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Re: Shoulders & Spinal Twist and Summary 2

I was surprised how easily I picked up the transition technique behind the head as it looked alot harder!  For some time I focused on some arm/handwork from previous lessons and kept cycling round with the overhead arm stretches and elephant walking on the ribs in between to get used to it.  This formed a nice mini session in itself in which I got into a nice rhythm working in a circle.  My client enjoyed the continuity and was able to really let go as he knew what was coming next.  The upper body twist and alternately circling the shoulders I am familiar with so focused on the lower body twist.  I struggled a little due to the size of my client but understand its dynamics with view to working with it on a lighter bodytype.  Watching the summary was very inspiring and a useful recap.  The Thymus tapping was very interesting-is this an EFT technique or something which also has its roots in Yoga?  I really liked the feel of it on myself and would love to know more!  The Quantum Touch technique was really good to use a tool for grounding and preparing to work on the client.  I work with Reiki/Pranic healing and look forward to using this method.  My hands grew quite warm when experimenting with it-is it similar to Reiki?

PART 3

Re: Prone Legs 1

PART 3

PRONE LEGS 1

This was an enjoyable mini session in itself and an effective sequence.   I was able to carry out the first technique quite easily using elbows and forearms.  There is something very satisfying about leaning into a body part as it creates a rhythm in my own movement which really connects me to the practice.  My client really enjoyed having the soles of his feet worked on so I stayed here for some time before moving on.  I usually administer foot massage with the client seated but I think I can now do a whole routine on the feet lying down with what I have learnt so far with you and combined with other techniques.  The following traction/compression and rocking worked very well as I am now quite confident with these having learnt them earlier on the supine modules and the Rocking course.  The calf muscle tendon technique was quite straightforward and I added a bit of work on the calf itself as I continued up from the back of the ankle onto the belly of the calf.  This lead on nicely to elephant walking along the back of the legs which I could do all day.  I love the dynamics of the movement and pressure.  I worked from the calves all the way onto the buttocks.  The calves and hamstrings were quite tight from gym work so I stayed longer on these areas-is this ok to do or is it better to work evenly along the whole leg?

Re: Sacrum & Glutes

Many of the techniques in this section I think I covered in the Rocking Massage course but of course it was great to refresh on a different type of body.  The percussion work was fun and energising and it was good to hack and chop from each side.  My sister enjoyed the sacrum and glute work very much as she is a keen horse riding enthusiast and rarely has any body work done.  The effects were so immediate and releasing that she is now going to have regular back treatments.  She commented that the feeling in her body felt quite unfamiliar which made her realise how much tension she had been holding in the area.  I did some short meditation work to explore this sensation so that she fully registered it and connected with it more.  This got me thinking about combining meditation/visualisation with repetitive moves-is this something that you do or know of?

Re: Prone Back 1

I have been really looking forward to this part of the course as most of my existing massage work is based on the backs of Yoga students to limber up their spines.  My sister is quite small framed and bony so I was able to give an effortless and fluid sequence on the back.  Using the heels of my hands was a welcoming technique as I am prone to inflamation in my fingers.  I will now never use a massage couch again as working in this way allows me to be much more effective in terms of being able to apply a firmer, even pressure while also opening up the number of techniques that can be applied.  I may also experiment with applying hot oils/stones and then working as above through a thin towel.  I will be using these techniques ALOT and look forward to the next few back sessions : )

Re: Prone Back 3

Ok, I'm on a roll! Great to elephant walk and Butterfly up the back-some of my favorite techniques and I could do them forever.  Interesting how a slight change of angle can be really effective when working up the back.  The 'simulated massage bed' was really useful and a clever way to adapt things on the floor.  The trapezius/neck massage completed and rounded off the session really well-I have never used these techniques simultaneously but I tell you my client was in heaven!  I found the order of grosser moves with the whole hands and forearms followed by more localised thumb/finger work very effective in terms of warm up/preparation.  Could one lean into fists on the back or do you think this is too strong?

Re: Prone Upper Back & Summary

Very excited to learn Cobra : )  I have been waiting a long time to learn this one!  Three variations too.  It was good to apply them in succession.  I look forward to learning similar dynamic stretches like Bridge in '7 ways to move the spine'.  Would you ever consider writing a module just on Yoga stretches?  I'l buy it now!  I have seen therapists work on the lower back while the client holds the therapists ankles in Child's Pose.  Working deeply on the shoulders and trapezius was the icing on the cake after working in a more generalised way on the back.  I really enjoyed method 6. where one pulls back the shoulder while holding down the side of the upper back.  I was careful to be firm here so as not to let the position turn into a twist.  My client found this technique especially effective.  The summary was beautiful as ever showing a real depth and flow that really illustrates the art.  It made me put pen to paper and think about 'designing'.  I now feel I have a wealth of knowledge to draw from and can be very specific in terms of putting a sequence together for various needs.  I'm very much looking forward to part 3 but now I have the back covered I feel in a confident place.  I love the way you snook in the extra 'bum push technique in the summary!  You really have to keep your eyes peeled so you don't miss anything!