BRIDGING THE GAP BETWEEN BODYWORK AND MOVEMENT
By Coach Lacey
Approximate Reading Time: 4-5min
I have the privilege of working at two very special places in our local community- Restore Human and Halsa Spa. At Restore Human our mantra is “strength, grace, and resiliency”, zooming in on physical literacy, natural movement, and connecting our clients back to nature. At Halsa we offer infrared saunas, float tanks, a space for meditation, energy, and bodywork. It is a sacred space for deep healing and spiritual growth. Halsa and Restore Human flow beautifully together as we ultimately share the same vision: to meet people where they are at and merge the mind-body connection.
I believe that when these two worlds collide they can be very powerful. When combined, they offer a full spectrum of energetic, mental, physical, and emotional healing. My experience being both a bodyworker at Halsa and a movement coach at Restore Human, the most profound results occur when both practices are consistently utilized and fully integrated into the clients lifestyle.
Integration can be defined as: “a coordination of mental processes into a normal effective personality or with the environment”. Essentially, we are actively receiving and processing the information revealed during our session and intentionally molding it into how we now perceive ourselves, the world, and our role in it.
BRIDGING THE GAP
These two practices at Restore Human and Halsa are extremely complimentary. Once an imbalance is discovered either through a bodywork or training session, it can then be assessed and fully addressed on both spectrums. This is successfully executed by our skilled practitioners using effective bodywork modalities (i.e. fascial work, trigger point therapy, craniosacral therapy, energy healing, etc.) and Restore Human’s methodology.
The coaches at Restore Human bring an extremely high level of knowledge, curiosity, adaptability, intuition, expertise, and motivation to our clients. Each coach offers something unique, whether it is self-defence, boxing, chronic pain management, running, or Wim Hof breathing techniques, enabling numerous client demographics to be met.
Understanding our clients current physical disposition helps our coaches structure their overall training program. This includes acknowledging specific factors such as the current state of their nervous system, quality of sleep, emotional wellbeing, and general tension patterns. This can be further supported by bodywork. However, if there is a fundamental structural imbalance, it should be addressed via movement first so bodywork becomes more effective long-term.
The wonderful thing about our bodyworkers at Halsa is that each practitioner works beyond the physical. We have a blend of bodyworkers who place extra attention on specific elements such as the nervous system, trauma, breath, energetics to help move any emotional blockages. We hold space for any physical, energetic, or emotional release that may happen on the table and honour that experience.
After a release, this is a valuable time to encourage mindful movement over the course of their integration period. Whatever was felt or released can evolve into a full somatic experience through movement. This practice can call for low-tone or high-tone movement, depending on what their body is needing.
Furthermore, having hands-on touch and a curious approach to the human body can lead to numerous discoveries that are often missed visually. We can be unaware of certain areas of tension in our bodies until someone has started to work on it. This newly found body awareness paired with physical literacy is what deepens our mind-body connection.
Looking at the philosophysical lens of each of our clients, we often compare the two on a neurological basis. Halsa being the softer, afferent information and Restore being the structured, efferent information. For example, bodywork sends information to your nervous system to release, expand, let go, and move into a parasympathetic state. Where on an efferent level, you are adding force into tissue, increasing joint mobility, muscle strength, elasticity, and so on, while following a structured program at Restore Human. This can otherwise be understood as a form of eustress. With the two combined, you have now created a new neural circuitry of positive feedback loops for you to integrate and enjoy.
TAKEAWAY
So why is a mind-body connection important? I always like to say that when we have healthy people, we have a healthy planet. When you feel grounded, supported, motivated, playful, challenged, purposeful, and confident, a multitude of doors will open for you. Understanding your mind, body, and spirit will do this. Maybe that new discovery about yourself led you to try something new? And maybe that new thing had a positive impact on not only yourself but numerous other people as well?
Humans need some form of connection- I can confidently say that you will find that at Restore Human and Halsa Spa. Sometimes we need to feel held, and other times we need to sweat it out. Or sometimes we need to dive deep so we can move with ease. Whatever the remedy is for you, I encourage you to find it.
Creating an intentional integration practice of this new discovery will evolve into new positive experiences. These experiences become our present reality leading to more elated emotions. These elevated emotions, such as joy, can heighten curiosity and play. Ultimately, by learning how to play again we can rediscover the spirit of ourselves. This newly found confidence can lead to increased resiliency and tools that support our ability to move through trauma and adversity, enabling us to enjoy the full spectrum of life.
“After breaking my knee and exhausting my options with physio and doctors, I surrendered to the fact that I would have to live in a constant state of pain. However, I wanted to get fit again and try something new. That is when I found Restore Human and started training with Kesh based on a recommendation. I was amazed at how quickly I was able to walk and get back to normal life without experiencing pain. Soon after that I was able to engage in the activities I love, such as skiing, cycling, and hiking.
Being active and participating in sports all my life, this was an important milestone for me. I also learned that muscle strength is only a single part of the equation, as mobility is equally as important. With increased muscle strength and mobility, I was able to push my limits without getting injured. Through this time of working with Kesh he kept recommending that I get “bodywork” due to working in a stressful environment. I was very reluctant as my previous experience with an RMT resulted in me tightening up and having an increase in tension and pain, so it was not a very enjoyable experience. I reluctantly went to see Lacey, only expecting to go in for one session and never go back just as I had done before. To my surprise, it was the best experience I have ever had- she was able to make me feel relaxed and release muscles that have been tight for as long as I could remember. I came out of the session feeling like a new person. That night I had one of the best sleeps of my life, and for being an insomniac, that means a lot!
The next day during my training session with Kesh, I noticed some very interesting results from the previous evening’s bodywork session. My grip strength had dramatically increased and I no longer needed to use wristbands to hold onto the bar. On top of that, my personal best for deadlifting had also increased significantly. Due to my consistent work with Kesh and Lacey, I continue to notice a steady improvement in both my overall strength and mobility helping me reach my goals at a quicker more sustainable rate and live an overall pain-free life. ”
