All things being equal, I have to admit that meditation might ultimately be a better option over massage, especially as a daily practice, even if the massage were available to you for free! Meditating on a regular basis has ENORMOUS value.
You see, here's the "rub" when it comes to massage...sometimes it's easier to opt for it because it lets someone else take care of you. Massage is somewhat passive. It allows you to be on the receiving end without having to expend much energy, effort or output. Even within a very interactive massage session, the fact remains that most of the work being done, is by the therapist, and not by you. By no means, however, is this fact meant to discount the health benefits that massage can generate. A recent study released by the National Institutes of Health corroborates that massage has numerous medical benefits. Its' effects are measurable and cumulative. For more details see the NY TIMES article published September 20, 2010.
Still, in most disciplines, a coach, trainer, or instructor may guide you, yet it is still up to you to create the activity. The work is done by you. That's not a bad thing! Your progress is measurably greater whenever you play a more active role in the process. Even with a massage, when the recipient performs his or her "homework" after the treatment, such as stretches, warm salt baths, hot packs, drinking water, to name but a few examples, the massage's effects are significantly enhanced. Being a therapist myself, I sometimes use my knowledge of massage and its' benefits as a metric for weighing the benefits of other modalities.
In the case of meditation, I believe it offers the potential for greater personal growth. Why? Well, just like any form of exercise, YOU have to take on the active role. An active role helps to create more momentum and the possibility for change. That's what a group of us embarked upon yesterday...
Last night, I attended our meditation class by Rick Repetti, along with a very engaging set of Natural Balance guests. Over the course of almost two hours, we practiced a variety of meditations using different techniques each time. Our first meditation exercise connected us to our body awareness and thought awareness. Our second meditation connected us to focus and attention. Our third meditation connected us to our breathing. Our fourth and final meditation connected us to our streams of consciousness. Prior to showing up at class, my day had been harried. I was completely frazzled, having juggled several work and family-related issues. As a result, I was running late for the class and I literally raced all the way to Natural Balance from home, just so I could arrive on time. I walked in, utterly breathless and totally wired! I was quite the mess.
After the very first meditation exercise, there came a huge shift. I was so super-mellow and physically ultra-relaxed, it occurred to me at that moment, as I was sitting there, that this is EXACTLY how I feel after a terrific massage! Meditation created the very same physiological responses within me that massage has achieved. I thought, "Wow, I just massaged my mind, and in so doing, I massaged my whole body, without ever being physically touched!"
With each successive meditation, the relaxation response became even deeper. I noticed that I felt no pain in my usual achy spots, that my legs were pleasantly tingling...my body was "humming", and my breathing was calm, deep and easy. I did not want to get up from my seat.
Clearly, I already knew the benefits of meditation, having practiced it before and having done Yoga too, in which meditation is an integral part of the class. Still, after not having practiced it for a while, yesterday's class was a very powerful reminder of how truly effective is the art of meditation. Admittedly, like some of our Natural Balance friends, I find that my other life activities sometimes get in the way of my practicing meditation, but this was a huge awakening for me, as to how much I had been missing by not keeping up with a daily 15-minute meditation. Mid-day always worked best for me; I now will be re-introducing this ritual back into my day, beginning with at least two to three times per week. My goal is to reach five, then eventually seven times per week. Will let you know how I do!
I heard a saying this week, that I think can be applied here, which is: "If nothing changes, nothing changes". Sounds so elementary and obvious, but this simple phrase stuck with me. Don't expect anything to change if you don't do anything to change it. It takes effort to get better and stay better. On a scale of things that are do-able, I think that daily meditation and attending the occasional meditation class is certainly one of the easier things to incorporate into our lives. It costs so little...it requires no equipment...it requires no special place...it just requires your willingness to do it.
If you want to improve your chances of living a fulfilling, enlightened, and balanced, healthy life for as long as possible, I strongly urge you to get your dose of mental massage and practice meditation. We can help you develop a meditation practice. Join us the next time we hold a session. Be sure you are signed into our private guest book and be on the lookout for announcements. After all, the evidence on the medical benefits of meditation is also overwhelmingly documented. What a great way to take charge of your well being.
What do you think? Have you ever tried meditation? How was it for you? We would enjoy hearing from you. Visit our Natural Balance Massage Facebook fan page and post your comments, questions, or ideas.
If you learned something, if you enjoyed this note, please take a moment to pass it on and share with at least one friend.
Peace and Health,
Linda Camarda
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