A couple of years ago, Nathalie and I facilitated a workshop called Healing Hands: Using Touch with Partner and Children for Healing, Connection, and Presence Practice. What came to mind for me as we worked together to come up with the content for the class was how simple and obvious it was to talk about the healing impact of touch, but how little time we take to actually do it.
We referenced the 9 Principles of Breema Bodywork to help us deliver the idea of being in a certain energetic state prior to giving someone a massage or any kind of bodywork. See below 👇 for a summary of the principles.
With the fear of spreading the COVID-19 virus, we’ve become fearful of getting too close to each other. But if we know that we don’t have the virus and know we won’t spread it, it’s more important than ever to offer each other loving touch 💛. It helps soothe worried minds, ease anxious bodies and release tension in the muscles – all things that cause pain in our bodies. And if you’ve ever had pain in your body, you know that it takes you away from being present with your kids, from being thoughtful of others, having compassion for someone in need, or simply enjoying a walk on a beautiful sunny day.
Next time you have an opportunity to massage or provide healing touch to a family member or friend, consider the principles of Body Comfortable, No Extra, Firmness and Gentleness, Full Participation (one of my favorites), Mutual Support, No Judgment, Single Moment/Single Activity, No Hurray/No Pause, and No Force. To learn more about these concepts, check out the Breema Bodywork Website.
Body Comfortable
When we look at the body, not as something separate, but as an aspect of a unified whole, there is no place for discomfort.
No Extra
To express our true nature, nothing extra is needed.
Firmness and Gentleness
Real firmness is always gentle. Real gentleness is always firm. When we are present, we naturally manifest firmness and gentleness simultaneously.
Full Participation
The most natural way of moving and living is with full participation. Full participation is possible when body, mind, and feelings are united in a common aim.
Mutual Support
The more our Being participates, the more we are able to support life and recognize that Existence supports us. Giving and receiving support take place simultaneously.
No Judgment
The atmosphere of nonjudgment gives us a taste of acceptance of ourselves as we are in the moment. When we come to the present, we are free from judgment.
Single Moment/Single Activity
Each moment is new, fresh, totally alive. Each moment is an expression of our true nature, complete by itself.
No Hurry/No Pause
In the natural rhythm of life energy, there is no hurry and no pause.
No Force
When we let go of assumptions of separation, we let go of force.
