While driving to work one day, I passed a sign at a
local church that said "Jazz in the Sanctuary". It caught my eye
because I have two friends who sing jazz and I made a mental note
to look into the event. Much to my surprise, this word "sanctuary"
started making repeat appearances in my life in so many different
forms that I wondered what the message was.
- A news story was on the television reporting a woman from
Mexico who took "sanctuary" in a church to avoid deportation.
- A song was on the radio by Billy Joel, with the words, "In
every heart there is a room, a sanctuary safe and..."
- I was watching Family Jewels (guilty pleasure), a reality show
about the family of Gene Simmons from the band Kiss, and his kids
referred to Gene's office as his "sanctuary." Trust me, it's not a
sanctuary, it's a shrine!
- Animal Planet offered a special about an Elephant Sanctuary run
by Carol Buckley developed specifically for endangered African and
Asian elephants.
- I walked into the Student Services office on campus and Dr. Dan
Driscoll's door was closed with a sign on it that said
"Sanctuary."
- I went on our website to check out the job openings for massage
therapists and believe it or not, one of the advertisers is The
Sanctuary Day Spa.
For some reason, my mind has been in tune with this word and its
meaning seems to be as boundless as one's imagination. It's a
beautiful word and denotes an air of peace, safety, calm, refuge,
rest, and sacredness. When I've thought about a sanctuary and the
many forms it can take, I realized that most of the words I would
use to describe such a place could be used to describe the art of
massage therapy, its implementation and the place where it might be
performed.
Usually there is soft, relaxing music, and the slight smell of a
candle burning. Lying on the soft cushion of the massage table,
comfort sets in. There's the voice of a professional asking probing
questions to find out how they can lend help and best care for you.
Then there are the trained hands that explore troubled areas,
replacing discomfort with relief and relaxation. Eventually peace
and calm find their way into the body and the blessed gift of deep
sleep can conclude your session. Is there any doubt that this is a
sanctuary for the aching and stressed?
But at another level, this can also be a sanctuary for the
massage therapist who reigns over this domain, creating the work
environment befitting their own desires and specialties. This will
be their own place of refuge to give the gift of bodywork to those
in need - an opportunity to work their magic in a setting designed
by them and for them.
Massage Therapy is a profession of service that goes far beyond
the physical act of massage. A dual purpose is realized for
therapists as they lend their body, mind and spirit in the service
of others while fulfilling their own need to help as well.
While you ponder your future and look for the inspiration to
start your studies in massage therapy, remember that creating your
own blissful environment is as close as a year away, and I'm just
the person to help you get started.
Debbie