02/18/2019
From our very own Janara Nerone...happy 20th anniversary!
This month I'm celebrating my 20th anniversary as a professional bodyworker and massage therapist. What a journey it has been! My first job was working as a Physical Therapy Assistant and Massage Therapist for a center of integrative medicine. After that, I have practiced my arts at solo offices, salons, spas, fitness centers, medical offices, bodywork studios, people's homes, and a ski resort. Once, I did a massage on a bench on top of a mountain. I've also practiced massage on beaches and in an airplane.
Of my my very favorite things about my career in bodywork is meeting so many interesting people. Some clients I have connected with more, and some less. I have seen the full range of the human condition in my clientele. Some people come in at their best, some at their worst, but most show up somewhere in the middle. They're working, taking care of their families and communities, and need some help to feel better and be more functional. Some folks already understand the value of bodywork when they come to me, some learn about it through receiving it from me, and others disbelieve in its healing effects. Most people have been respectful and kind to me, but some have been actively rude, demeaning, or even threatening. Serving the public has taught me a lot about enforcing boundaries with compassion. Practicing bodywork has taught me a lot about compassion in general.
Here are a few things I've learned about caring for the human body that may be of help to you:
*Self-care is and must be #1.
*No one thinks they have time for self-care.
*Make time.
*Drink water, for reals. (ask me about some fun muscle cramp stories for a good laugh)
*Good posture is very important. Yoga is a great way to learn it and practice it.
*Keeping your core strong is essential - front, sides, and back.
*Don't sit on a wallet in your back pocket.
*Sitting is, in general, the root of many health problems.
*Don't carry a heavy bag (or baby) on the same shoulder every day.
*MOVE YOUR BODY. You don't have to be an athlete, but just maintain a reasonable level of fitness. You're welcome.
*Express your emotions, whether it be to others, in a journal, through artwork, or whatever you wish. But do it. Unexpressed, unprocessed, and repressed emotions live in your body's tissues. Massage can help with that, but experiencing the full range of human emotion will help MORE.
*You must be the director of your health care. Educate yourself. Get a second opinion. DO NOT blindly accede to the wishes of any health care practitioner, especially if your intuition is telling you a different story.
*Speak kindly to yourself and treat yourself with compassion.
*There is no pill, potion, or treatment that can fix unhealthy habits. The more healthy your lifestyle, the better you will feel. Period.
I thought I was done with bodywork in 2016, but I am happy that my retirement did not last. I still aspire to get a Master's degree in Traditional Chinese Medicine to add to my toolbox. Or maybe more Ayurveda. Who knows what the future holds?
Thank you to all of my teachers, clients, colleagues, and supporters for 20 years of adventures in professional bodywork. Bodywork has been a part of my life for as far back as I can remember. I have clear memories of giving shoulder and neck massages as early as age 5. Learning and practicing the healing arts has helped to heal me as a human being. Thank you for allowing me to witness you all. I am deeply honored by all of the opportunities presented to me as a healer. Thank you. May we all be blessed with a healthy 2019, and here's to 20 more years!
