and end with traction on the illiac crest.
My clients love the traction at the end as most of them complain about low back pain.
I have also used E.O's and breathing previously, but don't have any right now to use.
shivashiva~ I like your option 1! sounds yummy!

 

[Pompal 09.]

I ask the client to take one or two deep breaths as I start putting my hands on them and then start doing some compression along the spine and legs (like most people here) Then I do some light stretches to their hips and legs so that at the beginning of the massage, some of the initial tension is already dispelled. Some clients would automatically start breathing when I put my hands on them and let go of their day.

Personally, I somehow agree with Julie in that a routine which is too long, ie letting someone breath for more than a few breaths, or holding/placing hands for longer than a few moments would feel like waste of my massage time, too. Unless of course, I specifically sought out someone for energy work.

Cheers,
Schnuckess

 

[Mey]

During a typical spa swedish session, I usually start the client prone, ask him/her to take a few slow deep breaths, as they inhale about the 3rd time, I gently allow their back to connect with my hands which are placed above the scapula and at the low back...I rest there for a few breaths, then start gently rocking them, progressing from the back to hips to legs, then I stop at the soles of the feet and rest my hands there for a few breaths - sort of a Reiki move. I then either rock or compress all the way back up the legs and gluts, place my hand at the low back and undrape. Depending on the issues to be worked out, I either then start opposing compressions on either side of the spine, or I jump straight into oil application.

For a Thai session, I almost always start with rocking compressions on the feet, but sometimes I hold my hands over their hara to begin.