Parts is parts

I  may have used this title before. Don’t recall, don’t care.

When it comes to body work, I am a huge supporter of is. Although my foray into it has been a costly mistake at best, more like a critically stupid idea among so many others, I still believe it has been good for me. At least I know, in detail, all that I am not doing for myself.

The last few sessions with the incredible Will T., while fantastic, painful, helpful immediately as well as some to leave me wondering, have all been about what I expected them to be.  Some work in areas not normally attended to and some really deep in places not normally so attended too.  I have noticed the effects and if I had been less a slacker, would have incorporated some life changes to keep and improve upon.  I however, am useless in that arena.

Today was, to say the least, one day I was looking forward too and yet, somehow, not at all what I was expecting. The logic, the reason, the bookwork part all makes sense. The “mask” session is to open up the chest, neck and face to improve breathing, increase blood flow and oxygen dispersion.  The process is simple, loosen up the pecs, major and minor along with the serratus anterior. Loosen up the rhomboids and everything around the scapula. Move on to the neck, sternoceidomastoid, scalenes , upper traps. Some if which hurt to have worked as much as they do to spell correctly.

Then, expected, but not fully appreciated until the moment, came the jaw. Not the masseter, everyone gets that muscle worked on when they get a massage. No, these are the ones that are all along the jaw bone. Start in back near the ear and do crazy deep compressions all the way to chin. Repeat on other side. First I must say I did not realize the tension held in these muscles until Will tried to let it out.  Did I mention deep compressions? “If you want a more intense feeling, move the muscles in your mouth, your tongue.” Gee Will, thanks, I think more intense is a fabulous idea!

Then, obviously, but of course, all the same or those close to same that can only be properly access from inside the mouth. ( In wonder what the CVS clerk thought of the surfer/hippie looking guy buying latex gloves and petroleum jelly?) Gloves on, mouth open, fingers in as well as the ones on the outside helping.  “For a more intense………” The gag reflex only kicked in once – conveniently at the end of that part. Then again, no matter when it had come, it would have signaled the end of that part.

Still curious about the petroleum jelly? Well here is your relief. (Pun intended) You see, part of the “mask” session is to open up the air way from the nose. To separate the and realign the fascia that holds the nose firmly against the skull. Sure, you could  just grab the ol’ proboscis and wiggle but what fun would that be when you have latex gloves and petroleum jelly? No, lube a pinky and with a big grin says, “Just relax all the muscles in you face. This is really cool!”

Being a bad allergy sufferer I was not able to enjoy the full pleasure of complete nasal penetration. It made me sneeze. Good and rapid communication is a must during this process.  As is conveniently located box of tissues.

All in all – a very intense and great session. My pain is not where I expected and so far the feeling, the effects are very worth while. Intent, to open up the chest and head- accomplished! I am breathing better, deeper, differently. Then again – could be because there are no fingers in my mouth or nose too. Kidding, really. The work is good. Just wish I had not sneezed at it!

Peace, Ant-Knee