My One Hour Massage Part 1: Confidence
- William Ogboke
- Jan 7, 2016
- 4 min read
Why and how can we incorporate massage and aromatherapy to get closer to our new years objectives.
Part 1. CONFIDENCE This is a mind, body and spirit zone. Anyone who thinks this is gobbledegook or who thinks massage is sexual innuendo, I politely invite you to change the channel, turn the page or disengage. What I really want you to do is be enlightened and renewed in this new year - and that's why you have tuned in, I guess.
Whether your new year aspirations are to lose weight / tone-up, spend more time with your loved ones or simply to get closer to your ambitions, I'm here to guide you on what could work for you massage and aromatherapy-wise. There are suitable techniques, formats and zones of the body for every personality, occasion or aspiration.
My 'One Hour Massage' aims to engage you and become a platform for talking about your massage experiences. The content may be a small ripple in a pond yet I'm sharing my experience and advising you of what may work best for you. My intention is that you become more savvy about selecting your areas, style of massage and the areas we should focus our attention.
This first edition is related to CONFIDENCE. It holds a huge relevance to massage yet doesn't get talked about often. So I am featuring this as the first topic. Firstly - you've got to love and appreciate yourself. If you are of the club of 'I feel overweight and ugly' then a huge achievement may be Level 1: Being in a state of undress in front of a complete stranger and to start speaking about your body. Okay, so you may not be entirely naked when having your massage. Modesty always, but you get the point?
This is a brave chapter for some, and if you feel it's yours - then I want you to say. Why would you want anyone to be unaware of your great achievement, particularly the person witnessing it?
In addition - it's in this category that I often find the people who need massage the most. If you overcome this stage you are opening the gateway to confidence in your everyday life.
Men usually relate muscle gain and stature to confidence and woman commonly worry about sagging breasts, legs and/or arms. I find both sexes mention how they feel around the waist. If you are set on improving any these factors I will talk about that more in the next edition. For now, think solely about confidence in a holistic sense.
Using both confidence as a theme and objective, your potential one hour session may go as follows...
All over body massage
This would be a be a gold star on the first hurdle if you are insecure about your body. If this is what you are going for also try to ask for extra massage time on the areas you are most proud. By giving attention to those we ease you into the swing of the session. The body should be celebrated and massage is a great way to do that. That notion imbues confidence, so remember it. Looking after your body via massage can increase your levels of self-worth and lower your levels of stress
The Triangle
Head, neck and shoulders.
If you have insecurities about your body, or even being treated by a new person, then the head, neck and shoulders may initially be the only area you are happy to expose. It's recommended as a first stop in connecting you and your practitioner for a start.
January, being known as 'the most depressing month', as well as the month we feel may be inclined to feel the most unattractive, makes massage on the head very relevant.
A great head massage is bound to release 'happy hormone' endorphins. Being in a positive frame of mind is a good foundation for building confidence.
The Face
It's usually the first thing people see when they meet you. It's the vehicle used to communicate. If you've previously fought or disagreed with someone, you've literally left them with an impression of your scowling face.
A facial massage with oils and gels can help to lift, tone and soften skin whilst appeasing the muscles you use to eat, speak, think and express. The person you argued with will find it difficult to recognise you as the moulded angry face may have disappeared. Facial massage appeals to the 'new year, new me mentality'. Plus - you are glowing and it feels great. Looking good using natural methods and oils is usually associated with a great feeling and increased instant self-worth.
The Abdomen/Solar plexus
Some of you may protest: 'No way Will - that's my belly!' Or to quote the late Jade Goody 'my muffin top'. Some believe in chakras - some don't. Your solar plexus is considered a metaphysical area as well as a physical one. It is the area related to confidence. Physically it's positioning is vulnerable. It's just below the cave (ribs) that cradles our super-vital organs. Scientifically, the areas where there are chakras just happen to be the endocrine areas that are the hubs of hormonal activity. A coincidence?
The pancreas produces insulin which regulates the control of blood glucose in our body.
In my experience the abdomen is many people's least favourite area for massage. Woman who have given birth are more likely to feel uncomfortable than the people who deem themselves 'overweight'. People facing confidence or emotional issues should also take time to connect with this area. It doesn't always involve massage; within your treatment there are ways to engage this area. Breath-work combined with massage has the most impact.
Essential Oils
Confident, bright, optimistic and euphoric oils suit your new year rennaissance - I would suggest a bespoke cocktail involving perhaps may chang, jasmine, clary sage, lemongrass, geranium or bergamot. Please join me again soon when I discuss the potential next step, and also massage for training regimes and exercise.
Happy new year and happy new you!
William
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