Truly Holistic Massage Part 1

“Even if you’re on the right track, you’ll get run over if you just sit there”

- Will Rogers

Truly Holistic Massage

Part 1

Well, I am done sitting on this, reading about it, studying and learning it. It is time to begin my first big step into the future of massage therapy and Banyan Tree Healing. Thank you for joining me here and reading this, and I hope that by the end you will be able to see how this could really change your life. I know for a fact that it has changed mine, and I am excited to finally be able to bring this to you.

Again I ask you…

If I could help you achieve more relaxation, increase your creativity, and add more inspiration and energy and vitality. Would you want it?

How about a deeper self awareness or help with promoting long-term mental and emotional growth? Would you want that?

What I am offering you is a tool to help you find a way of organizing your own mind, a way of being in the present, in this moment, helping to end negative thought, stress and anxiety and all the things that we use daily to hold ourselves back. Or in short what I am offering is the use of a modern scientific development that has its roots back to the earliest times of our ancestors.

It’s called “Brain Wave Entrainment”.

To quote Dr Jeffrey Thompson D.C. of the "Center for Neuroacustic Research"

“Human beings have been using sound to access deeper states of consciousness, expand awareness and heal the body for thousands of years. Chanting, toning, Tibetan singing bowls, Chinese meditation gongs, and mantras, are just a few examples of this use of sound. Today, with highly sophisticated technological equipment, we can not only observe the functioning of the body and the brain in unprecedented detail, but also measure the changes that take place in the mind and body in different states of consciousness and different states of health. Research projects in major universities across the country have explored the neurophysiology of meditation, deep relaxation states and mind/body interactions during healing. In one study a simple meditation technique used for 20 minutes a day caused profound changes in blood pressure, stress handling ability, immune response and feelings of well being - never mind using any kind of high-tech approach which could bring consciousness to very deep levels of relaxation. Using this technology as a daily tool for mind/body integration and stress reduction can have many positive benefits.”

Brain wave entrainment is our ability to control our own brain waves and to place them in harmony. This creates a focused mind, and a focused mind is able to accomplish so much more. Our brains produce electrical charges. These charges create a rhythm known as brainwave patterns. Brainwave patterns are commonly grouped into four different categories: beta, alpha, theta and delta. Each of these brainwave patterns is associated with various states of mind.

The Main Brain Waves Patterns

Beta Waves
Beta waves are quick, low amplitude waves of 14 to 40 times per second (Hz). Beta brainwave patterns are generated naturally when in an awake, alert state of consciousness. Beta waves are produced when you perform any task that requires you to concentrate.

Alpha Waves
Alpha waves oscillate between 8 and 13 Hz. Alpha waves occur during sensorial rest (e.g. when the eyes are closed), intellectual relaxation, deep relaxation, meditation or quieting of the mind. Alpha waves are the desired results of meditators. Traditional methods of meditation may require 10 years of practice to produce good alpha waves.

Alpha brainwave rhythms produce:

(1) Peaceful feelings
(2) Warm hands and feet
(3) A sense of well-being
(4) Improved sleep
(5) Improved academic performance
(6) Increased productivity in the workplace
(7) Reduced anxiety
(8) improved immune functioning

It is believed that many creative geniuses, such as Einstein, were in a semi-permanent alpha state. Most of these insightful people had poor grades in school and were thought to be slow learners. Perhaps they were too busy creating to pay attention in class.

Alpha/Theta Border
These brain waves are the Schumann Resonance and the State Five Meditation. At the Alpha/Theta border (7 to 8 Hz), exceptional insights and personal transforming experiences happen. Anger, resentment or buried, troubling memories from childhood dissolve more quickly.

Theta Waves
Theta waves are between 4 and 8 Hz. This is commonly referred to as the dream or “twilight” state. Theta is associated with REM states and dreaming. Memory development is enhanced in this state. In the theta brainwave state, memory is improved (particularly long term memory), and access to unconscious material, reveries, free association, sudden insight and creative ideas are increased. It’s a mysterious, elusive state of mind. For a long time researchers couldn’t study this brain state because subjects had difficulty maintaining this state for any period of time without falling asleep (which generates large amounts of theta).

Delta Waves
This rhythm is observed when in a sleeping state. As we fall asleep the dominant natural brainwave becomes delta. Delta waves are the slowest of brainwaves spanning from 1 to 4 Hz in frequency. There is growing evidence that individuals may maintain a slightly conscious state while in delta.

All brainwave states serve important mental functions. However, research has shown that the natural, healthy alpha rhythm is very close to 10 Hz. In today’s lifestyle, the return to a peaceful, mind/body way of being has become difficult to achieve and maintain for any period of time. This difficulty causes disease, maladies and disorders in the body and mind.

How All of This Works With Massage

During massage, we are generally within the alpha brain wave state. A relaxed, eyes closed state of brain wave activity. This though does not happen the minute you hit the table. As you prepare for your massage you are still thinking about daily stresses we all live with. Bills to pay, rush hour, work, an argument. All of these things need to be set aside before your mind can truly reach alpha state, and this is not always easy.

Yet with Brain wave music, it is possible that all you would need to do is listen to music that is designed to create a specific brain wave pattern and within moments your brain could begin to reorganize and become much more efficient. With this new found focus you could be able to handle your daily stresses much more easily and efficiently.

Examples;

Beta
Let’s say you have a test coming up. You have been studying non-stop for weeks, you have been stressed and wish you could just relax. Well now, you would be able to receive a relaxing massage, or energy treatment while using the beta brain wave music, which is designed to help your mind  be more alert and focused. It is like a refresher that allows you to keep going helping you to again concentrate and refocus your energies on studying for the test.

Alpha
What if you just wanted to release the anxieties you have been carrying for weeks. What if you just wanted to relax? Why not try some alpha brain wave music. You can spend your “entire” massage, not just pieces of it, in a full deep meditative healing minds state. Not only will the massage help you heal and feel better, but alpha brain waves are designed to help you with this healing process.

Alpha/Theta
The alpha/theta state has one of the most fascinating facts I have ever learned. Alpha/theta as stated above is deep meditation, relaxation and helps with personal transformation. In many meditative practices the goal is to be able to root you to the earth and release many of your negative energies. What I found out during my studies is that while our alpha/theta brainwaves can fluctuate between 7 Hz and 8 Hz, the average Hz for planet earth is 7.83 Hz. What this means is we truly are able to attune our brain waves to the frequency of the earth. Something I have felt for years, but have never known the science behind it. Think of what could be accomplished with this ability.

Theta
What if you wanted to do some deep soul searching? Figure out a problem that has bothering you or even increase the creative part of your mind. Many of my clients use the massage table as a method of meditation on whatever they wish to work on. Now you have the opportunity to increase your ability to enter a truly deep meditative mind state. To use that subconscious part of us that wishes to speak but in our world tends not to be heard. This can help you reach the deeper parts of your own spirit, where deeper healing can be done.

Delta
Have you ever had problems with sleep? Have you ever tossed and turned in bed trying to quiet your mind so that it will just slow down, and allow you to sleep? Have you ever not slept for days? Imagine being able to set up a massage before bed. Then with the help of delta brain wave music cd's, which are designed to change the brain waves of your mind to a delta pattern. You could possibly not only relax the body enough for sleep but also change the mind to a delta state.  The same pattern your mind would be in if you were actually asleep.  There is nothing quite like a relaxed body, a quiet mind and a nice soft bed.

What I am offering you is a chance not only to get a great full body massage but also a brain massage. To begin a change in your life that has the ability to help with ALL aspects of your life, not just the physical. I am offering a method of relaxation that truly does bring in the physical, the mental and the spiritual. So thank you for reading this and remember this is only scratching the surface of what can be accomplished with brain wave entrainment. What I have written is a very broad view of this topic. I will be posting later, a more scientific document that will focus on the history of brain wave entrainment and research that has been conducted since the early 1900’s. Like I said brain wave entrainment is not new, adding brain wave entrainment to massage is just another way to use its special abilities to help you heal in a truly holistic way.

Thank you so very much, and please let me know what you think of this. Part of my job is to listen, and I would love to hear your thoughts.

Thank you
Brian Hicks
Licensed Massage Therapist
Banyan Tree Healing

The information contained in this post is a combination of my own experiences with the use of brain wave entrainment music and devices along with information from sites listed below.

http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/stress-symptoms/SR00008_D
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Parasympathetic_nervous_system
http://www.transparentcorp.com/products/np/history.php
http://www.hemi-sync.com/
http://www.neuroacoustic.com/index.html
http://www.mindpowernews.com/RetrainYourBrain.htm
http://www.myanxietycure.com/light-therapy-products-machines-and-equipment-reviews.html