Touch is a necessary component for the well-being of all mammals. Physical contact between a mother and her newborn is critical for the infant’s sense of stability and connection with their world. From the first moment of life until the moment of death, we need compassionate touch to feel supported, safe and connected with our world.

Bodywork can positively affect our state of well-being by  increasing the flow of nutrients to and toxins from every cell in our bodies. This is especially true of muscles & organs, through the blood pumping action of soft-tissue palpation. Physical manipulation of the body can also help restore musclular elasticity, joint health and stimulate proper digestive functioning. Conscious touch can balance the nervous & endocrine systems as well, offering us a good ‘D.O.S.E.’ of feel good hormones: Dopamine, which makes you feel good about what you are doing; Oxytocin, which lowers cortisol & stress levels and helps you feel more supported & secure; Serotonin, which reduces cravings & irritability and increases the ability to focus; and finally Endorphins, which reduce pain and create a sense of euphoria. All of which together reduce stress and increase a sense of overall connectedness and Well-Being.

In many cultures it was and is common for family members to regularly massage each other, helping to maintain health & wellness. Samurai warriors would perform bodywork on each other to restore health and release the toxicity of battle out of their systems before rejoining their community & families. We too can utilize the benefits of bodywork to create better health & well-being within ourselves and within our world. Everyone has the capacity to touch, sense and feel which is all one needs to begin the journey of offering effective bodywork.