| I can just imagine lying on my stomach, listening to | | | | school, but I needed to do some research so that I |
| soothing music, and falling into a deep relaxation. As a | | | | knew what to expect when I went to the massage |
| college student, I often find myself stressed out over all | | | | studio.To prepare, I did some research on what to |
| the assignments I have to complete in school. | | | | expect from a massage. As I started to search, I was |
| Massage is supposed to relieve anxiety and so I | | | | overwhelmed by an array of rules and regulations. It is |
| decided to experience it for myself. It seems like there | | | | the job of the therapist to ask the client some |
| are so many different kinds of massage that at first I | | | | standard questions to help the therapist understand the |
| felt lost in a world of leisure. A Swedish massage uses | | | | body of his or her client. They will ask why you are |
| long fluid strokes of different pressures over the body, | | | | getting a massage and for some background |
| while toning the muscles and improving flexibility and | | | | information about your physical condition, medical |
| circulation. I thought this sounded very soothing. Sports | | | | history, lifestyle, stress levels, and if you are already |
| massages are specialized Swedish massages that | | | | experiencing pain in a specific area. They should |
| help athletes keep their muscles and tissue in good | | | | discuss with you health goals that massage can help |
| condition and relax from stressful training. A medical | | | | you achieve. It is also appropriate to ask about the |
| massage is a Swedish massage geared toward a | | | | certification of the therapist and the training they went |
| certain trouble area. Thai massage incorporates yoga | | | | through. I was then prepared to ask many questions |
| with a light massage by stretching with gentle | | | | during each massage.One type of massage that I |
| pressures. Reflexology is an ancient Chinese technique | | | | decided to experience was just a general relaxation |
| that uses pressure points in the hands, feet, and ears | | | | massage. I went to The Pilates Wellness Center |
| to restore energy flow in the body. It is supposed to | | | | where my instructor, Tatiana, suggested that I should |
| flush the body of toxins, relax the muscles and | | | | get a massage in their new studio to relax my |
| stimulate internal organs. I know after a long day of | | | | muscles after a strenuous workout. Tatiana works me |
| classes I could use some extra energy and stimulation. | | | | hard and afterwards I could often use some |
| I knew my body and mind could use a break from | | | | pampering. |