Mama

What mama wouldn't claim this crew?

 It's not Mother's Day. And I haven't been participating in the thankfulness countdown posts, though I find what various people are grateful for inspiring and sometimes amusing. But tonight, with the recent passing of Granny, my mom's mother, I have been thinking so very much about the woman my mama is. And how my whole world is different because of her presence in it. And how I never want to be here one day without her.

My mama. That's what she called her mother, and that's 
what we, my 3 siblings and I, call her. And when I say it it sounds even more Southern than you're imagining, because my Texas twang comes drawling out of me anytime I talk about something I love deeply. And I love my mama.

My mama can be kind of fiery. I enjoy being a spectator, but not so much being a recipient, of said fire. Like when I told her last week that I might be single but I was going to travel and she should "just get over it." I shouldn't have said it in the first place, and I'll never tell my mama to "just get over it" ever again. My mama stands up for what she loves. She's fought for me in so many ways, and sometimes it's been by fighting with me. 

Me and Mama

My mama gently imparts truths to me with her unique Texas slang and humor. These wisdom-filled colloquialisms encompass a variety of issues ranging in complexity, from weather to love. Describing slippery conditions as "slicker than snot on a doorknob" is one of the few more kosher sayings I feel at liberty to divulge. She's listened to the details of many heart wrenching dramas, and kindly prodded me to move on with the affirmation that "if it's meant to be, it'll be." She's told me "if you got it, flaunt it" but to remember that "you only advertise what you want to sell." And my mama loves me enough to tell me when I'm advertising that which shouldn't be sold.  If it so happens that I don't like what she has to say, she retorts that I "can just get glad in the pants I got mad in."

My mama is tough in the best ways I can think of. She never makes excuses. She's the first to show up and the last to leave. Doesn't complain. She's been my late-night, unpaid teacher's aid. Joyful traveling companion on the most dreadful of trips. Lunch delivery-service. Personal shopping assistant. She's held my hair back while I vomited, waited beside me in bleak doctor's offices and has insisted on cooking for me, despite whatever asinine dietary restrictions I requested she adhere to. She's scrubbed my filthy toilet and washed maggoty dishes when I was too weak to take care of myself. No job is below her or too hard for her. 

Exhibit A

My mama loves me. She tells me. She shows me. I am well aware that she is somewhat delusional about how wonderful I am. Case in point: she thought I was capable of tutoring children in Mandarin after one summer overseas. I could barely say hello. Even hello may have been unintelligible. And that's one instance of many; refer to Exhibit A on left for further evidence. I laugh sometimes about how much she admires the most insignificant contributions I make and the small achievements I attain. But some days, and weeks, and months, after life has chewed you up and spit you back out again, it's nice to know someone thinks you hung the moon. Or, as my mama might say, that you crap gold.

Oh, mama. It's overwhelming to me, all that you've done, all that you're willing to do. The fact that, though you wouldn't let me anyways, I'll never repay you. And that I'll never outgrow you, and don't want to.  I hope I become half of the woman you already think I am. I hope I become half the woman you are. I love you.

Bubba:Shrimp :: Kelly:Massage

Bubba:shrimp :: Kelly:massage

Sometimes, when I talk about massage, I feel like Bubba, the shrimp-obsessed soldier in Forrest Gump. Before I entered massage school, I had no idea how diverse the field of massage was. During my months as a student, I trained in several branches of massage, including Swedish relaxation, pregnancy, hot stone and Thai massage.  Did you know that traditional Swedish massage includes Swedish gymnastics, or stretches? Or that Thai massage was founded by the physician to Bhuddha?

Cobra stretch in traditional Thai massage

I also received an introduction to clinical massage where I learned that trigger points (aka “knots”) occur in predictable patterns throughout the musculature, creating both local and referred pain. For instance, trigger points in muscles along your neck and face can create tooth pain which can be alleviated by massage alone.  Although musculoskeletal pain may not be the sole source of pain, it is often a contributing factor, and sometimes may be mistaken for other ailments.  Interested in looking into the causes of your pain? Check out Claire Davies’ Trigger Point Therapy Workbook for a guide on how to find a resolve pain due to trigger points.

Great guide for self care

Through the interests of my classmates and instructors, further diversities in the field emerged. My Swedish instructor incorporated many elements of eselan massage in our sessions (sans therapist nudity). The long body strokes that define eselan enhance client relaxation! I was also exposed to Arivigo abdominal massage, which has Mayan roots and alleviates a plethora of maladies. Women who experience this form of massage (and practice self-care) may have reduced pain during their period and even enhanced fertility due to the uterus being correctly repositioned in the body. In fact, the results of this massage can even realign a prolapsed uterus and prevent surgery! Clients experiencing digestive issues may benefit from Arvigo therapy as well. It will be a while before I am certified, but if you are interested in this form of massage in the near future, Texas Healing Arts Institute in Austin has qualified therapists that I personally can recommend.

The list goes on. Sports massage can be applied before and after athletic events to enhance performance for serious competitors! Lymphatic drainage is a light form of massage that facilitates the movement of lymph; it can reduce swelling and provide relief from severe allergies. Oncology massage (with approval from the health care team) can be palliative for clients battling cancer and undergoing chemo.

As a new therapist, I feel fortunate to have been exposed to so many different forms of massage and am proud to offer a variety of modalities already. I have many interests and know that over time, I will continue to diversify my practice through many types of massage, including lymphatic, Arvigo and sports massage. But (drumroll) there is one area that I am particularly excited about….massage for children!

I have had a profound love for the littles since I can remember. I found my way to education and continued to enjoy ALMOST every minute with my dears (except when they weren’t being such dears, but that didn’t happen often). So my heart jumped out of my chest when I saw a little girl on the cover of my Massage and Bodywork magazine this September. Massage for kids?! Yes, indeed; not only massage for kids, but many specializations: infant, pediatric, oncology, autism and even trauma. I was so impressed with the work of Tina Allen of Liddle Kidz (featured in several articles) that I have already booked my infant massage training with her in 2014. In fact, you can look at a digital archive of this issue here.

Have you ever sought massage as a remedy or even a complimentary therapy? What would you most like to experience in a massage or receive as a goal of massage? What forms of massage would most benefit our growing community? Check out archived digital editions of Massage and Bodyworkmagazine to see what the field of massage may have to offer you!