For those of us who have the gift of empathy, the power to feel deeply can be a real struggle. Having degrees of empathic abilities often aids us and enhances the work we do in the world, but it can also take a toll on our own emotions and energy levels. Some of the best teachers, doctors, healers, coaches and managers all possess empathic qualities. Being empathic helps us to feel deeply and allows us to relate to other people and situations at an enhanced intuitive level. Many people are shocked by our capacity to feel and care, especially in this time of chaos in the world.
 
            Even those who aren’t as sensitive to energy and emotions have been commenting on the energy of the world lately. Our media outlets are swarming with political banter and crises in other countries. Many of us have to turn to watching videos of puppies and someone’s latest food creation to get any sort of reprieve from what’s dominating our online presence. The discord, conflict and sense of hate and fear have become quite palpable over the last year, and I have struggled to disconnect from this storm of crazy. My own anxiety levels and panic attacks have spiked, and many of my friends and colleagues have been feeling the shifts in energy changes, and the effects to their individual selves  as well.
 
All of this chaos can make us want to shut down, withdraw and stay hidden. For me, when watching the news, debating with friends, or witnessing transitions and transformations not only in my personal life, but in the world, it can all be extremely overwhelming. So, how do we keep on feeling in a chaotic world? There is no easy answer, but empathy isn’t a course, it’s a skill. Many of us need learn more about it so that we are in control of our emotions.
 
We must remember, we are not the emotions we feel. Our emotions do create our thoughts and our reality, but it’s important to have a healthily understanding of what is yours and what is not. Although we may feel the weight of the world and the energies from others, they are not generated by us and we do not have to digest or process what is not ours. Knowing our emotional boundaries first is key to navigating chaos.
 
When we are feeling the magnitude of the world, there may be a overwhelming sense of hopelessness or helplessness. We may ask ourselves, “What am I to do?” or “How do I effect change to help?” It’s important to remember that we are not all meant to create large change, go out and lobby, become a public figure, picket at the forefront. For some of us, our best work and most change can occur behind the lines in small, sometimes unseen ways.
 
Focusing on our own gifts and talents gives us the outlet we need to feel like we can do something about our emotions.  My strength is working with small groups and individuals in my practice. I focus on helping support the individuals that come to me by helping them each take steps to reach their greater potential and by nurturing their flame of passion to go out into the world and inspire others. This is where I can help. I can help support clients and friends in pain. I know that focusing on the local and the ripple effects that move out into the world is how I can manage my own emotions and do my part to change. You need to consider your own strengths and what works for you as an individual.
 
To manage the chaos that sometimes comes with the gift of empathy, it is crucial to focus on the ways in which you can inspire others. Perhaps you simply know your co-worker is having a rough week and you buy them lunch one day. Or you smile at someone in line to get your morning coffee. Maybe you can volunteer at a local community event.
 
One never really knows the power simply caring can have on another individual. It’s a good reminder to those who “feel” and sometimes feel helpless, that simply being yourself in this world is enough. We can all help inspire change and harmony by not only feeling deeply but by caring deeply.
 
 
 
 

This is an article my fellow co-teacher "Christine Cartwright" and I wrote about Integrative Energy therapy, published in "The Door Opener Magazine". If you're interested in learning more about IET ® check out our take on this amazing healing system. 

Do you find yourself stuck in the same situations over and over again repeating bad patterns and habits that limit your growth? Have you encountered roadblocks on your quest to discover your soul’s purpose? Would you like to gain a better understanding of your role in the world by discovering what it is that you came to do in this lifetime?  Are you interested in working with a team of healing angels and deepening your connection with the Angelic realm?  If you answered yes to any of these questions, Integrated Energy Therapy® is exactly what you are looking for.

In the late 1980’s Stephen Thayer channeled Integrated Energy Therapy® through the Angelic Realm under the guidance of the Angel Ariel. By working directly with the healing angels, Thayer co-created a system that works to help alleviate the emotional and mental imprints we store deeply within our bodies. There is a system of points across the body that are connected through energy lines called integrated channels, similar to traditional Chinese medicine points and meridian lines. Like meridians, they help to supply the body with self-regulating energy to maintain balance within all systems. Integrated Energy Therapy® (IET®) introduces the concept of cellular memory areas, connected by the integrated channels. These areas hold all of our life experiences which shape and influence who we are. The cellular memory areas identified in IET® are located in specific anatomical locations ranging from the top of the head down through the kidney area. When these memory areas are blocked, our flow of energy becomes stagnant, preventing us from achieving our optimum physical, emotional, and spiritual well-being.

We often live our lives guided by a pre-written script and end up repeating the same “lines” of limiting thoughts and ideas that we hold about ourselves and about the world.  These lines, or imprints, can be caused by suppressed emotions and experiences such as emotional trauma, stress, or fear which become stored in our bodies, organs, tissues and cells.  When the emotional imprints are not processed efficiently, our energy fields can come to a standstill and keep us from living and pursuing the life we want to live. The IET® system of healing is governed by nine specific healing angels who work directly with an IET® practitioner through an angelic heart-link that essentially connects the heart spaces of the therapist, the client, and the angels. By creating this heart-link, a practitioner becomes a vessel through which the angels can work directly with a client’s energy field to clear emotional imprints in the cellular memory areas. The Angelic heart-link, unique to IET®, allows the Angels to safely and efficiently release and transform these emotional imprints to support healing.  This is all done without requiring the client to relive the emotional and physical responses to the memories. We refer to this as “Healing without Feeling.”

There is a long-held belief in the spiritual community that we come into this life with specific goals and tasks to accomplish. We are provided with all the tools, talents, and support we need in our lives to achieve this, yet when we are born into the physical world, we forget what it is we came here to do. Part of our journey through life is to rediscover exactly what our true purpose is. Integrative Energy Therapy can act as a catalyst for us to reawaken to these possibilities. When receiving IET®, you energetically begin to shift the habits and patterns that keep you stuck in a limited capacity and move you in the direction of who you truly can be. Through IET® you can begin a journey on a new path to make better decisions, freeing yourself of emotional burdens and living in a way that is in alignment with your true mission in life. Integrated Energy Therapy® provides the energy and the guidance you need to help manifest your life goals and your heart’s desires.

 As massage therapists who practice IET®, we have found this technique to be an extremely valuable tool for how we view the body and assist our clients with both their physical and emotional well-being. Using IET® along with traditional massage techniques helps the client achieve a deeper level of release and relaxation. For example, many clients suffer from chronic neck and shoulder pain. While massage alone is effective in reducing the physical pain and providing temporary relief, adding IET®  helps address what is weighing down the client energetically which directly influences the physical discomfort. By working on the emotional imprints first through Integrated Energy Therapy®, the massage therapist can provide additional support and relief from trigger points, myofascial restrictions, chronic pain, and muscle tension that are exacerbated by underlying emotional issues.  Clients often feel lighter and freer both physically and emotionally when incorporating IET® into their sessions. As with traditional massage, IET® also blends beautifully with other forms of bodywork and compliments other energy modalities such as Reiki and Therapeutic Touch.

IET® Training

IET® trainings (basic, intermediate, and advance levels) are generally taught in one day classes, with each class building upon the knowledge and techniques from the previous one. One does not need to have any prior experience in energy work in order to train. Like Reiki, IET ® training consists of an attunement based initiation to work with the energy. The attunement itself expands the energy field and awakens specific chakras within our hands to facilitate IET ® healing. Along with increase healing abilities, you are specially connected to the nine healing angels of the energy field who each bring a unique quality and lesson to the work. Although these nine angels specifically work with this system, one can connect to any angel for healing and communication via the Angelic Heart-link. As you continue to work closely with the Angelic realm, your perception and understanding of these beings increases and benefits not only your healing work but also the everyday aspects of your life.

Feel free to contact myself here or Christine by visiting her webpage http://www.blueheronhealingmassage.com/  with any questions or interests. 

Blessings, 

Dan 
 

Long before I began my training to become a licensed massage therapist, I was utilizing the benefits of bodywork in my personal life.

In fact, it’s for that very reason why I chose Massage Therapy as my career. I wanted to be able to provide the mind-body wellness massage helped me achieve and that many others crave.

Most of us spend our time in “go mode.” We can thank our western lifestyle that constantly keeps us in a state of frenzy and anxiety. We have to continuously deal with stress about work, deadlines, time commitments, - the list goes on.  On top of all of this stress, we are fueled by copious amounts of caffeine and sugar. No wonder most of us are burned out and worn down. 

Did you know however there is a simple, natural and time-tested remedy for this? It’s bodywork. Receiving bodywork is a wonderful way to give our system time to relax. However with something so important for our overall health and well-being – massage and bodywork unfortunately has become an idea of luxury.

I often hear from others, “Oh, I simply cannot afford massage on a regular basis”. Or I’ll hear clients say, ““I am treating myself to a massage today, I’ve been too stressed”. This sentiment also makes me chuckle. I mean don’t get me wrong; it’s great that my client is going for bodywork, its just interesting to me that they still consider a massage or bodywork an occasional “treat.” It’s funny to me because if we are spending a huge portion of our time in stressed out, pain ridden, emotionally drained state, then why is that we only provide relief for ourselves sporadically?

I don’t think that anyone enjoys being in state of unease. Yet this is what we have become accustomed to. Why do we associate the benefits of feeling good from massage as something that only happens once in a while? I can’t think of anyone who wants to continuously feel sore, run-down, and out of balance. 

A co-worker of mine told me, “I don’t see the value in getting a massage. I used to go regularly, but the effects don’t last.” For example she mentioned she experience stress reduction, lower blood pressure, mood enhancement and pain relief, but the effects so soon wear off and she couldn’t see spending the money.

I sat back and had to think for a bit. Does anything last? Nothing in our lives stays exactly the same. As humans, we are not stagnant beings – but things change daily, things including our physiology. Our bodies are in a constant struggle to maintain and bring itself back into balance. Just like cars, tires need to be replaced, oil needs to be changed, fluids flushed and even cars need “bodywork”. Our bodies are the same we need regular maintenance in order to keep ourselves working top notch.   

Bodywork is an investment in good health. I sure have benefited from it. Contact me to see how bodywork can help you. 

Massage Therapy is beneficial to your health and well-being year-round, but can be especially useful during the tough winter months. If you live in New England like me, our weather changes on a dime and our bodies are constantly trying to adapt to the varying degrees of craziness. Here are some benefits that you can enjoy through routine use of massage therapy during the winter.

Relief for Sore and Stiff Muscles

We tend to be less active during the winter as we can’t do much outdoors. The desire to spend time indoors, wrapped in a blanket with a hot cup of tea can lead us to not move and stretch as much as we should. As a result, muscles can get sore and stiff from inactivity. Even if you do manage to stay active, colder temperatures can make keeping our muscles warm a challenge and can lead to tightness. Regular massage can loosen tight muscles and relieve soreness.

Alleviating Pain from Shoveling

Lifting and shoveling heavy snow can wreak havoc on the body. Many people will develop sore shoulders and forearms from shoveling. Shoveling snow can also exacerbates lower back pain, and can even put people out of commission for a few days. I've actually been there and done that myself. If you find yourself out of sorts following an intense battle with the snow on your driveway, a massage can relieve pain and help you prepare for the next blizzard. 

Immune Booster

The winter is peak season for colds and flu, and people are generally more susceptible to illness during the winter as we spend more time indoors, in close quarters with other people so germs are more easily spread. Additionally, stress in high levels can lower the body’s ability to fight off germs and illness. Combine high levels of stress with cold and flu season, and you have the potential for developing a nasty cold (or even worse). Massage works to reduce stress which in turn can help your body’s immune system work at its peak potential.

A Warm Oasis

Maybe you just want to get out of the cold for a little bit. A massage is a perfect time to relax while being enveloped in warmth. Many massage therapists (like me!) provide table warmers so you are perfectly cozy while getting your massage. Some therapists also offer hot stone massages which work to add deep warmth to cold and tight muscles. 

If you’ve had enough of the cold weather, book a massage so you can escape into a cozy world surrounded by warmth and relaxation – even if it is only just for an hour.