Meditation and massage are two practices that can work together to promote relaxation and overall well-being. They can compliment each other effectively.
Meditation works to calm the mind. We are spirit souls in essence and the mind is actually a material aspect of our being. Our mind can either be a friend or an aggravating nuisance to our peace and well being. If we practice meditation on a regular basis, our mind becomes quiet, and we are better able to relax and benefit from our massage treatments.
There are several types of meditation, and in this day and age, some methods are more beneficial than others. These days the world is so filled with quarrel, chaos and confusion, it is very difficult to sit quietly in silent meditation. Our minds are very busy with thoughts, with distractions by other people, by other living things such as pets or pesky insects, or perhaps our bodies become uncomfortable and we are constantly shifting or scratching.
The recommended method of meditation in this day and age is called mantra meditation. In this method one repeats a mantra, either out loud or to oneself, and this allows us to focus. As our mind wanders, we can return our attention to the sound of the mantra. This practice can be done while sitting, lying down, or even walking. There are no hard and fast rules as to how we perform this practice.
The three recommended methods of mantra meditation include a deep breathing practice called Gauranga breathing where we sit quietly in a comfortable position while taking slow deep breaths, thinking of the mantra Gauranga as we inhale and then saying the mantra slowly as we exhale. We can repeat this for 10 or 15 minutes in the morning or in the evening after a long day. This simple practice will calm the mind and bring a great feeling of peace, removing our worries and anxieties.
Next is Japa meditation. In this method we use a set of beads. We hold the beads between our thumb and middle finger and use the beads as a counter for the number of times we repeat a mantra. The string contains 108 beads and we move from one bead to the next as we repeat the entire mantra on each bead.
And finally there is Kirtan Meditation. This is a call and response practice that is practiced in a group setting. One person leads the meditation by singing the mantra as everyone else listens, then everyone repeats what they've heard as the leader listens.
If you are interested in joining a session of Kirtan, or if you are interested in learning the three methods of Mantra Meditation, there are groups that offer free classes and who practice Kirtan in public settings.
With a regular practice of meditation to calm the mind, our body is better able to relax. And with a relaxed body and mind, the benefits of massage therapy increase.
There are different types of massage that can promote relaxation, relieve muscle tension, and improve overall well-being. These include Swedish massage which is a full body massage, also referred to as Relaxation Massage. Or if you are experiencing tight or sore muscles, you may choose Deep Tissue Massage and/or Trigger Point Therapy which will loosen tight muscles, improving your range of motion and reduce any inflammation around the tense areas. Other massage therapies which enhance the above choices include Myofascial Release Therapy and Reflexology.
All of these methods of massage therapy are available at Big Oaks Massage. To book an appointment please go to our online booking page.
We look forward to seeing you!
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