Recently I returned from Hawaii, facilitating my long time teacher Dub Leigh training students in Zen Triggerpoint Anatomy®.

On the streets of Oahu, I was graciously reminded of the spirit of Aloha. People who I met there radiated an energy very different from that felt in many of the big cities around the world I have visited. Drivers would offer me a space in line when I had my car’s turn signal on. The guy at the local pizza place went out of his way to make picking up my order a truly enjoyable experience. Everyone had a lot of enthusiasm and a big smile. Everywhere I went, I felt connected, cared for. I found that many people treated each other like family. I felt honoured to be part of the true spirit of Aloha.

As a body worker and now a teacher, I feel that the focus of my work with people has shifted over the years and now involves a deeper level of meaning, aside from helping people on the physical aspect. For years, the objective has been to get the pain out, (which works very well by the way), reposition the soft tissue (muscles, tendons, fascial webbing etc), and help the person reeducate the way their nervous system moves the body (awareness in their movement).

The whole range of techniques used to process the body are great, yet at the same time, there is a focus on how I can better serve each individual’s beingness, his/her essence, to assist each person in becoming who he/she truly is.

Is there room for a new perspective in relating the changes in one’s body to how we view day to day events or the interrelatedness between ourselves and the environments of family, work, and the community? How can getting old pain out of your body be of any use to anyone but yourself?

From my experience, the body is made up of inseparable components. Emotions, the incessant working of the mind, and the vitality of universal energy or ki, are all connected to our physical self. Awareness in each of these aspects of our selves and using them in pursuit of perpetual development in sensitivity to who we are at every given moment, potentiates a goal beyond searching for a source of pain relief, increasing one’s range of motion, and facilitating new lines in the structure of the body alone.

When one aspect is stuck, whether it is a misaligned bone, an old self abusing pattern, or long periods of sluggish energy, all aspects of us are affected and change is not usually sought until the physical signals of discomfort motivate us to do so.

One characteristic difference I have seen in similar symptomatic clients who do best is their attitude toward their condition, a positive perspective of things and the willingness to make things better for themselves and those around them. One’s attitude can be an amazing, empowering tool when used to heal, grow, and assist another in some way.

I remember an old story of a lay priest who asked a Zen master, “What is the difference between heaven and hell”? The Zen master replied, “Hell is like sitting on the rim of a huge rice bowl with long chopsticks. No matter how you work at getting the rice to your mouth, it always falls off before it gets to your mouth. Heaven is like the same rice bowl except that everyone feeds everyone else”.

The connection between this concept and the healing potential of body therapy is simple. When painful conditions and misalignments in our bodies are treated and healed, our mind and emotions become affected. We replace the trauma, pain and negativity with positive feelings and attitudes, a greater sensitivity to the world outside, and invariably allow us to find newfound hope and happiness. However unintentional it may have been at first, there is no doubt that getting a pain free body will also get you more positive emotions and attitudes and help you in living a more peaceful, happier and purposeful life. When we feel healthier and happy inside, it naturally creates more of that glowing aura and everyone around us is affected in a positive way.

Practicing random acts of kindness is one of the gifts of Aloha. Doing kind deeds without the need for acknowledgement or expecting anything in return uplifts us tremendously. Knowing that we have unconditionally helped someone, that we have in any small way made life better for another person is very healing for ourselves.

Practicing random acts of kindness helps our body heal, regain freedom, lightness and strength. The energy in our body will begin to release and flow naturally. It is extremely stress relieving. When we incorporate practicing random acts of kindness into our lives, we gain so much more than what act we have given. We feel much better in ourselves, we radiate joy and peace within and healing occurs on all levels.

My hope is that I am able to pass on the gifts of Aloha far beyond the physical changes that occur throughout our hands on work together.

I would like to thank all of my clients who have been and still are, a great inspiration for me. I have been able to grow leaps and bounds because of you!