What Can You Expect from a Bodywork Session?

If you're a little nervous for your first bodywork session with Missy, you are not alone!

Reading this blog can help you prepare your expectations so you can walk into the session confident and able to "turn off your mind" and just relax - perhaps the hardest part of the session.

Some of my students have NEVER had bodywork done before working with me. Some of my students are massage connoisseurs. And still others have only tried cheap massage chains or other similar experiences, but have never gotten high-quality "targeted" bodywork done for a specific imbalance; or have never used bodywork as a methodology for trauma-release.

So as part of our commitment high quality treatment, I wanted to take the time to educate you, my student, on what you can expect during a therapeutic bodywork session with TBI and how our services are different than some other massage experiences you might have had.

Let me start by saying upfront that TBI is NOT:

• a cheap massage chain.
• a spa environment.
• a chiropractor's office or physical therapy mill

No shade thrown at these types of establishments (they all have their place and purpose in society). But that's not who TBI is or what we do. And so that's why we have our own pricing model and structure; and also have our own specific system for offering therapeutic bodywork.

While the session itself with a high level of personal attention to detail might indeed feel "luxurious" and comparable to what you'd expect from a high-end spa, our primary specialties and focus are to leverage evidence-based therapeutic bodywork to address a specific goal or imbalance in your body, to release trauma, to complement other session's modalities (like mobility and sovsex coaching) holistically.

We are also unique in that we provide specialized somatic/movement education, sexuality coaching, and offer bodywork either as a standalone service or in combination with these other services within a Personalized Treatment Plan. That way, students can have the most flexibility possible in getting the kind of treatment they want, without having to worry about budgeting for different modalities.

The 6 Stages of Each Bodywork Session

TBI strives to create a truly holistic bodywork experience that treats and addresses the whole person: mind, body and spirit.

Meaning, every time that you come in for a therapeutic bodywork session at TBI, you will be guided through a professionally-designed session experience with multiples steps specifically catered to your personal needs.

While the specifics of each session might change, the overall system and progression remains consistent to ensure a high-quality experience, designed to provide you maximum targeted relief for your exact needs and preferences.

How TBI Creates a Quality Personalized Therapeutic Bodywork Session

Each session is personalized to the student - but how? and what does that mean for you?

Check out this video showing more about the steps of each bodywork session where Missy walks you through some of her favorite techniques, key areas of the body, and how she approaches bodywork from a holistic perspective.

There are usually 6 main stages to a bodywork sessions:

• Holistic Intake Consultation
• Warm Up, Attunement, & Assessment
• Spine and Low Bac
• Hips and Leg
• Chest and Arm
• Neck, Scalp, and Closing

In general, for a regular hour-long massage session, you'd spend about 10 minutes on each of the six stages. However at TBI, each stage of the bodywork session is catered to the individual client rather than following a set choreography. For example, if the client requests more low back work, we might skip step 4 in favor of spending the ten extra minutes on steps 2 and 3.

Talking & Music During Your Session

Talking to Your Therapist

Excessive talking during the massage is generally discouraged as it can take you out of the present moment, and shift your focus. You are encouraged to share your massage preferences and places of aches and pains, both during the intake consultation in Step 1 and during the massage itself. Otherwise, you can simply focus on your own breathing and relaxation. If during the massage something comes up for processing, you'd like to ask a question, or you'd like to make a request/share feedback, you're absolutely welcome to do so (don't feel shy!).

What Kind of Music Do You Play?

As a lifelong drummer and musician, Missy herself is extremely sensitive to different tones and musical sounds; and highly attuned to how sound can have a huge impact on our energetic state. As a fan of getting massages herself, she often finds herself bristling at much of the cheesy music played at the average massage chain.

Here at TBI, we do not want anything to be distracting to your therapeutic bodywork experience; especially for those who are coming for trauma release it is especially important for them to be relaxed and at ease. If you don't like the music, or it feels jarring to your sense, this can be a huge distraction and take you out of your subtle limbo state where so much important healing happens during the bodywork session.

Missy will usually play hand pan, kalimba, light shamanic drumming, or bianural/solfeggio music to balance the chakras as she works on you. This type of music has special healing properties that helps your nervous system to engage in a parasympathetic state; and your brain to produce theta waves, which are produced in a deep sleep or in practices such as yoga nidra.

You are always welcome to make any special requests for a track you like from Missy's playlist, play your own music, or request silence. The music will be played at a volume where it will have a floaty present in your awareness but will not a primary focus itself within the environment.

Inquiries, Comments, or Concerns?

Regardless of your level of comfort or experience with massage, when you come in for your therapeutic bodywork session at The Body Intuitive, you can rest assured that you're literally "in good hands!"