The greatest happiness sometimes comes from experiencing discomfort !

Having recently shared time in the car with some very insightful students, (airport transfer) our conversation soon centered around the idea of reaching happiness through discomfort. This inspired me to write a blog on the subject. Growing up with sports and gymnastics, I always considered massage a tool to manipulate muscles. However, after being involved in massage courses here at High Spirits Retreat, for more than 30 years, I see the profound healing that can come from guiding a client's emotional responses to physical touch toward a state of happiness, even if the experience during the massage is uncomfortable.

This is how some of our students facilitate emotional releases by their students:

Toot Toot

Hi Jorgen Sorensen, fantastic subject. I’d be inclined to say as a trauma informed bodyworker that I help co-regulate the clients Nervous system through breath so that the body goes into parasympathetic response to enable deep relaxation and healing. Rest and digest.

Belinda Bailey

With the breath, with the voice, with the energy exchange and a gentle shift in focus…instead of guiding them towards happiness, I to guide them towards expression.

When we are able to express ourselves freely and fully, allowing our emotions to flow…this is where the moment of healing is.

It’s in the letting go, creating space for the magic and joy of the next moment to be truly felt

Dorthe Broeng

Hi Jørgen love Your writing personally I stay focused on being in my heart expanding and allowing every emotion- body sensation or thought to arise and expand and just BR - without fixing or judging anything- just being present and resonating with the love of my heart

Lorelie Luna Ladiges

The reassurance that everything in this space and time is where the healing will stay. I ask to let the emotions flow and for the words come through : shits permitted, fucks allowed, snots can drip, eyes can weep, I'll guide the breathing.

Kylie Myrrh

The breath , kind words, touching with Love or maybe some space just to let the emotion out & to feel what it is,, & where & then guidance on healing it through music , touch , Angels ., prayer

Daniela Gava

I facilitate their healing with a loving touch, I honour their body, I am present, I connect to my heart space, to the source.

Alyssa Maughan

I'm going to say it really depends on the client. Some will really be open to working through emotions with you, and some won't even realise they have so much buried within their energy. I make the entire bodywork experience a dialogue, sometimes verbal, sometimes not, but always with the person not * for* them so much, because that gives the power of healing back to the person.

Laurette Lubbers

I've learned it's a lot less about 'doing'... and more about just 'being'.

With that i mean just being there with an energy that welcomes every tear, every dribbly nose, every groan, every swear word, "let it all out" is what i think, project, perhaps softly mumble.

There's often the urge to hug the person. Not saying that's a bad thing but that can also stifle or shorten their response.

Seonaid Boyle

Hi Jorgen Sorensen my take on the experience, is that people just need to be heard. They have their own answers. Every time without fail. We don’t need to do any healing, we just need to listen deeply and hold the space for the healing to come. Whether this be muscular or emotional it’s all connected. People just need that person who can hold that space to allow them to be. It’s really that simple. Safe space to be honest without judgement. To bring to consciousness what needs to be acknowledged. Touch is powerful. We are built to receive it. It’s the safest we feel if it is done right - the magic of bodywork - intimacy.

We just forget it’s importance.

So in answer to your question i support a client by listening ,openly, allowing, not trying to fix or give advice , but just simply listening. To them to their body. And giving insights as I’m guided to do for their growth

Roger Curtis

I’ll often say. I award points for swearing but none for suffering so if something hurts I’d love you to swear. In fact your mother sent a note with you today giving you permission to swear.

I offer bonus points if the swearing is in a language other than English with a translation.