What is Bodywork? An Introduction to the Different Types.
Work for my body? Huh. The basics of bodywork and why it feels so good.
Bodywork? It may sound foreign, but I promise you probably already do bodywork daily. There are many ways to continue engaging with bodywork and way to deepen your understanding, so let’s dive in! I’ll mention just a few. These are the few that I practice for myself and with my clients.
For those of you that don’t know me, I’m Kars (they/them). Hi! I’m a lifelong dancer, yoga teacher, and massage therapist. I’ve recently taped into the vast knowledge that surviving dance training and the performance industry has provided me. From anatomy, and injury prevention, to learning how to do things that make my body feel good, my time with my body has taught me so much. My biggest hope, dream, and fantasy is to share that with you in the queerest and most enjoyable way possible.
It’s important to note, before we dive in, that EVERY BODY (and everybody) IS DIFFERENT. What works for my body may not work for yours. It sounds cliche, but it’s a journey. The most beautiful things I’ve witnessed as a bodyworker happen when someone embraces the messiness and inconsistency yet remains present and available. Take a few deep breaths along the way, and you’re well on your way to discovering what feels good for you!
Bodywork is an umbrella term for anything somatic, physical, or energetic that we do to care for our bodies, usually through physically manipulating muscles, bones, skin, etc.
The mainstream way that we do this is massage. If you’ve ever taken a deep breath or cracked your knuckles, you’ve done bodywork. Congrats. Bodywork is right of yours just by existing within your body as it is. Bodywork is yours.
Massage Therapy
There are so many different types of massage therapy. For the purposes of this post and my current expertise, I’ll be discussing the types that I practice.
- Deep Tissue Massage —
I think deep-tissue massage often gets a bad rap. It is frequently discussed in a hyper-masculine way, with a “no pain, no gain” attitude. But the truth of the matter is that it DOES NOT HAVE TO HURT. Deep tissue massage can actually be extremely relaxing. It’s designed to target the overall tension within the receiver’s body. From my perspective, the pressure and goal of the treatment are entirely dictated by the needs of the receiver in communication with the massage therapist.
I personally did not receive a deep tissue massage until I showed up to be trained in deep tissue massage. The majority of what I knew was that growing up, my dad liked getting deep tissue treatments and that my mom did not. My childhood understanding was that “Dad enjoyed being sore the next day”. This idea never appealed to me. In fact, it scared me away from bodywork that would make it hurt for me to move. What was left out of my socialized education on deep tissue was that the soreness resulted from deep release! And the deepness of the release is dictated by the receiver.
While many clients request the elbows and knot-busting pressure when they show up for deep tissue, that isn’t its only function. It is entirely possible to use deep tissue strokes and techniques to relax and enjoy.
2. Holistic Massage —
In bodywork, ‘holistic’ refers to the idea that all the parts of the body, mind, and spirit are connected. Holistic massage takes a more relaxing approach to treating the body. In this way, it is very similar to ‘Swedish Massage’.
This style integrates treatment of the face, scalp, and stomach, which aren’t commonly treated in other types of massage (depending on the therapist).
My training encourages the therapist to never lose contact with the receiver, always having at least one hand on their body. This offers reassurance and comfort.
The design of this treatment flows from the back of the legs up to the hips and, back, scalp, rotating the client onto their back to treat to face, neck, arms, chest, abdomen, fronts of the legs, and feet. This path encourages relaxation and ultimately allows the therapist to treat the entire body without touching the bottoms of the feet until the end of the treatment. This way, the therapist doesn’t have to break contact to wash their hands before continuing to the next area of the body.
Holistic massage is a grounding and relaxing experience for both the practitioner and the receiver. It is a great starting point for those who have never had a massage or guided bodywork.
3. Pregnancy Massage —
Pregnancy massage is exactly what it sounds like. And it also happens to be my absolute favourite to practice.
Pregnancy massage is safe for pregnant people once they are in their second trimester. It is practised side lying so that it is safe and comfortable for both baby and baby grower. Pregnancy massage focuses on the overall relaxation and comfort of the baby grower.
Therapists are discouraged from using deep pressure and trigger point techniques, as there are more risks.
Pregnancy massage follows a similar flow to holistic massage and uses many similar techniques. Again, it is truly delightful to offer pregnant people the opportunity to rest.
Yoga
Yoga is an ancient Indian spiritual practice. The practice is now highly westernized, and the version that many are familiar with today is just a small part of the greater philosophy.
In yoga studios and on youtube, you’ll find people teaching ‘asana’. ‘Asana’ is the physical practice of yoga that is meant to help prepare the body to sit for long periods of meditation practice.
Yoga teaches us to pair the breath and movement of the body together.
Reiki
I am very new to Reiki as a practitioner. Reiki pairs beautifully with both massage and yoga. Reiki is energy work that utilizes the chakra system as a guide for healing and centring.
Reiki is super interesting, as it can be practised without touching and even at a distance. Reiki is even used to cleanse spaces, not just bodies and minds.
In a reiki or reiki massage session, the practitioner may ask the receiver questions like — how have you been feeling lately? do you have any intentions for today? This will help them identify the chakras to focus on based on their affiliations. It is highly intuitive and led by communication between the receiver and practitioner.
When receiving, many people say they feel a comforting warmth emanating from the hands and focus of the practitioner.
I use it with my massage clients at the start, end, and transitions within treatments. I find this allows for moments of connection and grounding to happen between the receiver and myself and the receiver and themself.
And endless more!
There are hundreds more, both ancient and budding practices, that exist to inform our relationships with our bodies.
