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March 02, 2006
Un/sexy naked massage
My midweek is set up to be crazy for the foreseeable future... today I accompanied a client to his acupuncture session in the morning, worked chair massage at Zubio from 11:30 to 4:00, had dinner with Des, and worked my first shift at Eros, from 5:30 to 10:30.
Starting next week, Thursday will be private clients during the day, and then work at the bookstore at night. Same for Tuesday.
I'm doing ok... although now I know why people drink. I get home from working all day and all I want is a dirty martini. oK, so I wanted one AT work. I had carrot cake instead, which isn't necessarily all that different. So I need to find better ways to take care of myself, so I can continue showing up 100%, especially for my private practice clients.
Anyway, Eros.
I had two clients, which was damn decent, in my book, for my first shift on a slow night. Hopefully it will pick up as people get used to me being there every week and I build a clientele. Plus not every Wednesday will be slow.
The massages were un/sexy: unsexy in that they are strictly non-sexual, therapeutic massage sessions; sexy in that I did notice sexual thoughts & energy come up for me more than usual. Very interesting.
We learned in school what to do about that—acknowledge and allow it, which facilitates the movement of the energy through and out of us, while remembering that we have a choice as to whether or not we act on what we are experiencing inside. Own it, so as to shield the client from it; we can clear it on our own, we don't need the client's help or involvement for that.
Honestly, it's never been much of a problem at school or in my private practice. When I notice sexual feelings, that's fine, it doesn't freak me out, and I get on with my work. I think this may have had something to do simply with the environment and not being accustomed to it. I'm sure it will wear off all too soon and what now seems a bit titillating will soon seem anything but.
Despite the "challenges," I did some great work and may get a regular client out of it. Eros is a fun place to work... naked men running around, co-worker banter, etc... if you're into that sort of thing ;-)
Customers are looking for the standard Swedish/deep tissue full body mush & mash, and that's ok. I meet 'em where they're at, and find out if and where they're looking to learn more. The great thing is, it's hard to receive regular massage and not grow in bodily awareness and thus grow in sophistication as a bodywork consumer. Even if what that looks like for an individual is the knowledge from experience that Swedish/deep tissue is what really works best for them.
By the way. The acupuncture appointment was great; the acupuncturist was great. She didn't dumb it down for me, she answered all my questions, gave me her phone number to talk more. She treated me like an ally, and her caring for our client was clear. She brought up Paul Pitchford's book—loves it—so I mentioned that I studied with him at Heartwood; she's interested in my Whole Foods Support Group project.
Having a Chinese diagnosis will be very helpful in session strategy. I could ask more of my clients to go get one. Or I could just go to Chinese medical school myself. Maybe someday. Before or after Somatic Psychology? I'm most interested in the mental/emotional/spiritual aspects of acupuncture and Chinese medicine anyway.
I think where I'm going next, though, is bed.
Posted by Josh A. at March 2, 2006 01:00 AM
Comments
o please. you're coming to acu school eventually! you know you are:) its awesome
Posted by: laura at March 2, 2006 07:26 AM