My Journey in Exploring the Different Styles, Influences and Traditions of Massage Therapy – Erica Esham

Erica EshamMy timeline is a windy road with twists and turns – “Erica Esham.”

I have always been in therapies which involved and healing modalities.

Before pursuing a career in massage therapy.

I most recently earned my 500 hour certification in tantra yoga while studying in an ashram abroad.

Here, I also had the opportunity to work closely with a massage therapist who specialized in abhyanga massage, shiatsu and traditional Chinese medicine.

I had the opportunity to give massage and teach a massage-therapy method for the first while working in the ashram.

It was something, I had a deep interest in pursuing further.

Previous to this, I had continued my self-study of herbalism and enrolled in Rosemary Gladstar’s Herbal correspondence course.

I have been a photography professor in the university setting, given children’s art classes and taught continuing education for adults as well.

I love for my work to enrich the lives of others that I interact with!

It wasn’t until I became pregnant that I understood the intrinsic value of massage.

Following news of my pregnancy, I was thrust into a whirlwind of change and uncertainty.

I was living abroad with my partner and was forced to quickly leave the country, abandoning my life, business and many of my personal belongings to return to the States.

It was a tough time and one of the most significant challenges I have faced in my life.

I am now a single mother and a survivor of domestic abuse.

Since returning to the states, I have sought out traditional, psychological therapies as well as less Western.

And more therapeutic-based therapies to aid in recovering parts of myself I felt were lost in this process.

One I have a particular interest in is Mayan Abdominal massage.

I have found this modality to be particularly helpful in restoring balance to my gut and realigning my organs.

Which has shifted following pregnancy?

Throughout The Nine Months Of My Pregnancy – “Erica Esham

One of the therapies I found to be most helpful and supportive was massage.

I begin to regularly see a massage therapist during the last months of my pregnancy.

And I believe wholeheartedly that it changed the outcome of my daughter’s birth positively.

My job at the time was entirely physical.

I would sometimes stand on concrete floors for 10+ hours a day and sit at a computer or photograph for 9 hours straight.

By the 4th month of my pregnancyErica Esham.”

I had developed carpal-tunnel, severe back pain and my hip would often dislocate.

When I started receiving massage weekly or bi-weekly I felt a tremendous difference in my physical state.

The mental benefits of massage also became very apparent to me.

Due to my current situation; having left an abusive relationship, moving abruptly and dealing with stress surrounding my ability to support a child lacking much support.

I experienced difficulty encountering clarity surrounding my path.

My anxiety and racing thoughts were slowed when receiving massage.

And this quiet time I had given myself provided an opportunity to sort through the “chatter” in my mind and encounter a space of tranquility.

Emotionally, I was better able to release pent-up negative emotions I had been holding on to as a result of my situation.

There were times I felt like crying for weeks and was unable to do so due to being so busy.

I felt like crying many a time for weeks and was unable to do so due to being so busy.

I Only Slept And Worked, Often Working 50+ Hours A Week

There were times I would schedule a massage in the middle of my workday and go on my lunch break.

If it weren’t for these little breaks in the constant forward movement, I would have felt like my days were merely being swept away.

They always gave me the “recharge” that I needed to continue moving forward thoughtfully.

I suppose I hadn’t recognized the real healing power of massage previous to my pregnancy because I had never felt “in need” of it.

Before, I valued message, but thought of it is a “treat” or occasional gift to myself – “Erica Esham.”

A luxury rather than something necessary.

I had also been wary of the expenses it incurred.

And even though I recognized the benefits, sometimes the financial obstacle was too much to overcome.

This is why I am interested in developing ways to make this healing art more available to those in need that may not necessarily have the funds to afford it.

Now, having organized training workshops for Thai Yoga Massage and working closely with several massage therapists.

I recognized the intricacies and differences between modalities of massage.

Most importantly, I believe I couldn’t see that previously.

Because I hadn’t had an opportunity to work with massage therapists closely and understand their craft.

I am excited to explore the different styles, influences and traditions of massage therapy in the program I am attending at the Avenue Five Institute in Austin, Texas.

Also, I know that with this deeper exploration I will find the modality or modalities.

That honestly speaks to me and “flow through me.

My Journey in Exploring the Different Styles, Influences and Traditions of Massage Therapy

” I look forward to sharing that with others and being proud of the work I do.”

“I am a truth seeker and passionate about pursuing paths that call to me.

But I withdrew myself from the program when I found out I was pregnant.

And I was enrolled in a massage program in 2016.

Following this news, I was thrust into a whirlwind of change and uncertainty.

Throughout the nine months of my pregnancy “Erica Esham.”

One of the therapies I found to be most helpful and supportive of the constant changes in my body was massage.

I began to regularly see a massage therapist during the last months of my pregnancy.

And I believe wholeheartedly that it changed the outcome of my daughter’s birth positively.

Not only were their physical benefits to the therapy, but the mental benefits were apparent as well.

After a massage, I felt as though I had some time to filter through my thoughts; I reduced my anxiety.

And I was capable of focusing on planning for this new life to enter into my world.

I hope to study massage therapy and focus on making these benefits more available to those in need.

Families that are without insurance are low-income, geriatric patients, and immigrants, amongst some new demographics.

And are in need of this supportive and therapeutic therapy just a much as the rest of us.

Erica Esham” With my education in the healing arts.

I hope to combine my new skills with my passion for herbalism and teaching yoga to provide services for those indeed in need.”

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One comment on “My Journey in Exploring the Different Styles, Influences and Traditions of Massage Therapy – Erica Esham
  1. Rodrigo says:

    Erica, please contact me. All this time I have been away from my daughter to give you the time to heal from the psychological abuse you received from me. At the same time, I was healing my wounds so I can be ready to be a father. If you feel you have to run from me because I want to hurt you or my daughter, you need to accept that that is also your mind creating all those things, and I am talking from my own experience doing that. We put actions and words on to others when is our own mind playing games with us. I know I push you away, and for all the bad decisions I took, I accepted I lost you as a partner. But my relationship with my daughter is another thing. I know is not going to be easy, our past is always going to be there, and I do not care how hard it is going to be, I will create the relationship with my daughter. I think for you is not healthy to run away from your past, yes, I was a total mess as a partner, but life is a school for everyone. You need to know that I will search in every corner of this planet for my daughter when the time comes, and I believe it would be much better if you stop running away. I am not trying to make your life difficult, but we both have a story with Zola that needs to match in our lives.

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