Today I had my long overdue body massage. I’ve been meaning to have one the past couple of weeks, but all the work and school load just wouldn’t allow it. Fortunately I had some vacant time earlier to indulge in the much needed body treatment and was finally able to do it after several months.
To say it was great is an understatement. As the masseuse slowly kneaded her hands on just the right points, knots and twists of my muscles with the perfect pressure and combination of Swedish and Shiatsu styles, I felt like I was floating, with every single stress being crushed as every delicious pressure was applied. Since its first discovery, the art of body massage has been used by people worldwide as a very effective stress and body pain relieving method. Today, there are spas and beauty centers everywhere we go offering massage services as more people become aware of the benefits it brings.
I guess what was somehow unique about my massage experience today was that I was treated by a blind masseuse named Lisa. As Lisa worked her way in my body, I chatted with her and asked what brought her to the profession. She told me that she was part of a big national organization that trained and gave jobs to blind people who often have a hard time making a living because of their disability. Body massaging was one of the few jobs that they could do as it didn’t require a sense of sight but more of hand stroke skill and knowledge of the art. She also said that there are so many blind people who have been shunned by society who fully depend on the organization to continue living a somewhat normal life.
I don’t know if it’s psychological, but I felt that Lisa’s way of massaging me differed from my previous experiences in the sense that she seemed to probe more into the knotted muscles and stressed areas of my body, feeling her way with her strong sense of touch. There’s less of the rhythmic, usual pattern of method, but more of intense probing of the plains and bumps of the body and a very sincere dedication to serve the customer and do her job well.
Of course it may not have anything to do with her blindness; maybe she’s really just one of the better trained and skilled masseuses. But what I know is that I just had one of the best massages in my life and I went home not only rejuvenated but also fulfilled, because in my very little way as a customer, I was able to help a very hardworking blind woman by patronizing her services. Not to mention the services of a very noble organization aiming to help our friends in the society not blessed with a sense of sight.
Indeed, the perks of a blind massage is two-way.
Filed under: Health and Wellness | 2 Comments
Tags: blind massage, blind masseuse, body massage, health, massage, people with disabilities, stress reliever, wellness
Hi,
The concept sounds wonderful – I want to start this in India myself, where there is a huge blind population. Where was this place where I can get such a massage. What is this national organization that trains people?