Structural Therapy Experience: Session 3

Session 3: The Lateral Seam

After a three week break we were back on the massage tables learning the next step on the 10 session Structural Therapy path.  This was my favorite session so far.  When the session was over I could breathe easier, see better and I actually was an inch taller!!  I was measured before and after the session.  I've always had a short waist and I actually felt longer in my torso after the session was over.  I slept so well Saturday night.  However, I could barely drag myself out of bed Sunday morning.  Your body heals itself during sleep.  My body was so busy healing it didn't want to stop!

A few emotions have surfaced for me as well.  Being so open in my midsection was a very vulnerable feeling.  I think I usually shrink down a bit through my torso to protect myself and feel safe.  Sometimes this can cause me to get stuck.  I have been feeling a little stuck lately.  When this was released Saturday some feelings of irritation and frustration surfaced.  Since I had so much release in this area those feelings rose up and then were washed away quickly.  I don't feel as stuck as I was.  Several other students felt an emotional release as well.  There is something to having your body stretched out and elongated allowing freer movements.  It's amazing what we hold in our torsos. 

I feel more comfortable performing the work.  I'm getting into a groove.  It's becoming more natural to feel the tissue move under my hands.  John told us to view the body as spherical and that this session helps us work the body as a sphere.  Working down the side of the body connects the front to the back and reminds the body that it is indeed 3 dimensional.  It really is a shame that we forget about so many parts of our body.  In our day-to-day lives we live mostly in our heads.  The rest of our body gets forgotten, neglected and ignored.  Pain comes and we shift our posture to compensate; then we get stuck.  Releasing the fascial tissue that has been bound up in those compensatory patterns is the basis of Structural Therapy.  In my almost 15 years of practicing massage therapy I have never seen postural changes like this.  I love this work

Sugar Blues

Post by Marelda Rodrigues, LMT (bio below)

It is the season when cakes, cookies, sweets and other sugary eatables descend on us like rain.  Each is more scrumptious looking than the rest.  Each appeals to our senses differently – “looks yummy,” “reminds me of…,” “smells soooooooo…….” – you get the point.  Each whittles away at our resistance because we are trained to give in to our senses. 

Refined sugar and sugar additives are highly addictive.  Studies show that sugar is more addictive than cocaine.  Want to find out how addictive?  Take every bit of sugar out of your daily meal and snack intake, and see how you feel.  Try this for a week.  Then add a piece of you favorite candy bar or sugar treat back in and see if it does not rope you in to repeat immediately and in the days ensuing.  How recently did you use or hear the expression “sugar high?” 

Manufacturers hide sugars in our foods to make them enticing or to preserve them for longer shelf life.  Reading labels is becoming more and more important and a responsibility we must become willing to take one for our own health.

Yes, sugar is addictive.  And what is does to our bodies over time is devastating.  Feeding the sugar cravings and habits with refined sugar and sugar additives over time is like opening the door and inviting chronic illness in. 

So rather than resist, we can give in to our cravings for sweet.  What??  Is that possible?  Yes, it is possible.  We can train our taste buds and bodies to like and want healthier sweet options from whole foods.  These healthier sweet options are delicious, versatile, easily available and less expensive (especially in comparison to healthcare bills for chronic illnesses). 

Learn about healthy sweet options that will keep you from regrets through the holiday season and after. 

Come to my FREE lecture to learn more:

Sugar Blues - Understanding Your Craving For Sweet.

When: Monday, December 12, 2011, 7-8 p.m.
Where: Chicago College of Healing Arts located at 1622 W Devon Ave, Chicago, IL 60660.

Specific inquiries? Want to sign up to attend?   

Go to The Centered Realm.

Marelda Rodrigues is a Health Coach and Licensed Massage Therapist.  Her journey in the field of Wellness began with Massage Therapy (licensed in Illinois and New York), and gained momentum through her training with WellcoachesTM and the Institute of Integrative Nutrition.  Marelda created The Centered Realm to help her clients develop their own unique and sustainable wellness lifestyles by changing behaviors and meeting their well-being goals.  In developing wellness plans for her clients, Marelda provides packages or individual rates for wellness coaching and massage, and has an alliance of experienced practitioners with whom she partners to maximize client options for wellness.  She also conducts cooking classes and grocery tours to help clients explore new and delicious nutrition options. Marelda believes that you have one body for your entire lifetime and it serves you in everything you do and on many levels; you should treat it well, balance out physical and emotional stresses, nourish it with care, and allow it’s spirit an outlet to become grounded and mindful.

Structural Therapy Experience: Session 2

Structural Therapy Experience: Session 2 - Legs & feet

I am still breathing deeply with an open diaphragm from the first session and feel open across my chest.  Already I'm impressed with the lasting effects.  We are now finishing up our second weekend in the Structural Therapy Program and this weekend was extremely grounding.  We worked on the feet and lower legs to create a firm foundation to allow the knee to release.  Almost every time I get a massage I have the therapist focus on the back and neck because I have chronic pain there; my legs are usually neglected.  Living in the city of Chicago and not having a car I do a LOT of walking so my legs and feet are really tight.  It's interesting to me how disconnected I am to the lower half of my body.  I live in my neck and shoulders most of the time even though I use my legs & feet more in some cases.  Having a whole hour spent just on my lower legs and feet was eye opening.  Special attention was paid to the retinacular band of fascia that crosses the ankle as well as the tendons that connect to my toes.  I have pain in my right big toe right in the tendon and could not bend it without pain.  After the session I could bend my toe and had no pain at all!

I also do not have arches in my feet, not since I was a kid.  My parents told me I actually wore orthotics for the first 2 years of my life because I did not have arches.  After this session I had arches!  I could feel a space between the middle of my foot and the ground.  I could actually have a sense of where an arch should be and where I should be standing.  That was unbelievable to me.  At the end of the first day working Althea, the instructor, walked us through some Psychophysical exercises for the feet.  These are movements that create body awareness.  I had yet another revelation; I have toes!  One of the first exercises she had us do was to make a windshield wiper movement with our feet on the ground and try to sense our toes.  At first I couldn't feel any of my toes.  After we did a few more of the movements and reassessed with the windshield wiper exercise I could feel all of my toes on the floor.  I could feel every part of my foot as I walked.

Working with my model on the second day I was able to focus on 2 different areas and see the change I was trying to create.  I wanted to release the top of his left foot and the achilles on his right leg.  After the session was complete we saw measured changes in both areas.  It was so validating both for me and for this work!  I love being able to see a difference.  I felt much more confident in the work this weekend.  I could really feel the tissue move more this time around.  I feel more solid on the ground and I feel more solid in my head.  It is a wonderful feeling to have support!  We have three weeks now until our next session.  Have a wonderful Thanksgiving!             

Structural Therapy Experience: Session 1

Structural Therapy Experience

Let me first introduce myself, I am Rebecca Pollock, LMT, President of the Chicago College of Healing Arts (CCHA).  I have been a massage therapist for almost 15 years and love everything about the holistic health and wellness field.  That is why I chose to buy a healing arts school.  I want to be fully involved with my school so I am currently enrolled in the Structural Therapy program we have here at CCHA and I would like to share my experiences about this amazing work over the next 6 months after each weekend.

Session 1 - Releasing the Sleeve

Well, we are finishing up the first weekend of the Structural Therapy Program and I cannot wait to continue!  I came into this program not really knowing what to expect.  I know Structural is a deep tissue technique and very similar to myofascial work, but beyond that I didn't know what to expect.  I have been pleasantly surprised so far!  I look around the room at my classmates and I'm amazed.  There are so many different backgrounds, levels of experience and personalities, but one thing is the same - we all want to learn.  We all want to give something to back to people.  I feel so honored to be in class with these amazing bodyworkers.  Everyone has their own unique style and gift to add to the process.  This first session is about creating more space in the body and releasing the most superficial tissue.  I am the model for one of the demos from an instructor so I will be getting the ten sessions from one of the professionals.
The work begins with releasing the diaphragm and the intercostals, those muscles that live in between your ribs.  I know I hold a lot in my abdomen, but oh my goodness was it tight!  It felt so good to have those muscles released.  I am breathing far deeper than I was at the beginning of the weekend and I'm more aware of my breathing.  I'm also more aware of some feelings that have surfaced.  Slight irritations, frustrations mostly at myself.  I know this work has an emotional component to it that is very powerful.  Your muscles have memory and hold things far longer than you need or want to.  I noticed that my posture has been collapsing in the front.  Perhaps I'm protecting myself from something, that instinctual fetal position.  My chest is collapsing in, shoulders slumping forward and my back is rounding.  Perhaps I have had this posture for awhile and now I am aware of it.  All that matters now is that I am aware of it.  Each time I have caught myself collapsing this weekend, I correct myself.  I've been aware of my posture before, but never to this depth.  I can feel how collapsing my chest affects my breathing and my ribcage. Multiple levels of feelings are bubbling up inside of me, and it will be curious to see how they present themselves.  Right now I just feel open.

Stay tuned, session 2 is next weekend!

Fall Programs

As the weather begins to cool down activities turn indoors.  Maybe you're thinking about changing careers or just exploring new opportunities available to you.  Here at Chicago College of Healing Arts (CCHA) we have upcoming Programs this Fall that may be just what is calling to you...




Massage Therapy - Clinical or Thai Track - Starting Sept. 12, 2011
Do you feel like your hands were meant to do something more?  Studying massage therapy not only prepares you for a career it also takes you on an amazing journey of the human body.  You will learn the physical anatomy and physiology of the body while also exploring the energetic and spiritual aspects of the body.  This experience will change your life as you prepare to help others change their lives...
 

Structural Therapy - Starting Sept 30, 2011
For Massage Therapists, Physical Therapists, Chiropractors, Asian Bodywork Therapists and others in the healthcare industry, do you want to add a new layer to your massage and bodywork?  Structural Therapy combines the deep tissue technique of Rolfing with passive joint movements of Psychophysical work to create an intensely releasing deep tissue modality. 

Herbalism Program - Starting March 2012
Are you searching for alternatives to pharmaceuticals?  Maybe you are just looking for a more natural and preventative approach to your healthcare.  Our unique program combines classroom experience with in the field experience out on the Founders 88 acre United Plant Savers Sanctuary in IN.  The first year of our Herbalism Program will teach you the basics of 120 western herbs with an Eastern perspective.  Learn to assess your physical conditions through the Traditional Chinese Medicine models.  Medicine Making, Flower Essences, Aromatherapy and Nutrition are just a few of the other classes.   Continue your training through a second and third year and develop clinical herbalism skills to assess and create herbal formulas for specific conditions.