NMT is here to “ROCK YOUR WORLD” (RYW)... gently or vibrantly... it’s up to YOU!!!

I coined the phrase RYW quite awhile ago. I felt it appropriate for the work being done here at Natural Massage Therapy. When I saw how people were entering and exiting my treatment room, RYW was born.

Although RYW may sound heavy, “it ain’t necessarily so”.... Sometimes, a gentle nudge is all it takes for your world to rock because it has been teetering for ages. Other times, it is like a rock concert... the sounds, the screams and the squeals that are evoked would make a passerby think quite a show is in progress. AND IT IS.

It is truly amazing what can happen in a treatment. I sit back in awe as I watch people “find their way.” It is nothing short of a miracle. All of the pieces simply fit together in a beautiful tapestry. I have been brought to tears on occasion... it’s that powerful!!!

Many people wonder how massage therapy can alleviate depression, anxiety, loss. I understand their questioning the impact upon such grand issues. Most people look at massage and other forms of bodywork as simply a physical act of rubbing tissue... moving things around. Yet, within that simple act, there is an inner stirring that awakens all of the memories that have been hidden in the muscles, bones, nerves, and cells. It’s like the ON switch has been activated and people see things that have been hidden from sight for years. The lights have come on and they are home... HOME within themselves.  
 
Recently at Pat Benatar’s book signing she wrote, “YOU ROCK!” and I thought... "how does she know?" But it is true.. I love to RYW.
Be well... Nancy T.

* NMT can RYW in person or at a distance. For more information on NMT please visit www.naturalmassagetherapy.com. To read personal accounts and to watch a video go to http://www.naturalmassagetherapy.com/ryw.html.

        

Sitting on the front porch is one of my favorite things to do. I find myself surrounded by love here and it is easy to get lost in the bliss of it all.

With a pot of green tea by my side, I sit and look out into the cloudless blue hue of the Arizona sky. The green willow tree with it dead branches stick out, landing pads for the birds to absorb the view, forms a nice contrast. The sound of the birds talking away lets me know that I am not alone. Wind chimes sing to me, songs as unique as the individuals who gifted them to me. My chime-less shell wind chimes spin and flutter in the breeze reminding me of the beaches of the Caribbean and Mexico from whence they came... aaahhhh the memories!

A new mobile catches my eye. She has been a long time in the making... with innards from a Caribbean palm tree collected years ago. The sticks look like the crooked fingers of an old woman pointing to the Earth... in what direction is anyone’s guess.

Flowers, plants, rocks, candles... all the things that bring me pleasure surround this place... this solitude.

I have taken to sitting on the front porch to talk with clients. It quickly brings a sense of peace in times of stress. The breeze seems to say... “Let me take that burden from you, you no longer need to carry it.” The cicadas agree as they chime in.

The front porch is the place to be. Where is your “front porch” and don’t you just love it??? Be well.... Nancy T.

        

The BIG questions pass through my mind periodically ... What am I doing here? What’s the point of life? What’s my purpose? What can I do to help in this world? If I’m not my body, why take care of it? If I’m not my mind, why does it occupy my thoughts?

These questions can overwhelm. Mostly because the answers can vary day to day or there are no answers that really satisfy our curiosity.

After one of my talks someone said to me, “So this (speaking* about healing) is your purpose?” I said, “I’m not sure what my purpose is but talking to people makes me feel purposeful.”

When the big questions lurk, the thing that helps me most is living in the moment. I have no idea what this life is really about. I’m not sure I ever really will, but when I fully engage in the moment... with all of my senses, I am taking in life. To hear the birds, to feel the wind, to taste the sweetness of a ripe piece of fruit, to smell rain approaching... all of these things and so much more generate  L I F E.

Now, what is the meaning of life? I suppose that is up for interpretation. I do know that we are here to experience life, whatever form that it takes for the individual.

When the BIG questions arise, do your best to experience life and maybe your answers will appear. If not, at least you had a “life experience”... you lived in the moment. Enjoy... Nancy T.

* To view Nancy’s videos go to www.naturalmassagetherapy.com

        

In the blink of an eye our whole world can change. We all know this, yet we live our lives as if nothing will change all that quickly. I recently had a client say... “I don’t expect a miracle”.... and I thought... “why not?”

This is new thinking for me. I have to admit, I used to think things took a great deal of time to change. Now, I realize that things can change in the blink of an eye... as easily and simply as we allow.

Why is it that we feel it takes sooooo long for change? I myself have written articles on patterns and how we hold tight to routine. Life is full of opportunities to change... to make a difference... to adjust our course.. to try something NEW.

Life is about change. Why not make it easy? In the blink of an eye, life can be different. Take time today to see what is working and what is not working for you and then step forward. New experiences are available in the blink of an eye. Be well...Nancy T.

To read Nancy's articles please visit www.naturalmassagetherapy.com

        

Beach chair: check, umbrella; check, towel; check, grapes; check, cornbread; check, boogie board; check...

        

I was recently reading from my first book, One Of Eight–my perspective on our brother’s suicide*, when I came across the following words... “Asking is important.” As the words registered, I realized how significant asking can be to fulfill my desires.

Many people “think” that others should know what they want or need. After-all, they have been together for X-amount of years. But, why assume someone should know what you need or want... they have their own lives to live.

Personally, I have difficulty knowing what I fancy all of the time. It takes me awhile to figure out my own thoughts and desires. If I had to calculate everything for everyone in my life I would be exhausted. Plus, I would only be guessing what I “think” they want. Taking the guess work out of a relationship is imperative to healthy growth.

I have to admit that asking is not always easy. In the dream that brought asking to the surface in my book, I found that when I asked I was not alone in life... that help was near.... that love surrounded me. A message like that makes asking much easier. Simplify life... ask for what you need. Be well... Nancy T.


* To purchase books please visit www.naturalmassagetherapy.com

        

Stillness within chaos is probably the most difficult thing to obtain, but it is a noble goal. To be still and peaceful in a mellow environment is equally as beautiful but not quite as challenging.

I’ve just spent the last few weeks in a rather chaotic state, especially compared to my life in Prescott. I’ve recently returned from the WINDY CITY, Chi-town, Chicago! Talk about a change of pace. "GO HAWKS!!!"

Travel alone is enough to rock anyone’s world. Normally, it is a state of “hurry up” and “wait”. This trip it was wait, wait, wait... get off my plane, try again tomorrow. Although travel is time consuming, I have learned how to do it in a relative state of peace. I send peace ahead of me once my plans are in order to pave the way. And then I sit back, make myself as comfortable as possible and "let go". What else can you do?

The energy in a BIG city is quite different than in a small town. There is a frenzy that comes with more people... it reminds me of watching ants on a newly exposed hill... scurrying everywhere to rebuild and protect what is theirs.

In the past, I sat back and watched the masses. I had small interactions, but I kept my space and my place on the edge of the crowd. Little by little the ants surrounded me. It was time to join the colony or remain an outsider. I joined in and felt my heart accelerate with each step. This trip I had to colonize quickly after losing a day due to a cancelled flight... there were people to see, places to go. Fortunately, it wasn’t all a blur.

Alone in the morning and late at night, I took measures to put my unwinding expertise into play. I felt my heart settle and my breath calm... I was home with myself. That is stillness to me... a sense of home. It’s never too far away.

Being surrounded by family and friends is a gift as well as a strain. It’s never easy to fit in all of the people, places, and things I’d like to accomplish. I’ve learned to do what feels good to me, to see who I need to see, to be where I need to be and the rest just falls into place. That takes the pressure off and it makes room for stillness to seep in. Joy and love replace the feelings of chaos as I embrace all that I have and all that I am.

It’s not easy to be still in chaos, but it is possible. Time for my hammock. Be well... Nancy T.

        

Do you ever wonder why we want change so bad but we do little to create change?

I think fear gets in the way. We’d rather hang on (sometimes for dear life) to what we know, to what we have, then take any steps toward change. Yet, we know that it is INSANE to do the same thing over and over again and expect different results.

It has taken me years and years to change certain patterns*. The patterns were so deep that they just kept reappearing and I’d be sort of surprised... “like, what are you doing here?” But, of course, we were old friends. The patterns aren’t gone, I just choose not to follow them any longer. I have found a new leader so to speak.

Sometimes we need to move across country and leave everything behind to obtain change. That works to a certain extent because we are no longer in the same environment doing the same thing day after day, week after week. On the other hand, no matter where we go “we” are still there. And eighty percent of our thoughts are thoughts that we had previously.

Change takes persistence. Each time an old pattern is recognized it becomes an opportunity to change. We may need to physically take our bodies and do something completely different. The key to success is stepping out and facing the fear and doubt.

To create change we need to change... it’s that simple.

As Einstein said, “I must be willing to give up what I am in order to become what I will be.”

Cha, Cha, Cha, Changes.... give em’ a whirl.                                                Be well... Nancy T.


* Patterns and Holistic Therapy can be found at www.naturalmassagetherapy.com – Articles ~ Art of Therapy.

        

Although I am not a “mother” in the traditional sense, I surely have done plenty of mothering in my life. Mostly, I mother myself, but mothering is far-reaching.

When I think of mothering the first word that comes to mind is CARING. At least that is what my mother showed me, even when I didn’t deserve her love and care. She continued to care for me in good times and in bad. In recent years, when I have apologized for my poor, immature behavior she chuckled and said, “You were hurting, I just wanted you to feel better.” That statement alone shows how much my mother has shouldered for my sake.

I thought of being a mother. When I didn’t actually birth a child, I looked at what I did give birth to and my books* immediately came to mind. They are my children, the things I value and want to share with the world. I long for them to reach out to people and show them all of their goodness, all that they have to give.

Similar to raising children, I have to be patient, aware, look for opportunities, open my eyes to new ideas, and learn from my mistakes in how I present myself around them (lord knows how parents can embarrass you). Eventually, I have to let them go out into the world and see where they land. To see what adventures they can experience, what opportunities are waiting for them.

Mothering is a tough job. I honor every mother out there for taking part in caring and loving their children... human or otherwise.

HAPPY MOTHER’S DAY!!! Be well... Nancy T.

* For more information on my babies please visit www.naturalmassagetherapy.com.

        

When I say that I am a “bodyworker” I have gotten some strange looks. I feel my statement is clear, but I see confusion register on other’s brow. One person said, “Like you work on bodies?” I said, “Exactly.”

I guess I figure people are familiar with bodywork because I feel everyone should receive it on a regular basis. I myself have recently made a personal contract to get bodywork every month. My muscles need to be worked, my tissues need to be awakened, my head needs to be given some space, and I need to be on the table instead of over it. It is a great commitment to myself. I know that the money will be there and the right therapist will appear at the moment I need them.

It’s bizarre how we treat our bodies. We respect so many “things” over our body AND we spend more on things than ourselves. Yet, the body is our home and transportation 24/7. It is what we live in, breath in, occupy; it takes us where we want to go, it pumps blood to let us do what we need, it provides a computer like none other that is programmed to regulate our temperature, keep us balanced, allow us to think (sometimes)... on and on. And most of us ignore all of it.... until it stops doing something OR we hurt it. Then, watch out because we whine like little babies.

Sometimes injury or illness force us to look at the body. Our eyes become clear and focused because we want what is missing. For myself, when I broke my right arm my world was turned upside down... how the heck do you brush your teeth with your left arm much less write a sentence?

Bodywork, working the body in a pleasant atmosphere, with loving touch, feeling the tissue that remembers everything is nothing short of AWESOME.

Some people wait until they hurt or something is bothering them. I used to be one of them. Then I had a session when I had no complaints. What happened surprised me... I went deeper within, I found more of me and I felt terrific.

Money seems to be the biggest thing that keeps people from bodywork, but it is just one of many excuses. Heck, if we felt good money might be easier to come by. When we feel good everything is simpler. Take away your health and really watch your money go out the window.

Recently a client, who was feeling incredible after a session, stated, “Just think of how many treatments I could get for the money I will spend on a medical test.” Well, since tests are in the thousands I’d say PLENTY. We shall see where he puts his dollars and sense.... ha,ha!

Bodywork... it’s good for the body and great for the soul. Do yourself a favor... call your favorite therapist and make your day. Be well... Nancy T.