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We are presently enjoying
a renaissance in the art of touch in this country. Esalen massage
practitioners have contributed considerably to the reinstatement of
this delicate means of interfacing between human beings, in a flowing
style that is a marriage between classical Swedish massage, with its
precise manner of working with muscles and circulatory system, and the
deeply personal sensing work brought from Germany by Charlotte Selver.
We offer our clients what we have individually and collectively
discovered and refined in our concentrated hands-on work in a variety
of approaches over the past 30 years. Styles which may appear simple
to the on looker have many levels of conceptual understanding
interwoven with tactile sensitivity, elegant awareness and heartfelt
communication. At times we find ourselves spontaneously touching
levels of the emotional body and even spirit.
Our work began to ripen in the early
1960's. It was remarkably enhanced by the dynamic environmental
elements unique to this small coastal experimental community.
Gradually, individual styles began to expand and cross-pollinate, then
become concise concepts, which still further expanded, until a larger
picture of the physical/emotional/spiritual human began to emerge and
be sung to through touch.
Massage is "structured touching" or
touching with purpose. This purpose may be directed towards relieving
muscle pain and stress, increasing body awareness, or bringing
equilibrium to a life in crisis. Tangible outcomes can be experienced
in the active stimulation of skin, lymph and blood, relaxation of the
muscles and nervous system, elimination of metabolic waste, stretching
of connective tissues and release of a tranquilizing effect into the
entire organism through the parasympathetic nervous system. It is a
healthy way of handling stress.
The recipient is gently urged to
become an active participant through heightened awareness and
surrendering to a deep sensing place. Long, lengthening strokes with
gentle rocking and stretching, passive joint movement, sculpting of
deep musculature, delicate cranial balancing, subtle neural
reeducation and the precision of Chinese point work are all part of
the somatic offering. Personal attention takes precedence over
technique; thus each massage session is unique in itself. Bodywork
happens any time you focus attention on the life of your body, whether
while playing sports, working in your garden, or simply feeling your
feet on the floor. Thus the meditation of receiving touch from
another is part of a large picture of richness which can put you very
firmly in touch with your more personal self.
-Kathleen O'Shaughnessy
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