In 1986, after graduating from Kenyon College,
I taught English in rural Japan with the JET program. At that time, I came across this spiritual concept: prior to our self-contraction, we are one with all creation, I AM. In a newborn baby, we witness a relaxed, open, connected state of being that is our birthright. As we grow older, tension, constricted breathing, judgment, and separation cause deteriorating health and emotional suffering.
I realized that a great massage could help us reclaim our health and embody our True nature, the expansion prior to the contraction that we are always doing. All that is necessary is to become aware, let go, and expand. Through the kinesthetic feedback of a great massage, we can become aware that we are contracting, and expand into our natural state of relaxation, connection, and self-healing.
I began to experiment with giving backrubs to my American friends who taught English with me in Japan. ‘You have got to do this for a living’, my friends advised. I am grateful I that I listened to my inner calling. I still love my profession. Massage Therapy allows me to use my innate gifts of kinesthetic awareness and intuition, to take care of myself while caring for others, to be with Spirit, to be of service, to work with wonderful people, and to continue to learn and grow.
