Truth: What I'm really thinking when I give a massage

I get this question a lot: what am I thinking about when I give a massage? In other words... how am I  judging the person OR Am I judging the person's body/self as you massage? Bodies come in all shapes and sizes and I believe one of the reasons I can focus on soft tissue manipulation and be effective is because of the way I naturally and technically approach the body.

It takes a personality that is comfortable with people in all their stages of life to work so closely with a wide variety of the population. Instead of seeing the superficial layer, I look at a person as a history both physically and mentally that I get to unravel through body work and informed touch. It's amazing to watch someone become more connected within their bodies and the complexity of the nervous system. Every time someone is touched, anti-inflammatories are released, mitochondria proliferate and endorphins flood the body http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/02/120201141710.htm . This visualization along with detailed knowledge of anatomy is what I'm really focused on.

But what you want to really know is do I pass judgment on people's bodies? The honest answer: not the way you think. I'm in the zone and I have a high tolerance for idiosyncrasies in the body- to put it nicely. I had corrective foot surgery on both feet as a teenager and generally I take people's flaws with interest and not so much judgment.

Biology sparks my curiosity and working directly with people's physical being allows me to experience this as a gift each and every time I lay my hands on someone. Usually the next question that follows is ...isn't this work exhausting? Although doing massage takes stamina, no matter how I feel I always feel pumped and positive after a session. It doesn't drain me. Physically a good work out, but mentally and emotionally awesome. I essentially get to meditate for hours each day and bring my clients into that world.