For most of my career, my professional persona could be described as a series of behaviors I refer to as Mama Gaia Reya. Grounded, patient, tolerant - in Mama Gaia Reya mode I make time and space for my clients, time for their aches and pains and all the stress that's a part of living in this crazy moment in history. I make space for healing by layering on the creature comforts: two fleece table pads, a table warmer, LL Bean flannel sheets and soft blankets, fluffy pillows and essential oils and music playlists designed specifically for my clients. I light candles, switch off most of the lights and pull the blinds, creating a nest-like space in which my clients can completely relax (if they're so inclined.) I think of Mama Gaia Reya as a wonderful facet of the three-dimensional me. I feel proud I can channel that, and provide the sumptuous space. I do.
But lately I've been seriously considering an invitation, from the Sufi acupuncturist, to share work space in his downtown office. For a long time I've wondered how I might design my life so as to get off the Hill occasionally. It's harder to leave the village than you might imagine. I've tried various work situations, none of which wowed me into continuing. This is why I've hesitated to accept the invitation even though I'm flattered as hell that the Sufi acupuncturist considers me a suitable colleague.
There's no point in trying to duplicate downtown what I've cultivated here at the chateau. No way it will ever feel as cozy and nurturing, as peaceful and healing as Chateau Seven, my massage studio. But then it occurred to me that people downtown in the middle of the workday might not actually need to get all greasy and spaced out halfway through their day. Office workers need to get out of the office sometimes so they can clear their heads, breathe, get some blood moving, gather their wits about them. They need to return to work refreshed, alert and ready to take on the piles of paper on their desks. Actually I'm certain the work is probably in their computers, but imagining a stack of files is much more compelling, don't you think?
My idea is to schedule half-hour sessions in which I'll do a combination of Shi'atsu, passive stretching, compressions, breathwork, myofacial release and Reiki. I'd like to engage them in the process. What I mean is I'll have them flex and relax the muscles on which I'm doing release work, do various kinds of breathing, that sort of thing. I might even lead them in guided meditations, teach them how to calm themselves. I can't imagine Mama Gaia Reya working in this way, but I can see Sargent Gaia Reya kicking their butts in gear then sending them out the door ready to take on the world.
Of course I'm exaggerating about kicking their butts. I think I am. And who knows if this will convince them they can take on the world? If I decide to go forward with this, it won't happen until summer hence I have time to work with this technique, get a few willing guinea pigs here to see how they like the treatment.
In celebration of the new healing persona, I went out into the garden after work today, ripped a bunch of ivy off the stone walls of my beloved chateau. It felt so good!
You never know what's going to happen next. At least I never do. Onwards and upwards indeed. Shalom.
10 comments:
the painted and rusted curls of the gate so like swans . . . and so it is with your work . . . i would so very wish for so many people in my life to be able to wander into a space prepared by you to be cared for and then released not so much to take on the world as to work with it! steven
I love you, Steven.
When I worked in Sarasota we had a massage therapist who came to the office each week, and I loved getting brief chair massages from her. (I think they were 15 minutes, but they might have been 1/2 hour?) Anyway, cubicle dwellers will relish attention from you, Reya, regardless of how you decide to provide it!
would this be a full time switch? no more hour long massages in the womb of Gaia Reya? Perhaps you could do both? woo. lot's of changes in the air.
It sounds like you've got a plan that could help a lot of people feel great. Go for it!
I think that people who feel they are otherwise too busy or whatever to get a massage would absolutely love it, especially the 30 minute part and the not having to spend time getting undressed and dressed again. And they'd still have time to grab a quick bite to eat afterwards.
OK so onwards with the planning.
It wouldn't be full time or anything close to that - just one afternoon per week. The rest of the time I'll continue to do the Mama Gaia Reya thing. Variety is the spice of life!
Go for it.
Ps the photo of the row houses is sublime.
I agree with the others. A whole new aspect of what you do. New paths, M'dear, new paths.
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