The Yoga of Massage

Hi all!

I just came back from a splendid weekend in Boston with my husband-- our first baby-free trip! Because the weekend was all about pampering, we treated ourselves to massages, and during mine, I had a revelation: I hold and tense my muscles way too much.

Do you ever feel yourself tensing up during a massage, either hoping that the therapist gets to the right place, or worrying that they'll hurt you?

As soon as I realized it, I made a conscious decision to put myself in the massage therapist's able hands; that I would let her do the work and that my job was just to relax. Let me tell you, it worked wonders! Here are some tips on how to promote conscious relaxation:

• BREATHE: Take full, deep breaths in and out of your nose. Let your belly expand on each inhale, and fall on each exhale. If you feel yourself getting tense, go against the impulse and take a deep breath instead.

• GET GROUNDED: Let yourself be supported by the massage table, paying special attention to the parts of your body that most often hold your tension. For many of us, it's in our shoulders and necks, so let those parts go first. Then, scan the rest of the body.

• BE MINDFUL: As the massage therapist kneads deeply into your muscles and tissue, try to imagine the renewed blood flow through your body. Massage allows fresh blood and lymph to circulate more effectively-- that's the physical warmth you feel.

• LOVE YOURSELF: Oftentimes, we feel guilty about doing anything for ourselves. The very fact that you showed up for a much-needed massage is a great first step in practicing self-love. Instead of feeling guilty or selfish, take this time to enjoy the moment, and know that you're doing something wonderful for yourself.