We wanted to think about how we are grounding ourselves. How are we taking care of ourselves, whilst we are taking care of others?
There is a lot of noise, fear and stress surrounding us all lately. The media is full of talk of crisis after crisis. Our clients are being bombarded and modern life weighs heavy. How can we offer a safe space for them to unpack what they are carrying, within the space of each treatment?
As working therapists we are on the receiving end of our clients anxieties. Practicing real listening, enabling someone to let go of what they've been holding onto is enough and incredibly powerful.
Something that we would really recommend thinking about is grounding yourself. Finding a way to be present in the moment, practising real listening for your client and protecting yourself and maintaining your own headspace.
We wanted to share some ideas and techniques that we find useful and would love to hear how you manage this in your practice.
The rule of three
A great tip from Chris, Principal of the Academy and Sports Massage Therapist, is to work with the rule of three. The rule of three being that to ground yourself physically as you are giving a treatment ensure you are grounded at three points of contact; feet grounded on the floor, hip grounded against the massage couch and one hand taking your weight on the massage couch where appropriate whilst giving the treatment. This has the added benefit of stabilising you and reducing the stress on your back.
Grounding techniques
We encourage you to notice. Notice how we are physically carrying these emotional burdens, notice our breathing and notice how present we are in the moment. There are a number of ways you can notice your breathing and some wonderful techniques that can be tapped into from yoga and qigong for example.
We like to do a very simple breathing visualisation to support our work during treatments. This is one that you can do yourself or ask your client to do with you. Notice 3 things that are on your mind, the stresses weighing heavy on your shoulders. Notice how those things leave you feeling and breathe deeply, letting them go as you exhale. Release your jaw, let you shoulders drop and unclench your fists.
Watch as Chris takes us through a guided grounding exercise here...
Energy work
We can practice real listening without absorbing and carrying it away with us and we can stay contained within our boundaries. Sometimes we just need some supervision and guidance around doing so. Embedding energy healing into treatments can not only benefit the person receiving the treatment but can work incredibly well for the therapist too. Staying contained in our own boundaries and being able to provide a space for healing that unpacks what the person has going on for them, whilst being able to cultivate and maintain your own calm uncluttered space is incredibly beneficial. Reiki can offer the tools and awareness to manage this for yourself and others.