What’s in the name METAbodyWORKS? What’s does the design of our logo mean? META is a system of bodywork designed for the modern Westerner. According to Free Dictionary by Farlex, meta-, prefix meaning 1 "change or exchange": metabasis, metallaxis, metamorphosis. 2 "after or next": metachemical, metapneumonic, metapsychics. We see the word bodyWORKS in the name, according to Free Online Medical Dictionary, Thesaurus and Encyclopedia: 1. bodywork /body·work/ (-wurk″) a general term for therapeutic methods that center on the body for the promotion of physical health and emotional and spiritual well-being, including massage, various systems of touch and manipulation, relaxation techniques, and practices designed to affect the body's energy flow. 2. bodywork, n 1. a collection of techniques for restoring health and balance to the entire person by working through the body. 2. to apply any number and combination of the therapeutic touch paradigms that have been developed. Therefore, bodywork refers to the “work” we do to your body in order to speed recovery from injuries, optimize posture, remove energetic blockages, and help you integrate Mind/Body/ Spirit. It is our commitment at METAbodyWORKS to keep evolving and to never be caught using stagnant thinking, while at the same time understanding that our system of bodywork, comes from an ancient tradition. We also see in the logo: a circle, square, and triangle - homage to Sengai (Japanese Zen Buddhist 1750-1837). He was the first to paint this symbol in the Zen tradition which poetically represents the Universal Principles: ( : the four elements, earthly objective world) (Δ: Sacred Enclosure / Bodies, Trinity- Mind/body/Spirit) (○: motion of Planets, timelessness, symmetry) Together they make up the basic geometry of the body. Within the three shapes we have Japanese characters of Sui Ko Do: massage ancient people’s - Way. Suikodo is a form of Shiatsu, developed by my teacher, Master Mitsuki Kikkawa through years of teaching and clinical experience. After his passing, Kikkawa Sensei left behind a complete system of bodywork. The “ ancient people’s way” to treat the most stubborn conditions uses a meridian treatment that works on the Kyo / Jitsu (Yin / Yang) with Amate / Karate (Hard and Soft) techniques. Like Calligraphy, Bodywork is an art form. Awareness, breath control and therapeutic touch can only be developed through years of experience. Similarly, seeking balance/harmony with colours and brushstrokes, it also requires a strong sense of concentration and focus. Creativity is the integration of spiritual understanding with the appropriate use of knowledge. Emerge in the body, Balance with the Mind, Thrive in Spirit.
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Wat Pho - Bangkok, Thailand
Would you believe me if I told you a form of Thai massage has existed since the beginning of the Hindu culture? It has been documented in ancient script as old as the Rig Vedas (“rig”praise, verse; “Vedas” knowledge). This text was composed around 1700-1100 BC. It wasn’t until the time of the famous Buddha, Siddharta Gautama, yogic massage became known as Thai massage. It was the Buddha’s most revered physician, Jivaka Kumarbhaccha, who blended the simplistic Ayurvedic science (see Metabodyworks: Thai Massage and Ayurvedic Medicine- June 2013) with yoga and massage. The Ayurvedic system uses body types to diagnose conditions, whereby they would prescribe a self-care plan. Its main focus is preventative care. Massage became the main healing tool in these traditional “clinics”, where there was no need to cut through skin, allowing the body to heal naturally rather than aggressively. The Thai Buddhist temples (wat) plays a major role in the development of Thai Massage. It became the central healing center for Thais. The most famous institution today is in Bangkok, Wat Pho, it is the leading researcher and practice of Thai massage. There are 2 schools of Thai massage in Thailand: the North (The Old Medical Hospital- Chiang Mai) and the South (Wat Pho- Bangkok). They can be seen as the Yang and the Yin. The north school is more dynamic using mainly palming and thumbing techniques, where the practitioner’s bodyweight moves through the arms and gradually the weight goes into the recipient. This detoxifies the recipient’s energy lines (nerve pathways). The south’s yin style uses a plucking motion. The fingers are used in a strumming fashion to stimulate the nerves along the energy lines. Today, you can find many schools teaching a combination of both styles. “Education is the kindling of a flame, not the filling of a vessel.” - Socrates What is Ayurvedic medicine? It is a medical system that has been practiced in India for several centuries. It dates back as far as 3000 BCE and found in the Rig Veda (old Hindu Scripture). “Ayur” means life, and “veda” means science. Therefore, Ayurveda means “the science of life”. In India, it is considered a preventative health practice and long-term wellness based on different body types. Ayurveda has evolved today in Thailand as a distinctive folk medicine. The relationship between Ayurveda and Thai Massage goes as far back to Buddha’s time. Jivaka Kumarbhaccha, the founding father of Thai massage, was a revered physician to the Buddha. He combined the Ayurvedic system with Thai massage allowing him to perform medical feats and cures that can be read about in all Buddhist scripture. We never think about the different ways we self-medicate ourselves. We plow through life without thinking about how our lifestyle, food and exercise affect our body, mind and soul. It is important that we acknowledge the imbalances that influence us, only then can we see how the integration of Thai massage and Ayurveda can help us achieve a higher state of harmony. Since we are all different, we cannot apply the same conditions on everyone; we have an individual freedom of choice. In Ayurvedic theory, the elements (earth, water, fire, air, and ether) combine in our bodies to create our unique Ayurvedic “fingerprint”. They are seen as the human tendencies in our body and nature. Together, the elements mingle to form the three vital forces which exist in everything. In Sanskrit, they are called the “tridoshas”, meaning: the three doshas; vata, pitta, and kapha. Each dosha has a combination of primary and secondary elements; it is analogous to a clay pot. The primary element is the content within the pot, and the secondary element is the container itself. Vata (air + ether) = nervousness Pitta (fire + water) = passion Kapha (water + earth) = inactivity Therefore, someone who is a “kapha” body type would generally have a large frame, stocky, with well-developed muscles, soft skin and wavy hair, and tend to be overweight. Their primary element is water which is reflected in their easygoing and fun loving personality. While their secondary element, earth is reflected in their heavy build relating to food and they also tend to be heavy sleepers (another earthy quality!). Vata types air element is reflected in their physical thin, light frame and wiry build. Due to the lack of water in their constitution, they tend to have erratic appetites and irritable bowel syndrome. Vata are also sensitive in nature; they are prone to anxiety and emotional insecurity. Pitta types are governed by fire. They have a fiery and passionate temperament. Professional athletes are great examples of pitta people. They can be aggressive and competitive, which can drive them to become workaholics and be overly ambitious. They are also prone to burnouts if they are not careful and can be easily angered. How does this relate to Thai massage? Because of our different body types, we hold different forms of tension and it begins to accumulate in different areas of the body. Therefore, each type has a different massage “touch” approach and stretching. Vata people would be approached with a light and gentle massage, with less pressure. Since they have a sensitive nature, a light touch helps to ground, calm and balance the body. Forward bends, inwardly directed postures and breathing exercises are best suited for this type. Pitta people need moderate pressure. Because of their fire nature, they need something penetrating and cooling. Sitting and lying postures, squatting, and downward movement of the abdomen are best suited for this type. Kapha people need strong pressure because of their “stuck” to earth nature. They would need something heavy, deep and fast. Opening and clearing of the energy is the main focus. Dynamic movements of raised hands/legs, and inverted poses are best suited for this type. With this knowledge, a Thai Massage Practitioner can customize a massage routine based on your individual body type; making the healing process effective and balanced. “You are not the elements that make up the body, you are that which makes use of the elements.” Buddha Why is it we seek for help when problems become out of control? When we have a financial crisis we seek an accountant or financial adviser; when we are having relationship trouble we seek a counselor/therapist. When it comes to our cars, we see our mechanics for major breakdowns.
What happens when we experience pain in our bodies? We go to a Western medical professional.... and most of the time, we are prescribed medication. But what if we are looking for a different solution, something drug-free? One can have tests done to rule out any insidious conditions, and experience many side-effects from these tests. Or they will recommend exercise and a healthy eating habit or seek guidance from a physiotherapist/chiropractor. Approaching a Western medical professional for an alternative solution is like asking an accountant to fix a tire. If we want to live a pill-free life and save money on future health costs, we need to acknowledge our life habits. From my experience in massage therapy, I’ve witnessed how good habits prevent muscular-skeletal pain and crisis. The first major lifestyle changes my clients make are diet and exercise. They’ve cultivated a new sense of awareness; no longer do they ignore the effects of bad habits - everything that affects the body is accounted for. Stretching is undervalued in our self-care. It is simple - a daily routine of stretching can prevent numerous incidents of body pain and trauma (such as: herniated vertebras, dislocated joints, ruptured tendons, etc.). Stretching for 1.5 minutes or more for each posture begins to work the connective tissue that interconnects the entire body, allowing muscles, nerves, and blood vessels room to breathe. Through my 8+ years of experience I know that massage/bodywork is more effective to prevent trauma and improve performance. I’ve helped many people who suffer from chronic pain experience a new sense of freedom. A health care routine without massage may be enough to stop pain, but, a regimen including bodywork can actually reverse the disease process by eliminating their causes and potential effects. The old saying still remains true "an ounce of prevention, is worth a pound of cure". In other words, a small daily dose of effort (stretching, self massage, deep breathing, not eating another pastry) is better than getting plantar fasciitis (lasts more than 6 mo.), Sciatica (cyclical nerve pain), and Diabetes. |
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