Week 15

Tonight we start a new chapter of Level 1 called Introduction to Deep Tissue. We are very clear about the fact that the training we will be doing for the next six weeks is a prerequisite for Level 2, not deep tissue work yet. Deep tissue work requires detailed knowledge of anatomy, among other things, and the students will get plenty of that in a couple of months. For now, we will concentrate on getting used to glides, compressions, friction and palpation techniques.
Before the demo, we have a circle discussion about deep tissue work. We talk about what it is and what it's not and discover that there are certain persistent myths in the massage profession regarding this modality. Many clients are afraid that it will hurt them, others insist that we should inflict pain following the "No pain, no gain" line of thinking. We discuss the students' personal experiences with deep tissue work, and focus on managing our homework clients' expectations. Deep tissue will not "get rid of all the knots", nor will it magically heal our clients in an hour.
After the circle I wonder if, in my enthusiasm, I confused the class - they now know all the things they will not and cannot do. So, what's left?
I demonstrate compression strokes, using forearms, knuckles, palms, elbows and fingers. Taking the time to sink in, breath, wait and listen to the muscle tissue as it's undergoing the subtlest of changes is a major component of the new skill set. It will not come overnight. Observing the changes in texture, color, temperature and sensitivity of their partners' muscle tissue is humbling and elating at the same time. The 90 minutes allotted for exchanges flies by, and we put away the tables. I look around as we hold hands before stepping into the darkness outside and thank them for trusting me - and themselves.