Last year at a friend’s wedding, I rowed a boat for the first time. It was a spontaneous decision on a magical day celebrating love, and I literally leaned into it. All I had to do was apply the same principles I had learned and honed in massage school (and here a teacher’s voice echoes, “Always be at a mechanical advantage!”). Usually when we try a new activity, such as assembling flat-packed furniture, we are not habituated to the necessary tools and the ways we hold our body as we work.
I could have looked up some guides or videos on how to hold a crochet hook and how best to hold myself while engaging in this craft. I have a tendency to zoom into the work itself; the stitches and the counting and the colour changes and weaving in the ends as I go (because I hate having to do it after). I forget my body entirely, which leads to me slouching and getting lax with my grip on the hook. If I don’t bring my attention back to myself, I am liable to end up with a sore hand and some awkwardness in the upper body.
It’s a great idea for me to take a break where it feels organic. This can be after a round or a row of crochet, before or after a meeting or phone call, and absolutely after I give a massage and at the end of my work day. If I don’t have time for a full body scan, a quick one can help me pinpoint hotspots, areas where I may have been unconsciously clenching or not making proper use of my implements (crochet hook, computer keyboard and mouse, hands on the steering wheel). I’m in the habit of stretching things out to better feel what’s going on and to give talkative muscles a little relaxation in the moment.
Making a practice of checking in with your body throughout the day can help you paint a better mental picture of how you’re feeling and what you might want to work on in the massage room. If you’re someone who works at a computer, your body and eyes may thank you for trying the 20-20-20 Rule (Canadian Association of Optometrists – March 27, 2023). If you’re a manager in lots of meetings, it’d be awesome to see a brief posture break at the beginning or end, especially in a day full of other meetings.
The nights are getting longer and a massage is a great way to sustain your energy and check in with yourself. It’s almost my birthday, and I am offering 50% off your next massage with promo code BDAY25 (one use per client, book by November 15, 2025). I won’t be working on the day itself, but I am happy to keep busy on the days before and after.
Remember that I am now also offering massage at Meta 1111 (5440 chemin Queen Mary #103) which is a five-minute walk from Snowdon métro. You can bookmark the page, find it linked in the Book Now page, or in the menu under Book Now.
I have also added a page for upcoming mediation events (also available under Book Now)! Last week’s Sunday Scaries didn’t end up happening, so I am creating a new event taking place Sunday, November 9th at 8:30 EST (because sadly, daylight saving time will be over). We will be doing a body scan, Metta meditation (more on that soon!), and a visualisation together. I have room for 12 participants, with accessible pricing for three spots ($5 instead of $10).
I will be unavailable the following dates:
- Thursday, October 30th to Sunday, November 2nd
- Friday, November 14th
