So you guys remember how we said that Stay Mellow is a safe space to share secret wellbeing tips and healthy living techniques right? Right?! (Ok…Just making sure we're on the same page.). I have a confession. I haven't been completely honest with you. By now you know how I anticipate my upcoming massage appointments and how massage and bodywork have become a big part of my health and wellness routine. Howevere, truth be told, that's only one side of my massage experience. I can't continue to deceive you all so I'll spill the beans. That little speech at the end used to grind my gears!!! The one where your massage therapist is bound to say something along the lines of "Be sure to drink plenty of water.."
I know that sounds a little irrational, but I swear on my hydrated muscles it's true! For some strange reason I always took that line so personal. On the outside I'd be sipping the water the therapist had provided, smiling/nodding and doing my best to keep a neutral facial expression. All the while in my mind I was like, "We've just bonded so beautifully over the last 60 mins. How dare you ACCUSE me of not drinking water? I'll have you know I drink 1 or 2 cups EVERY DAY, thank you very much!" Then exit dramatically to the receptionist's desk to rebook my next appointment. Lol.
The funny thing is, as I just stated, I knew I was only drinking 1 or 2 cups of water a day. While that was better than none, it was still well below what my body needed to function at its best. See what I didn't know at the time is that water is the most abundant nutrient in the body, not to mention the most important. Most doctors, scientist, teachers, yoga instructors and massage therapists will tell you (in their own way, of course) it is the most critical nutrient for health, growth, and development. I literally had the power and resources to do so much good for myself with minimal effort involved. All it took was drinking a little more good ol' H20, and cutting back on the juice and [large] coffees.
In this HONEST and OPEN space I'll admit I owe my previous massage therapists and body workers an apology for questioning their knowledge, training, and suggestions. Like I said, those conversations may have happened in my head, but they truly represented how I felt. It wasn't until I was in school working very hard to become their colleague, that I finally got it. I had no idea muscle tissue is made up of about 75% water. I didn't understand that no matter how much water I claimed to drink, the muscles and soft tissue in my body revealed the truth. Trigger points tattled on me when they took forever to release. My stiff, dehydrated muscles had my therapists working overtime and still had the audacity be tight and only slightly more pliable. If I was not as loose as I'd hoped to be after a session, I blamed them…Even as I blatantly ignored their advice at the end of every session.
So here goes nothing 'Sorry Karen, Maliam, Marguerite, Sati, and everyone else that has worked on me! I appreciate your professionalism and dedication to your craft. Thank you for not giving up on me and always having my best interest at heart. I drink lots of water now and I know you guys know because you've commented on the difference in my muscles and soft tissue when I'm on your table (or mat)!'
Namaste
Staci
