We all have something special we put out into the world, whether we teach yoga, make delicious food for our loved ones, or create art. There is something that you give regularly, and you do it because you love it and because it’s an innate gift within you that you have continued to cultivate over time.
A few years ago, I started studying the art of Thai yoga massage. I wanted to learn a method of bodywork that would allow more intimate contact with my clients, was closely tied to yoga, and had more to do with energy than muscle manipulation. I found it through Thai massage, and also, through that journey, found my favorite kind of massage to receive. For me, it’s the perfect combination of intense and soothing, putting me in deep states of relaxation that allow for serious physical and emotional release.
But here’s my confession: I rarely receive it. Here I am preaching self-care, yet how often am I receiving bodywork? (which I strongly believe you should, at least once a month!). I made it a New Year’s resolution to do just that, have a Thai session once a month, and I went for my first one of 2013 just a couple weeks ago.
The result…BLISS! Honestly, January was a rough month. Exciting and energizing, but emotionally draining with not nearly enough sleep. My masseuse smoothed out the kinks while releasing pent up tension, grief, anger, and stress. I didn’t want to leave! I felt so incredibly nurtured, like a cat being pet and comforted. It was heavenly. I came home and passed out for two hours in the middle of the afternoon.
Blissful stretch from my teacher Song in Thailand.
Beyond just feeling good though, it inspired me! I give Thai yoga massage regularly. I consider it my duty, as a channel of this incredible work, to receive it so I can feel in my body what I am helping others to feel in theirs. The session I had with a client the very next day was the best session I’ve had in recent memory. Incredibly fluid, my intuitive connection to his body and energy greatly elevated, and best of all I felt so much freedom to be creative with the work I was giving. There was no need to follow a specific formula, all I had to do was follow his body and be guided. Afterwards, we both felt great. He said he felt incredibly balanced. So did I.
So I invite you to make a point of receiving what you give and put it in your schedule! If I hadn’t made an appointment for that day and time, I probably would have skipped out and missed out on a great opportunity to nurture myself and my passion. If there is something that you love to do and want to amplify your talent, surround yourself with it often. Want to be a writer? Read amazing literature. An artist? Go to galleries. A yoga teacher? Go to class! Yes, we must do the work on our own, but we must also receive so we can experience what it is we put out into the world, then add our own uniquely wonderful touch that is our gift.
Please share below what it is that you give and how you ensure that you also receive. How do you stay inspired and keep new ideas flowing in? Or if this is a new concept to you, what commitment will you make to yourself to ensure that you are also receiving what you are giving? Thank you for sharing! Your voice matters and solidifies your promise to yourself.
Enjoy your talents,
Sasha
Tagged: bodywork, gift, give, giving, inspiration, inspire, New Year's Resolution, receive, receiving, Self-Care, talent, Thai Yoga Massage
Such an inspiring and timely posting. As a yoga teacher and thai massage therapist, I know the importance of this. I take class twice a week from other teachers, go to workshops as often as I can and receive body work once a week. Sometimes I do not receive specifically the thai work as often as I want, but fortunately I live somewhere where there are 4 other thai practitioners and they are part of my tribe. To give the work you must receive the work. To keep yourself flowing outward you must keep filling the cup. Thanks Sasha. Big love to you and I can’t wait to work on you again sometime soon.
I love this, Sasha! One of the things I do all the time is cook — I love doing it so much that I often deny myself the pleasure of going out to eat. Recently I had a beautiful vegetarian meal from Café Gratitude and it inspired me to cook some dishes I’d never made before. As I tried to “copy” the dishes, I could feel self-doubt coming in: How can I cook without a recipe? Would this taste as good as the restaurant version? Would it be too bland for my carnivorous husband to enjoy? But I let go of all that and let my intuition guide me. The meal turned out fantastic, and I had such a sense of accomplishment for going outside my comfort zone and listening to my inner voice. (My husband even said it tasted better than Café Gratitude’s!) Now I can see that eating out isn’t lazy or indulgent… it can be exciting and inspiring, too.
Yes Patty, that is exactly what I’m talking about! It’s not indulgent, it only adds to out ability to give and give better. In fact, a major inspiration for this article had to do with food. The movie I recommended a couple newsletters back, Jiro Dreams of Sushi, the sushi chef Jiro says something along the lines of, “You can’t make great food unless you taste great food.” I thought yes! I have an exceptional yoga teacher. I must also explore the wealth of Thai massage offerings in LA so I can taste the greats and know what works best. It fuels the passion and inspires creativity in every way. Now I want to taste your delicious vegan dish!