Traits for Self-Healing Part 4: Nonresistance

This is the fourth in a 10 Part series based on the article "The Traits of an Energy Practitioner" by John Kroneck (July/august 2013 'massage & bodywork'). Today we are focusing on nonresistance, a part of non attachment.

1. Stillness
2. Presence:
• present moment
• awareness
3. Non attachment
• nonresistance
• non-judgment
4. Beginner's Mind
5. Acceptance
6. Inspiration
7. Responsibility
8. Kindness Quotient

Nonresistance
There are times when the tendency to protect ourselves from the perceived danger of revealing a truth about ourselves can take precedence over the desire for seeing the truth.  This resistance to what is occurring can frustrate a client's progress.  Nonresistance is the willingness to experience whatever dynamic may show itself.  It includes having the courage to directly face fear, pain, and shame without shrinking from the experience.  It is also a critical tool in moving through what we fear in the quickest, most efficient manner possible.  How is your mastery of nonresistance? -- John Kroneck

I interpret this as denial. A client may not want to tell their massage therapist  all of their recent activities or even admit to themselves that they spent 5 hours playing video games the day before their massage. This information could help quickly pinpoint the source of a client's pain, anything from poor posture to repetitive motion injury. This can also come in the form of an injury that may not be something massage can effectively treat, but the client not wishing to visit their doctor and have diagnostics done schedules a massage instead.
I would also consider guarding in this category. I find this most often in shoulder range of motion. As I move the arm upward the client will tighten up to avoid previously felt pain. This action prevents the therapist from observing where the limitations are and to what degree. Communication is crucial at this point as well as trust.

How do you interpret this trait?  How would you try to improve your own nonresistance and encourage it in others? 

Going for a Ride

It is understandable that our American Eskimo dog, Suka, gets nervous when  he sees his harness in my hands. He rarely wears a collar or harness.  He gets trips to the vet or groomer and an occasional walk around the neighborhood. We have a fenced backyard to let him run and play in without restriction.

I am trying to alleviate his anxiety with more walks and occasional car rides.  When my loving husband needed to get gas in his SUV, he reluctantly agreed to taking the dog and I along for the ride. There have been instances of car sickness in the past, but only when I was taking him somewhere alone.

Suka first ran away from me, and then slowly crawled toward me, finally he let me put his harness on. Then he crawled into my arms and placed his head on my shoulder. I carried him (32 lbs) outside and placed him in the back seat. My loving husband placed me in the front passenger seat (as he always does) and went around to the driver's door while Suka barked at him. Once everyone was settled we headed out.

Suka circled in the seat a few times and laid down, but before his muzzle even rested on his paws he was sitting up again looking out the window. He crossed back and forth looking out one side and then the other. I suggested that we put the window down to give Suka some air. My loving husband was trying to keep one eye on the dog and one on the road. I'm not certain which one of them was more nervous.

As we pulled up to the pumps I heard growling from the back seat. Evidently the other customers were too close. Suka is rather territorial. My loving husband gets out to pump the gas. Suka went crazy, barking  and scratching at the window. I called him up front with me, but he just wanted out with 'his human'. Once my loving husband got back into the SUV Suka calmed right down.
Suka sat and watched out the window during the trip home. 

Suka became excited again as we pulled into our driveway. My loving husband opened my door and helped me out of the vehicle, and then opened the rear door to let the dog out. Suka jumped out, ran through the front yard onto the porch, and waited at the door to be let in the house. 

It was a good ride, but I think that we have many more to go before Suka learns to enjoy them.

Just a quick note to tie this event to massage:  Sometimes, like Suka, people link certain items to emotions. It may be a place, like a doctor's office or an article of clothing, such as a lucky shirt. These things create a physical response for people due to past experiences.
Leave a comment about what items trigger a response for you.
A regular massage can create a positive response. Just entering the massage room or lying on the massage table can cause the body to begin to relax. The sooner a person relaxes; the more beneficial a massage can be.