Smells and Bells

Anyone who has met my dad would be surprised to know that some of his closest friends are women who practice all kinds of movement and touch therapy. His friend Celine is a massage therapist in addition to being certified in reiki. I grew up with her making house calls and giving my family different soaps and products for healing and wellness. His other friend Traca is a yoga instructor and energy healer who works with both of us to strengthen our bodies and spirits. She told me about Kripalu, a yoga and wellness center in Western Massachusetts, and encouraged me to go. And so when Elizabeth Robinson came into class, saying I was excited was an understatement- this was material that I was very familiar with and excited by. I have always been a big supporter of the healing power of massage and reiki, and have hoped to incorporate these more natural remedies into my own practice after college. Kripalu in the summer Elizabeth Robinson's passion for JourneyDance surprised me b...

I have received one professional massage in my life. It was while I was on vacation in the Galapagos, and it was a part of the cruise deal we got. I am a notoriously stingy person, so the idea of shelling out money for a massage is tough for me to deal with, because I feel like I can spend the money on something physical and substantial instead. The massage therapist speaker, however, made me revisit this idea. I was pretty nervous before the massage actually, which was pretty funny. I had no idea what to expect, I was afraid the woman wouldn't speak English and then I wouldn't know what to do, or that I would tip an incorrect amount due to the cultural differences. My mind was going a mile a minute. In hindsight, this was a giant waste of energy because the entire purpose of the experience was to relax, but once I walked into the room, the anxiety dissipated. I walked in and laid down on the table, and this kind old Ecuadorian lady began her work. I was surprised to find t...